Notation and sound generation » snare drum » Philipp Dangas

Notation and sound generation of the snare drum

In principle, what was said about the sound generation of the bass drum applies. The dimensions of the snare drum are smaller than those of the bass drum. This applies to: the diameter and thickness of the skins and the height of the frame. As a result, the sound of the snare drum is significantly higher than that of the bass drum. The special "brightness" and "sharpness" of the sound is achieved by hitting the skin and by the effect of the "snare strings".

The function of the snare strings is to excite the rattling noise and bisect the resonant head. The snare drum sounds an octave higher with the snare strings tight than with the snare strings relaxed. The snare drum's beat spot is in the middle of the skin (in contrast to the timpani and bass drum). The piano and decrescendo are shifted to the edge.

The snare drum does not have the ability to resonate like that of the bass drum. The reason lies in their small dimensions and the rigidity of their skins. As a result, the phenomena of the aftertaste do not occur. The snare drum is notated on a single line without a preliminary drawing. The different types of beats are notated as with the timpani or bass drum.