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What’s the Best Snare Drum for a Beginner?

Some great beginner snares at a glance:

Product	Feature Image	Editor’s Rating	Relative Price
#1 Best Beginner Snare Drum Mendini Student Snare Drum Set with Gig Bag		4.6 / 5	$$$
#2 Best Budget Snare Snare Drum by Griffin		4.1 / 5	$$
#3 Best Alternative Choice ADM Student Snare Drum Set		4.4 / 5	$$$

Snare drums are an essential part of any drum kit as they dictate the tempo of the drum solo. A good snare drum that’s properly set up also serves as a timing tool that drummers use effectively.

Find great deals on snare drums at Sweetwater.com! >>

The good student snare drum, in actuality, goes beyond the drum kit as a whole. It can be played on its own, with a pair of cymbals, or slung over shoulder and played in a marching band.

The list of uses that a snare drum has, the scenarios and musical arrangement to which it can fit in is not necessarily broad, but they are enough to justify starting your drum set with the best snare drum kit that money can buy.

Some of them come packaged with drumsticks, stands and even cymbals.

Top 3 Best Snare Drums For Beginners: Thrumming Up A Storm!

1. Best Snare Drum for Beginners: Mendini Student Snare Drum Set

Over 900 Reviews

The Mendini Student Snare Set is another beginners drum kit that comes with a stand and a pair of wooden drumsticks. This student snare drum kit comes with the following features:

• Standard Sizing

The Mendini Snare measures 14″ x 5.5″ which is the regulation size for snare drums.

• Regulation Stand

This snare drum comes with a 30-inch stand with ten lugs. This is the average height for snare drum stands that fit users of all ages.

• Rubber Practice Pad

The Mendini Snare Drum comes with a rubber padding that mutes the sound of you practicing late at night.

• Adjustable Neck Strap

This snare drum kit also comes with an adjustable neck strap for carrying the snare out into the field.

• Padded Backpack

The Mendini Snare Drum comes with a padded gig bag that lets you bring it anywhere.

Mendini Student Snare Drum Set Key Points

What are Mendini Student Snare Drum Owners Saying? >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: http://www.ceciliomusic.com

About: The Mendini brand is manufactured by Cecilio. Based in California, Cecilio provides musical instruments that inspire musical talent with quality and value.

2. Best Budget Snare: Griffin Snare Drum

Over 100 Reviews

The Griffin Snare Drum is a student’s snare kit that is designed with a poplar wood shell and glossy finish. It comes with a pair of wooden sticks as well as the following key features:

• Quality Materials and Finish

This snare drum by Griffin is made using 3-ply, 7.5-mm poplar wood as the exterior shell and a glossy PVC finish.

• Regulation Size

The snare drum itself measures 14″ x 5.5″ and can fit in any standard drum set.

• Eight Tuning Lugs

The Griffin Snare Drum comes with tuning lugs that let you tune it without any hitch.

• Smooth Throw Off

This snare drum comes with a quiet drum throw off that lets you tighten or loosen the snares to your preference.

Griffin Snare Drum Key Points

Are Griffin Snare Drum Buyers Happy? >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: https://griffin-stands.com/

About: The Griffin brand is built upon reliable service, economical products, and top-notch customer service. Griffin aspires to build its reputation upon reliability, in turn earning respect among new customers and a relationship with repeat customers.

3. Best Alternative Choice: ADM Student Snare Drum Set

Over 400 Reviews

The ADM Student Snare Drum Set is a beginners drum kit that comes with a 14″ x 5″ steel snare drum. Some of its key features include:

• Chrome Finish

ADM Snare Drum comes with a hairline nickel finish which adds to the responsiveness of this student’s drum.

• Standard Size

The drum itself is measured like any full-sized drum which can provide a positive real-drum experience for student drummers. The included stand is measured at 19 inches, adding the drum makes the total height at 26 inches, the standard height for snare drums in professional drum kits.

• Rubber Practice Pad

This ADM Snare Drum comes with a rubber practice pad which reduces the sound produced making it ideal for practicing at home or any other area where reduced noise is required.

• Adjustable Shoulder Straps

ADM Snare Drum comes with soft straps that can be adjusted to fit any body type.

• Padded Backpack

This drum comes in a portable, padded backpack that lets you carry the snare kit around, be it to a gig or band practice.

ADM Snare Pros and Cons

ADM Student Snare Drum Set Review

What Do ADM Student Snare Owners Think? >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: http://www.alldaysmusic.com/

About: At All Days Music, our mission is to deliver a better value for your investment.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Out of the three listed snare drum kits, the Mendini Student Snare Drum is the clear option when it comes to producing great-quality sound while sporting a classic black finish.

The eight lugs let you tune this snare drum quickly and easily, while the heads are made of quality membranes that respond beautifully to the sticks.

The throw-off is a nice addition as it allows you to tighten, loosen, and even mute the sound as you go.

Snare drums offer a characteristic beat to any song. If you love a good rhythm, then learn how to play and master it at any age as it is the gateway instrument to the amazing world of percussion.

What are you waiting for? Pick up a pair of sticks and start hitting that beat!

Our #1 Pick!

Mendini Student Snare Drum

What Do Mendini Student Snare Owners Think? >>

Editor’s Rating:

4.7

How To Set Up A Snare Drum

A drum set is never complete without a snare drum. This musical tool, although often on the sidelines, has such a vital role to play in making great sounds or music. But what does a snare drum do exactly?

What are its components? Is it difficult to learn how to set up a snare drum? If you are new to the world of drums, then here is a basic guide on the snare drum.

What Is a Snare Drum?

A snare drum, also popularly known as a side drum, produces sharp staccato sound when it is hit with a drumstick or mallet.

It is part of the drum kit of drumlines, marching bands, concert and rock bands, and parades.

It consists of two drum heads which are made from either animal hides or plastic.

It is the smallest drum of any drum set. As mentioned, one only needs a drumstick or a mallet to play the snare drum.

A snare drum is often placed on an adjustable stand. This allows the musician to adjust the angle of the drum as well as its height.

The Snare Drum’s Components

The drums, including the snare, have different parts.

• Snare Wires

It is called a snare drum because it has somewhere between eight to 18 snares made of plastic, nylon, sill, and metal that are extended across the drum’s head.

These snares are the ones responsible for creating terse sounds.

• Shell

Contrary to popular belief, the shell is more than just an enclosure as it greatly affects the sounds. Shells are usually made of mixed or single wood species such as mahogany, birch, maple, ash, and poplar.

A snare drum’s shell material can also be from metals like bronze steel, brass, and aluminum.

The kind of material used for the shell also affects the sounds produced by the instrument.

• Hoops or Rims

Most snare drums these days have triple-flange metal hoops or die-cast. The former allows the drummer to ring longer thus producing more overtones and get better snare sensitivity.

On the other hand, the die-cast hoops offer a sturdier feel, particularly for loud rimshots. They also normally make the drum produce fewer overtones.

There are also snare drums on the market that use wooden hoops, which tend to warm-up the sounds. Wooden hoops also change the spectrum of the overtones.

• Tension Rods and Lugs

A snare drum either has a tension rod or lugs, and the design of the tensioning system greatly affects the sound the drum produces. Most snare drums on the market use the lug design.

These designs are either tube lugs or split lugs. The former means there is less contact of the metal with the shell, which improves the sustain and gives a slightly different sound.

Split lugs, on the other hand, have more contact with the drum’s shells.

• Heads

There are many options when it comes to the head. There are single- and double-ply coated batter heads and pre-muffled models.

• Snare Beds

The snares would be uncontrollable and buzzy if there are no snare beds as it is a crucial yet subtle part of the drum.

It is the part of the drum that allows the snare wires to lie flat against the drum head.

What Should You Look for In a Snare Drum Stand?

Before learning how to set up a snare drum, one must first choose the best stand possible for the instrument.

Failure to procure a good stand may cause difficulties in playing the drum really well.

There are different designs to choose from when purchasing a snare drum set stand.

There is the basket-style, classic three-leg style, and L-Styles. In choosing a snare drum stand, one has to keep in mind the positioning of the player.

After all, it would be hard to play in one gig to another if the musician is in an uncomfortable position for most times.

• Adjustable Basket

The first thing to look for is a stand with an adjustable basket or a basket that can easily be resized using a single wingnut to fit a variety of snare drums.

Most snare drum stands on the market have this feature. However, some products are easier to adjust compared to others.

• Universal Basket Tilter

It is also essential to find a stand that has the universal and gearless basket tilter. Having this feature allows the player to fine-tune the exact position of the snare drum easily for ease of hitting.

Most mid- to professional-grade snare drum stands have the gearless friction tilters these days.

• Adjustable Dimensions

Finding a stand that has the width and height adjustment is also beneficial.

Keep in mind that the stand has to be able to go low enough for those with a deep snare or high enough for those with a piccolo.

For those who often play in cramped spaces, it is best to have a snare drum stand with adjustable width.

How To Quickly Set Up A Snare Drum

Setting up a snare drum and attaching it to a stand are easy. It is advisable first to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the stand to ensure a fast set-up.

The first step in setting-up a snare drum is to remove the drum from its case. Once done, set-up the stand. Make sure that the stand is stable on the floor while the snare drum’s basket is parallel to the floor.

Slowly place the snare drum to the stand. The snares must be on the bottom while the release lever is facing in front of you.

Gently adjust the drum’s basket to ensure that it is fitted well and not moving.

Look for the drum’s height adjustment so that the snare’s top rim is slightly below the waistline.

Use the angle adjuster to tilt the drum a little bit towards you. Now, grab the two drumsticks and stand straight in front of the drum.

Your forearms should be almost parallel to the floor as you bend your arms at the elbows.

The upper arms must be close to your sides but never touching it. If this is not the case, then proceed to adjust the drum again using the angle adjuster.

No Rocket Science Required

Understanding what a snare drum is and how to set it up is not rocket science. The comfort and position of the player are the things to keep in mind when choosing a snare drum stand as well as in setting it up.

Percussion Has Been Around Forever, But Who Invented The Modern Drum Set As We Know It?

Percussion as a musical discipline has been around for quite a while – to say the least – being used in operas and orchestras for literally hundreds of years.

Modern drums as we know them were originally used by the military to keep the marching rhythm, giving soldiers a tune to sync with during training.

Whoever invented a drum set for the first time basically combined existing elements into an accessible and comfortable layout.

But that’s still very far ahead. Originally, snare drums and cymbals were used by individuals, who were all playing the same tune. This was practical, since playing one instrument allowed them to keep in line with the other soldiers or marching bands.

In time, though, the popularity of marching bands has really dropped. People probably got tired of trombone and trumpet music.

A European man of the 13th century is the first who invented a drum set element—the snare drum. While the name of the man is unknown, the precursor for the modern-day snare drum was a wooden-body drum, fitted with a wire on the membrane to create a rattling sound.

Still, percussion instruments usage wasn’t confined to marching bands and the military, since snare drums and cymbals are just the tips of the iceberg when it comes to the true percussion arsenal.

Timpani, for instance, is a big drum, made using copper cases and calfskin membranes and is used in orchestras.

This sound differs a lot from that of the snare drum, as it acts a lot more like a bass drum, whereas the snare is more of a mid-range instrument. Timpani has also tuned instruments, so they can be adjusted to play different notes.

Because of their dynamic range and a big presence, they’ve been largely used in orchestras. The instrument can be best heard and recognized in Carl Orff’s iconic first Act of Carmina Burana.

The 20th Century: A Big Leap towards Modern Day Music

As the music progressed, the industry has started focusing more on catchy, rather than impressive. Big orchestras were great for hymns and monumental masterpieces, but these are hardly useful in playing rudimentary songs, meant for casual listeners.

While there were a lot of different percussion elements and instruments, it was very impractical for one to fit big elements, especially bass drums, into a single kit.

That being said, a lot of people felt the need for a compact percussion kit to fit into modern day bands of the time. The 20th century has started treating already-existing musical instruments in an unconventional way.

One of the best examples of this is the bass viol, which is clearly meant to be played by using a fiddlestick.

But the continuous bass sound wasn’t in line with the current vision, and modern bass lines started developing into more of a rhythmic element, rather than a truly musical one.

To adjust to the industry, bands started to quickly gain popularity in the modern world, as opposed to orchestras. Jazz, for instance, is one of the first genres of music that recognized the importance of percussion instruments in bands.

Jazzmen have started to see that the bass viol bassline could be complemented by a percussion element.

1909: The Year of the Bass Drum

In the early 20th century, a man with a vision managed to solve the biggest problem that was stopping musicians from making a drum kit — an easy solution to integrate a bass drum into a somewhat compact drumming kit.

William Ludwig: The First Man Who Invented a Drum Set Solution

In 1909, William Ludwig invented the bass drum pedal. This is a chain-action accessory that allows the musician to hit the center of the membrane with a stick without being awkwardly positioned.

In the span of 50 years, the music industry evolved more than in the past hundreds of years, the drum pedal being a not too modest contributor to the change.

Percussion has since become one of the foundations of the modern day band. While jazz didn’t actually make much use of the bass drum, since it was too powerful for this mellow genre, it did bring the idea of a drumkit to the table.

Other musicians merely noticed that a bass drum would vastly improve the overall tone of their music style.

The 1960’s: A Big Contribution to Modern-day Music

A lot of events have taken place over the 50 years that separate the invention of the drum pedal and the cultural explosion that has taken over the 1960’s.

Elvis became a big cultural icon, bringing more fast-paced, blue-collar music to the mainstream. In doing so, he also popularised rock’n’roll, a cultural phenomenon which belonged to the African American community prior to the King.

In the 1960’s, England has also seen a musical revolution. Due to the rapid shift in musical trends, The Beatles have gained a notorious reputation as one of the best bands of the world, something which wouldn’t have been possible 15 years before their time.

Considered by some as being controversial, The Beatles have managed to improve the rock’n’roll genre even more, as well as the use of the bass drum.

How the Modern Band Started to Shape Out

Over the next 20 years, the fact that the electric guitar, bass, and drums were basically a staple of any successful band has contributed to different variants of this basic setup.

This resulted in a lot more genres, and a lot more variations creating great professional drum sets. Metal, in particular, has made arguably the most use out of the bass drum.

Because of the fast-tempo nature of metal songs, a lot of drummers have deemed one pedal as insufficient, adding another drum and pedal combo to the setup and playing blazing-fast rhythms which electrified crowds all over the world.

Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica—all big names who further added start power to the drummer’s name.

Final Thoughts on Drums and Modern Music

Today, instruments are still used in producing music, but not at the same extent. Technology has made an instrument of itself, with synthesizers slowly gaining ground over traditional bass and drum sounds.

Today, rhythm is merely kept by lines of code highly-distorted sounds. Tech music is slowly gaining ground over the traditional band, which is the natural evolution of events in the music industry.

That being said, the modern drum kit is still getting plenty of work, live bands being hailed as the true form of music over the world. Hip-hop, all genres of metal and even pop music use the drum kit, launching hit after hit, year after year.