The Shell: Snare Drum Series

Think about this: What is the most important drum that you play? Some of you would say the kick drum beacuse it keeps the beat. Most would probably agree that toms are not necessary, since some of you drummers out there play with the hi-hat, snare and kick drum alone. Most people would also agree that the snare drum is the more worthy candidate.

For the purpose of this post series, and in my own opinion (which you may agree with), I find the snare drum to be the most important piece to the drum kit.

I'm not necessarily portraying the snare drum as the foundation, although it is used in some situations and some styles of music as the back beat (instead of the kick drum). Rather, I am placing this significant importance because it is the largest defining piece that distinguishes you, as a drummer, from another drummer besides the applicaion (what and how a drummer plays his/her drums).

To find your unique voice through your snare drum you have to know what sound you like or love. This is extremely important to know, otherwise it will be difficult to determine what specifications are needed to create your sound.

Today, I will expose to you the different types of shells, as well as the differences between each one. I will also share about how the depth and the width effect the tone, all to help you find the right pieces for the right sound, your sound.

Types of shells:

Wood:

There are many different types of wood (including exotic woods) making the selection seemingly endless. For this post, I will discuss the more well-known wood shells that are used.

- Maple

Probably the most popular and versatile snare shells that just about every company offers. The shells gives a warm tone with an equal amount of high and mid range tones as well as warm low tones. A maple snare can be used for all applications because of it's wide range of tone. Want a convenient snare drum with a good sound? This is probably the one.

- Birch

This will put a crack in your jam. Birch snares have magnified highs and lows causing this snare to fill the room with its crisp tone. This snare is good for situations where the drums presence is defining and volume is necessary.

- Beech

Beech is a "hybrid" between maple and birch, having the overall good tone (like the maple) and the high volume (like the birch). The difference is more punch for the lower tones. It's not as common for drummers. In fact, I didn't even know beech wood was actualy used to make drums.

- Oak

Oak is presented as a round drum, having a more even amount of highs, mids, and lows. It also has a short decay. In other words, the amount of time it takes for the drum to go silent after hitting it is considerably smaller. It gives more of a thud than a tone.

- Mahogany

Turns out, that this was the norm for drums. Big fat drums. Sounds like the '70s and '80s. Mahogany give off boosted lows and mids and a lot of resonance. This type of shell offers a great punch with a classic sound.

- Poplar

This wood is more of an entry level shell because the poplar tree goes quickly. With a fast growth rate comes a larger supply allowing the price to be much lower. It's cheaper but not necessarily a low quality sound. The wood offers softer highs and mids, but gives greater lows.

There are many other types of wood out there, as well as hybrids (the combination of different woods, as well as wood with other materials). Want something other than the options here? Keep searching by investigating the different types of woods.

Metal:

- Steel

Steel shells are cheap to make making this a common and more entry-level shell. It gives off a cutting sound that can pierce through louder music. This is your all-purpose metal snare shell.

- Brass

Brass shells are very unique. The shell offers a crisp sound but also offers a warn tone. The sound is a mixture of a metal and a wood shell. Since it is a metal snare, it will be loud, cutting through the music and giving the drums more of a presence.

- Aluminum

This metal shell is much more dry than the rest. It's resonance and tone are dead and short-lasting. However, aluminum shells are loud, crisp, and sensitive. Its sensitivity offers a large variety of dynamics, picking up the ghost notes and pronouncing the accents. Since the snare is so dry, there is less demand for dampening.

- Copper

Warm. Copper snares have muted highs and a powerful mid-range. This is definitely a more musical snare because, although it's metal, copper snares are not as powerful and cutting like other metal snares.

- Bronze

Bronze, like copper, is musical in its application. Compared to copper, its actually warmer in tone with muted highs and powerful mids and lows. These shells, however are not as common and can be hard to find. If this is your sound, look hard, they're out there.

- Titanium

Titanium shells have boosted highs and mids, however, the low ends are muted. This shell is also not as common but it is out there. If you want a snare drum with a little bounce or spring, this is the shell for you.

My hope is that when you take a look at these descriptions, you can narrow down your snare selection based on what your unique voice calls for. Take into consideration the style that you play, but also your personal prefrence so you can stand out.

If you have any questions send me an email at dexter.verrill@gmail.com or by using the contact form on the website, STIX Drumming Instructing.

Stay tuned for more in this series of post about the snare drum. Want me to cover something about snare drums? Send me that email.

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