WHS

Snare Drums

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Grips

Matched Grip description:
  • Palm is facing down (unlike timpani grip)
  • When holding the stick you should see a "V" shape between the thumb pad and the index finger
  • Firm grip, NOT tight
  • The fulcrum is created by the side of the index finger and thumb. The thumb should always be opposite of the index finger
  • All fingers should be curled around the sticks
  • Ring and pinky fingers should be curled around the stick for maximum control
  • Use the wrist with slight forearm motion as if knocking on a door
  • Grip should be the same whether you are in sticks in or playing position

Traditional Grip description (master matched grip BEFORE traditional grip):
  • Right hand maintains the same grip as matched grip
  • The hand should be held out with thumb on top
  • Place the stick between the base of the thumb and the first finger
  • The thumb should touch the side of the first finger on the first joint
  • Middle finger should bend slightly and rest on the side of the stick
  • The stick should rest around the first joint of the ring finger
  • Make sure the little finger has the same contour as the ring finger and the index finger. Curling the pinky finger too much can cause arm tension, so be careful!
  • Turn the wrist like twisting a door knob
  • The grip should remain the same when at "sticks in" or playing position

Playing Areas

The edge: good for soft passages
Halfway btw. center and edge: good resonance, less articulation
On the right edge over snare bed: same as edge with more response

Drum Height

Too High
Too Low
Juuuust Right

Stick Heights

**add slideshow to demonstrate appropriate heights pp.18-19

Basic Stroke Types

Legato Sticking:
  • Stick rebounds off of the drum head in a smooth motion
  • All fingers stay in contact with the stick as it rebounds
  • All fingers are relaxed
  • Do not pull the stick up, allow it to rebound naturally
Staccato Sticking:
  • Stick is stopped, after it makes contact with the drum head, by slightly squeezing with the fingers
  • All fingers stay in contact with the stick, stopping the stick after striking the drum
  • Squeezing the stick too hard will cause unnecessary tension in the hand and may cause the stick to "buzz" into the head
  • This stroke is primarily used for accents followed by taps or grace notes

Sticking Notation

R stands for using the Right stick and L stands for using the Left stick.
Picture
Picture
                           R ->                                                                   =                           R    R    R    R     R    R     R    R
Picture
Picture
                           R   L  ->                                                              =                          R    L    R    L      R    L     R    L

Changing Heads


Tuning

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  • HOME
  • CALENDAR OF EVENTS
  • CONCERT BAND
  • MARCHING BAND
  • MIXED CHOIR
    • Resources Choir
  • ORCHESTRA
  • MUSIC BOOSTERS
  • MUSIC LIBRARY
  • SUPPORT US
  • Winter Concert Program