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!

First of all, good job on making the line! It's gonna be a really fun time for you. In addition to what everyone has said above about learning the basics and the rudiments inside and out, you should also pay very close attention to what your band will be playing for shows. Listen to the songs if you can, maybe ask your director if he/she can find the recording of the marching arrangement for your use. Having the music in your head before (and during) playing it helps so much. Good luck this year!

Find the right practice schedual and be consistant, or practice every day. Get a good pad that you like playing on also think of the transfer from pad to drum and see the difference that you need to play on the drum. Should be more energy to play on the drum so if you can play on the drum as much as possible and use the pad when you can`t play the drum. Follow the advice you are recieving from the others here and take it a step further, practice what you can`t do well!

I like this topic

What I did in my Freshman year was found out a good schedule in which I could fit in practicing as much as possible. I think that was the most important thing. Also, ask for tips from your section leader or Instructor. that helped me a bunch.

Get to know your drum I know before I was in marching band I barely ever got to play anything other than a concert snare and the marching snare was pretty alien when I first picked it up. The rims were higher, the sticks were bigger, the heads could stop bullets, and it was much more loud and fun

Welcome!!!, That`s is why we like it because it is loud and fun!

practice when you can, it's all about finding the right balance between drumming and other aspects of life practice often, but not so much it turns into a chore, or it stops you from getting out with friends. most of all, enjoy yourself!!!

interesting_topic

Start from the bottom with technique (which ever you may use). Build up left hand in traditional but working out independence.. remember to start slow, drumming is muscle memory. Don't stress out your muscles in your arms and hands too much, drumming should have a relaxed approached.