The Physics of the Unique Sound of Snare Drums

Snare drums fall into the category of percussion instruments and they produce a very particular sharp sound when they are struck. They represent the middle part of a drum kit. They are generally employed in many different music styles.

When the drums are struck, the air inside them is compressed and the shape of the drum’s head is altered. These alterations are further sent to the shell of the drum and they get reflected back. This action gets repeated, and thus a vibration is obtained. The vibrations turn into sounds.

We should add here the fact that the head of the drum has to be properly tightened in order for it to produce the right type of sounds. In case the drum is not uniform, then the sound can change, and that depends on the exact place where the drum is struck. If there is a great tension between two different heads, the tones can vary a lot.

What the drum has to do is to be able to resonate with the drum’s head. A really large diameter or a deep shell means that the tone will be thicker or heavier. Drum players choose their drums based on specific diameters and depths, it's best to visit drum stores like https://www.denverpercussion.com/ to get a good idea of the different types of diameters available, before making a purchase.

Originally Posted on: The Physics of the Unique Sound of Snare Drums

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