TRIANGLE

TIMPANI

CYMBALS

CONDUCTOR

Watch subsequent issues of Overture as we explore more INSTRUMENTS of the orchestra !

• A snare drum has two heads , one on top with a slightly thinner head on the bottom .

• Coiled wire — the snare — is stretched over the bottom head , giving the instrument its distinctive , sharp sound .

• The bodies are made from metal , wood , or composite materials like fiberglass . The heads are usually made from plastic Mylar .

• Composers who have written prominent snare drum parts include Beethoven , Bartók , Prokofiev , Ravel , Rossini , Ellington , Shostakovich , Rimsky- Korsakov , Sousa , and more .

Rim Shell

Clutch

Drum Sticks

Bottom Head

Stand

Drum Head

Tension Rod

HISTORY OF THE SNARE DRUM

Early history : The snare drum ’ s ancestor , the medieval tabor , was most commonly used to accompany the fife in military settings . The heads were fashioned from calfskins , and the snares comprised of coiled gut .

Until the advent of radio , the snare drum was a primary vehicle for communicating orders to soldiers , although it competed with the bugle in the 18th and 19th centuries . These associations have led many composers to use the snare drum when evoking warlike musical imagery .

Modern History : The early 20th century saw increased technological innovation , pioneered by manufacturers like Ludwig & Ludwig . In particular , the rise of big band music by figures such as Duke Ellington resulted in numerous changes in construction . During WWII , when metal was scarce , it again became common for snare drums to have wooden bodies , and innovations continue to this day .

MAR-APR 2024 / OVERTURE 55