Hey guys, this is my first post on this site, and it's nice to be here. About a month ago, I auditioned for my high school's drum line, and to my surprise, I'm a snare drummer. Right now I'm in eighth grade. Are there any tips or exercises I can do to prepare myself for the complex things I know are coming? Exercises beyond just stick height, grip, etc. I've got most of that down
Thanks

Welcome to DLO!
To begin, there's a TON of information deep in these forums that you can find useful. Here's a place that you can do some digging.

http://www.drumlines.org/threads/ubbthreads.php/forums/23/1/Snare_Playing.html

The best thing that you can do is work on the basics. Learn the exercises you need to know for that line, and in addition to that, work on timing exercises, if they're not already included in the packet. If you play 16th note and triplet timing and grid exercises, it will give you a basic foundation to build off of to play all season long.

Good luck to you, man.
B

One of the biggest problems that I see with young percussionists these days is their lack of knowledge of rudiments. I recommend working on rudiments and taking them slowly. People generally move too fast when it comes to rudiments and lack the foundation that they need as they progress. Make up exercises or take already existing exercises that have rudiments in them and work them up at multiple tempos. This will help you in not only your marching snare playing, but in the percussive world all around.

I completely agree with you Banddirector514. Mastering the rudiments, the PAS 40 essential rudiments, will give you the ability to play most anything.

Also Please master the basics; 8 on a hand, double beat/triple beat, triplet rolls, accent taps, and stick control.

Do yourself a favor and don't be like 87% of other snare drummers and start learning Ditty and Jedi knight right away.

When you do start learning music, easy or hard, Take it slow and break down every measure too its base rudiments and build from there.

That is the only way you will truly impress people and progress your playing.

i.e. - Every 16 year old with a practice pad can hack through rhythm X 2009 and think they're the coolest. But how many can put a clip on YouTube of triplet diddle with perfect timing and even diddle interpretation, or pristine paradiddles with inner beats and accents evenly spaced apart?

If you truly have an understanding of different strokes and the basics you can learn and play anything.

Happy drumming.

The biggest thing that I can tell you is stick to the basics. Make sure you know you have a firm grasp on the fundimentals (rhythms, technique, posture, timing) and also understanding what it is to play a accent (a legato accent, nice and relaxed, what a tap is (keeping the technique the same and just playing at your low end whether its an inch system or other)

Finally, make sure that you play everything rhythmically correct, whether its double stroke roles or some crazy flam passege. I mean our job is rhythms so you must always learn what the rhythm sounds like before you learn how the rudiment goes.

Playing rudiments is a great way to mature as a player but making sure the rhythm of each rudiment will truely take you to the next level

My suggestion would be practice you schools exercises, and rudiments in front of a mirror, or record yourself. This will help you identify flaws in technique, and stick heights, especially with stick control exercises. Another piece of advice is practice EVERYTHING with a metronome. There is nothing worse than a snare drummer with poor timing, trust me, I was one of them until I started practicing with one.

Thanks a ton guys, I've had a couple more practices since I posted this. I can already see how what you say will help. Also, my school plays with matched grip. But would it be smart to learn to play with traditional grip too?

Up to you honestly. Do you want to learn traditional? Are you going to take the time to learn it correctly? Is learning this going to distract you from you responsibilities on your drum line? If you can commit the time and maintain the independence to learn it correct and not neglect your stuff, then go for it! Just remember to get your notes learned, cleaned, and mastered before you start learning other things. In my opinion, matched grip is superior, but traditional is more fun. Happy drumming man!

I would have to say the biggest thing is master the Traditional Grip if your school is using it. Also I would say look at yourself and your playing skills and set a goal for your self to reach by the end of your first year

Hey bud! Congrats on making snare as a freshman! Like the previous posts, I strongly suggest practicing the basics as much as possible. Rudiments are extemly important as well, so be sure to spend lots of time on those too.
I'm assuming your High School uses traditional grip, so you should really try working out your left hand. Practice some accent taps to make sure you can get those accents up at tempo.
Good luck this coming season!