Snare Tilting

I tilt my snare toward me slightly.

I've also found that the type of drum makes a difference.
All my Gretsch snares have die-cast hoops that are higher from the head, therefore i have to tilt them more towards me to avoid hitting the rim and missing a backbeat (really annoying).......

Hoop height is a good point. You might have to tilt more or lowere the drum to accomodate Ayotte's high wood hoops too.

Just wanted to post an update here:
In my previous post I stated that I had my snare tilted towards me. Today I was watching my grip, as I was practicing, and noticed that my left hand's palm was facing straight up. I decided to tilt the snare towards my right and still slightly towards me. So far I've found this to be slightly more comfortable for my left hand.


Regarding seat height:
I raised my seat so that my knees are parallel with my waist when I play. My knees were higher than my waist. Since raising my seat I have noticed better balance when playing heel up. I have also noticed less fatigue overall, probably because I don't have to reach as much.


I just wanted to encourage everyone to keep experimenting with their drums. Sometimes it's frustrating and nothing feels right, but keep at it and you'll find something comfortable eventually.

great topic indeed.
IMO,seat height,snare angle etc...are very important points that they don't teach you in school as far as i know.focus is on everything else and i think it's a shame.
anyways,snare angle has been a major issue to me 'even more since i recently switched to traditionnal grip.i'm experiencing new position everyday since playing this way is kind of new to me.
i'm having a hard time finding the right snare angle.i've tried to tilt it to the right(i'm right handed) but then it makes it hard to play when i switch back to matched in a middle of a song.
by the way,should your palm be facing up or should my hand be like..let's say in a thumb-up kind of position?


another issue is rim height and rimshot backbeat.
having been in a studio situation lately,i've noticed that the snare sound would be better if i didn't hit the rim and play a full stroke on the head.it's kind of funny 'cos lots of drummers play rimshot backbeats and iwas used to do the same.
but by just hitting the head i would get a fatter and fuller sound !!??

hey,you learn evryday!!
so i wanted to know guys if you experienced the same thing and if you all play rimshot backbeats in any situation?
i assume you wouldn't necessarily do in a jazz situation.
any help and input welcome.
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I play matched, and mine is pretty much level with the top of the snare a couple of inches above knee height. I sit quite high too.

Check out Krupa's snare position on this this great video

Traditional grip was devised as a way to accommodate the way a marching drum hangs from a sling, angling down and to the right. Modern marching slings have rendered the grip unnecessary, although many adhere to it, for a variety of reasons.

To me an angle like Steve Smith or Keith Carlock's setup makes a lot of sense if you use trad grip. I've been puzzled at why guys like Vinnie or Gadd don't do that, but as has been pointed out, they both sit low.


Mr. A.