The side drum, colloquially known as the snare drum, is an essential percussive instrument with a presence as striking as its sharp, crisp sound. This instrument boasts a cylindrical shape with a drumhead on both its top and bottom, differentiated by its defining feature: the snares. These are metal wires or synthetic cables stretched across the bottom head, which vibrate against it when the top head is struck, producing a unique, bright sound that can punctuate music with rhythmic precision and articulate dynamics.
Historically, the side drum has roots deeply embedded in the military and ceremonial music of ancient civilizations, evolving through centuries from the tabor and medieval drums. It was an indispensable communication tool on the battlefield, with its penetrating sound cutting through the noise to issue commands and signals. As a cultural artifact, it traveled across continents, adopted and adapted by various cultures, reflecting the distinctive musical traditions and practices of each society.
Side Drum History
The side drum, with its sharp report and military bearing, has roots that extend back to antiquity. Its earliest incarnations were essential to the communicative and ritualistic fabric of early societies. These drums, made from hollowed logs and animal hides, were the ancestors of the medieval tabor — a drum played alongside a pipe for musical accompaniment in Europe.
Its martial legacy was cemented on Renaissance battlefields as the side drum’s design evolved to include multiple snares, enhancing its acoustic projection. Serving both as a rhythmic backbone for marching soldiers and a signaling device during combat, the drum was integral to military life. Its role was so pivotal that it became a symbol of regimental identity, with units emblazoning their drums with colors and insignias.
With advancements in military technology, the drum’s communicative role on the battlefield diminished, but its musical journey blossomed. It transitioned into orchestral settings during the Baroque era, gaining prominence for its dynamic versatility and the precise punctuations it could lend to a score. In band music, particularly with the rise of brass and wind ensembles, the side drum’s steady beat became foundational.
Thus, the side drum evolved from a battlefield instrument to a versatile staple in various musical traditions, from the precise strokes of classical music to the syncopated rhythms of jazz, mirroring the side drum’s capacity for both evolution and endurance.
Side Drum Construction
The construction of the side drum is a study in precision and acoustic science. Its main components include the shell, heads, tension rods, snares, and hoops.
Shell: The shell is the body of the drum and is usually cylindrical. Traditionally made from wood like maple or mahogany for warmth and resonance, modern drums might also use metals like brass or aluminum for sharpness and attack, or even acrylic for visual flair and a punchier sound.
Heads: The two heads of the drum, the batter head on top and the resonant head on the bottom, are typically made from animal skin or synthetic materials. The batter head is thicker for durability, while the resonant head is thinner to respond to the snares’ vibrations.
Tension Rods: These rods screw into the lugs on the shell and are used to tighten or loosen the drum heads, adjusting the pitch and tone. The even distribution of tension is crucial for a well-balanced sound.
Snares: Positioned against the bottom head, snares are key to the side drum’s distinctive sound. These can be made of metal coils or gut and can be adjusted for sensitivity and response.
Hoops: Metal or wooden hoops are used to secure the heads to the shell, held in place by the tension rods. The hoop’s material and design contribute to the drum’s overall tone and sustain.
Materials play a pivotal role in the drum’s characteristics. Wooden shells offer a warmer, more rounded sound, while metal shells provide a brighter tone with more cut. Similarly, the choice of animal or synthetic heads affects the warmth, sustain, and projection of the drum.
Craftsmanship in drum-making is both an art and a science, requiring a deep understanding of materials and acoustics. Traditional drum-making might involve steam-bending wood for shells or hand-selecting calfskin for heads, while modern drum-making has embraced technological advancements for precision and consistency. Regardless of the methods used, the goal remains the same: to create an instrument that meets the rigorous demands of dynamic and tonal quality.
Playing Techniques
The technique of playing the side drum is a refined skill that requires dexterity, control, and an understanding of the instrument’s idiosyncrasies.
Grip and Stance: The most common grips for holding the drumsticks are the traditional grip, where the left hand holds the stick with an underhand grip, and the matched grip, where both hands hold the sticks overhand. The traditional grip evolved from the need to play a tilted drum, which was once slung over the shoulder on the battlefield, while the matched grip is often favored for its symmetrical application of force. Stance is also crucial, with players typically standing or sitting upright for optimal control and endurance.
Strokes: Basic strokes on the side drum include the full stroke, which allows the stick to rebound off the head, the down stroke, which stops the stick against the head to control resonance, and the up stroke, which positions the stick for subsequent notes. These fundamental strokes form the building blocks for more complex patterns.
Traditional Rudiments: Rudiments are patterns of stickings that serve as the basic vocabulary for drumming technique. They include single strokes, double strokes, and various rolls, flams, and paradiddles. Each rudiment has its specific use, with some providing the foundation for rock beats, while others lend themselves to the intricate patterns of marching band music. The mastery of these rudiments is crucial for a drummer’s fluency and versatility.
Cultural and Genre Styles: The playing style of the side drum varies widely across cultures and music genres. In marching bands, players often use a high-tension snare drum to achieve a crisp sound, executing precise and intricate rhythms. In orchestral settings, the technique is more focused on dynamics and expression. Jazz drummers, on the other hand, use a looser snare tension for a “wetter” sound and often play with brushes or rods instead of sticks. The development of rock and pop has seen drummers incorporate a mix of rudiments and strokes to create energetic and driving beats that underpin modern music.
Each style requires a nuanced approach to the side drum, blending the fundamental techniques with the expressive demands of the music, illustrating the instrument’s broad range and adaptability.
The Side Drum in Military and Marching Bands
Military History Role: The side drum has been a vital component of military history, primarily for its use as a signaling device in battle. The drum’s sharp, piercing sound could cut through the chaos of war, allowing commanders to issue orders and synchronize movements. In the days before radio communication, the side drum’s rhythms conveyed complex signals that could be heard over long distances, functioning as an aural beacon for troops.
Modern-Day Significance: Today, the side drum holds a ceremonial and symbolic place in military and marching bands. It no longer serves its original communicative purpose on the battlefield but has become an emblem of martial tradition and discipline. In modern military bands, side drums contribute to the pageantry and spectacle of parades and official functions, often leading the procession with their rhythmic beats.
Repertoire and Ceremonial Duties: The repertoire for military side drumming is rich with traditional marches and calls, each piece often associated with specific movements and procedures. Drummers must perform with exact precision, as their timing and rhythm are key to the ceremonial aspects of military displays. Bugle calls and drum beats such as “Reveille,” “Retreat,” and “Taps” are integral to military life, signaling the start and end of the official day and honoring fallen soldiers.
In marching bands, the side drum underpins the music played during performances at sporting events, cultural celebrations, and public displays. The music is typically lively and rhythmic, designed to keep the band moving in unison and to entertain onlookers. The side drum’s role in these bands is both foundational and featured, with solo passages showcasing the drummer’s skill and the instrument’s distinctive sound.
Across both military and marching bands, the side drum is a percussive force that brings order, excitement, and tradition to the proceedings, echoing its historical roots while maintaining its relevance in contemporary ceremonies.
The Side Drum in Orchestral Music
Usage in an Orchestra: Within an orchestra, the side drum is a staple of the percussion section, its role pivoting between rhythmic support and dynamic accentuation. It often provides the backbone for rhythm, working in tandem with other percussion instruments to create a rich tapestry of sound. The side drum can deliver sharp, punctuated notes that drive the rhythm, or it can blend into the overall texture of the music, adding color and depth with softer rolls and beats.
Famous Orchestral Pieces: Several orchestral pieces have highlighted the side drum, demonstrating its musical versatility. Ravel’s “Boléro” features a snare drum rhythm that is both insistent and central to the piece’s gradual build-up. Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 7,” known as the “Leningrad Symphony,” uses the side drum to evoke a sense of marching and impending doom. In Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” the side drum provides a rhythmic foundation that complements the majestic brass themes.
Conveying Rhythm and Dynamics: The side drum’s ability to convey rhythm and dynamics in ensemble settings is unparalleled. It can articulate the subtleties of a quiet passage with a gentle brushing of the snares or define the climax of a piece with a thunderous roll. Composers often use the drum to highlight rhythmic motifs, to signal transitions in the music, or to provide contrast and emphasis. In softer passages, the side drum may add a layer of rhythmic complexity with a light touch, while in louder sections, it can assert the beat with commanding strokes.
In every orchestral piece it graces, the side drum stands out as an instrument of nuance and power, capable of both blending seamlessly into the background and stepping into the spotlight to shape the music’s character.
The Side Drum in Contemporary Music
Incorporation Across Genres: The side drum has transcended its traditional confines, permeating a vast array of contemporary music genres. In rock and pop, it often lays down the backbeat, critical to the genre’s signature sound. Jazz musicians have elevated the side drum to a vehicle for improvisation, exploiting its tonal range to create intricate, syncopated rhythms. In hip-hop and electronic music, the snappy sound of the snare drum is sampled and looped, providing a sharp counterpoint to the bass.
Innovative and Experimental Uses: Contemporary musicians continually push the boundaries of the side drum’s capabilities. It’s not uncommon to find drummers using brushes, rods, or even their hands to elicit unconventional sounds from the drum. Extended techniques, such as using the rim of the drum for clicks or playing on the side of the shell, have also been employed to great effect. In more avant-garde circles, performers have incorporated electronic triggers on their side drums, blending acoustic and electronic sounds to create new sonic landscapes.
Influence on Modern Percussion and Design: The side drum has profoundly influenced modern percussion techniques and the design of drum kits. Its size and tuning range have been modified for specific music styles, like the piccolo snare with its high-pitched crack used in funk and reggae, or deeper snares for a lower, fat backbeat in rock and R&B. Additionally, electronic drum pads often feature samples of acoustic side drums, allowing for a vast array of sounds that can be manipulated with the touch of a button.
The side drum’s journey from the orchestral pit and military parades to the forefront of contemporary music is a testament to its versatility and enduring appeal. It continues to inspire innovation among musicians, serving both as a bridge to the past and a canvas for modern musical expression.
Cultural Significance
Cultural Expressions, Festivals, and Ceremonies: The side drum resonates with cultural significance, often featured in traditional dances, parades, and festivals. In many cultures, the drum’s rhythms are integral to celebrations, marking the pulse of festivities and symbolizing communal unity. For example, in New Orleans, side drums are a staple in second-line parades, embodying the vibrant spirit of the city and its music. During cultural ceremonies, the side drum can be a harbinger of solemnity, as seen in remembrance events where its roll adds gravity and respect to the occasion.
Symbolic Meanings: Across different societies, the side drum carries varied symbolic meanings. It can represent the heartbeat of a community, a call to action, or a voice of authority. In some cultures, the side drum is imbued with deeper spiritual or ancestral significance, serving as a medium for communication with the divine or the past. It can also symbolize martial prowess and order, a vestige of its military heritage.
Preservation of Traditional Methods: There is a concerted effort to preserve traditional side drumming techniques, recognizing them as a valuable aspect of cultural heritage. This includes not only the playing styles but also the methods of drum construction, which are often passed down through generations. Organizations and educational institutions often provide workshops and classes to teach these time-honored techniques, ensuring that the historical and cultural essence of the side drum is kept alive.
The side drum’s ubiquity in cultural contexts underscores its role as more than an instrument—it is a vessel for history, identity, and tradition. Whether it’s in the hands of a solo drummer at a solemn ceremony or part of a boisterous ensemble at a festival, the side drum continues to be a powerful conduit for cultural expression.
Maintenance and Care
Best Practices: Maintaining a side drum involves regular care to ensure it performs at its best. The drumhead should be kept clean from dust and oils, which can be wiped away with a soft, dry cloth. Tension rods and hardware require periodic checks to ensure they are tight and functional, as loose parts can affect sound and may even cause damage during play. The snares should be checked for proper alignment and tension to maintain the drum’s crisp sound.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting: A common issue with side drums is the detuning of heads, often caused by environmental changes like humidity and temperature. Regular tuning is essential to counteract this. Another frequent problem is snare buzz, which can occur when the snares are too loose or too tight; adjusting the snare tension can usually remedy this. If the drum starts to produce an unusual or dull sound, it may be time to replace the heads, which is a normal part of drum maintenance due to wear and tear.
Proper Storage and Handling: To preserve sound quality, proper storage and handling of the side drum are crucial. The drum should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment to prevent warping and detuning. Avoid exposing the drum to prolonged direct sunlight or damp conditions. When transporting the drum, using a padded case can protect it from knocks and drops. Additionally, periodic inspections by a professional can help maintain the drum’s integrity and sound quality over time.
Consistent upkeep of the side drum not only ensures the longevity of the instrument but also guarantees that its sound remains as resonant and dynamic as intended. Proper care is a testament to a musician’s dedication to their craft and respect for the history and artistry embodied in the instrument.