If you are a beginner at drumming, you will soon discover that the snare drum is the mitochondria or rather the workhouse of your drum set. Also, with your bass drum, you will most likely hit these drums more than any other drum on your set. Therefore, understanding the types uses, and nuances of your back-beater are very crucial.

This article will quip the essential background, uses, sizes, and different applications of snare drums. Snare Drums are a vital part of a drum set; they are used to keep tempo in a band. As a novice, you might have noticed that the drum kit is made up of various components, and every one of them has its unique tone, but none of them can be compared to a snare drum. 

What is a Snare Drum?

A snare drum is a component of a drummer's kit which is used in orchestral and bands. It is made up of two drumheads with varying materials. People tend to call it a side drum because it is placed to one side of the hanging tome. Also, it appears to be the smallest drum in the set. 

Snare Drum gives a sharp staccato sound when it's stuck with a beater of any kind. It produces a definite pitch that many drummers tried to avoid before, but they've now found it necessary for various tracks. Perhaps, it's the most versatile component of a drum kit. There are numerous types of snare drums in the market; let's check them out one after the other. 

The Various Types of The Snare Drum:

 1. Piccolo Snare Drums: These are shallower and often used in drum kits for hip-hop and R&B. They give a note to the high frequency and a faster response time due to their structure.

2. Pipe Band Snare Drum: They're used in pipe bands and help to accompany pipe tunes like those of the bagpipes. Playing a pipe band might be quite a tedious task, and it requires a lot of practice and talent on your part.

3. Marching Snare Drum: As suggested by their names, they're used in marching bands. They possess much louder sounds than the orchestral, and they are usually in high tension. Kevlar construction is included on their heads. Hence, they have a sturdy and reliable design, making them the perfect snare drums for any outdoor occasion.

4. Field Snare Drums: They are preferable during the concert, orchestral, and some other ensembles; they have a large diameter and greater depths, giving a deep and resonating sound.

5. Drum Set Snare Drum: These are the most common snare drums; they are composed of a single-ply batter head with a wooden or metallic shield. Nonetheless, they are the perfect fit for all kinds of drum kits; they also have a large diameter which lends them a flat sound.

6. Concert/Orchestral Snare Drum: They are majorly used for concerts and orchestras. Their heads are made up of a metal cable as a snare and a calf skin-type batter. They're used with a significant amount of damping to give a special note.

However, snare drums can also be classified based on their size. Each of these sizes has its own unique importance. Let's quickly check out them, also with their uses in a drum kit.  

Type of Snare Drum, Based on Size & Uses: 

The size of a drum determines the stylistic appeal and the specific snare drum will have: 

Small Size: Small drums generally have a higher pitch; these follow some theory in wave properties of musical instruments. This makes them the most suitable and perfect choice for artists in drum 'n' bass, hip hop, and R&B music. They have quite an intrinsic sound to these styles. 

Medium Size: They possess the perfect balance between the pitch and the body. They help in giving steadiness and rhyme to music; many drummers in hip hop prefer this. 

Large Size: They have a bigger structure, and they're deeper. Hence, they give a deeper sound, introducing more drama to the music. They're the perfect choice for ballads and musicals. 

However, based on the analysis, these are just simple generalizations. Many factors determine the specific type and use of snare drums. 

Conclusion-

Snare drums are a very crucial part of a drum kit. These add a beat and help create a tempo for another instrument in all kinds of applications. Finally, choosing the perfect snare drum is entirely up to you; on the other hand, you can search for their various applications, which will help you choose the right one!