Snare Tilting

[SeattleDrumKing]

What's the reason why some of today's young greats like Keith Carlock and Steve Hass tilt their snare drums foward. Is this traditonal grip related? Both of those players coincidently have sick left hands. I know Buddy, papa jo and many others have done that, but the drummers mentioned above are not really jazz drummers. Anyone have a clue?

[Tom Hipskind]

Yes, it is related to traditional grip, where the left-hand stick position at rest points downward. That's the short and simple answer; there are, of course, many arguments and points of view regarding snare drum positioning, often opposing but not "wrong". It's simply a matter of what each drummer is comfortable with.

Take a close look at the way Dave Weckl and most notably Steve Smith position their snare drums now as opposed to, say, 10 years ago. Steve Smith's snare nowadays is tilted "forward" to a pretty good degree! It's simply how he feels best serves his physical playing style. Then look at Carter Beauford's snare position. It's flat, and REALLY low! Almost below his knees, I think (and he sits low to begin with).

As you know, probably the one thing that varies the MOST (arguable, I know) from drummer to drummer is the position of their snare drum, so there's certainly no hard and fast rule for where to put it; it's just a matter of what works best for each drummer. And, as I said with the aforementioned Weckl and Smith, over time that can and will change, even drastically! Just take a look at Smith's "Part One/Two" videos and then his recent DVD, and you'll see the evolution. I know that for me I'm constantly moving my snare drum up, down, more angled, flatter, etc. to come up with the "best" placing.

Hope I made some sense.

[Vdrummer]

I usually play matched, and keep my snare a little above my knees and angle up near my high tom just a little. That allows my to play rimshots only when I intend them and not inadvertenly. When I play trad the position still works pretty well. If I played traditional all the time I'd probably raise my snare another 1/2 inch. I would not follow Gruber's advice and tilt towards the tom.

Seat height is a good point too! I do have to adjust me seat since it seems to unscrew itself and unnoticeably sink over time. I played last night and it had very gradually rotated to the bottom position which made me feel like I was a kid playing a grownup's drums.

Snare position makes a big impact on your drumming and technique. Good players who play with very low snares often rotate their wrists to a French grip to accomodate their snare height. This position often forces them to develop finger technique.

[Flarobstix]

personally, I can't see how playing traditional grip with your snare angled toward you is a logical technique. When I saw HASS at The Blue Note, his left arm was a perfect L. Forearms parallel to the ground. Which enabled him to easily get a fat rimshot and also control the level of the rimshot. Half stick, quarter, etc....If the snare is too low or angled towards you, your wrist would have to bend unnaturally in order to get a rimshot at all. RIGHT? Anyone have thoughts on this?

[PocketPlayer]

I know that for me I'm constantly moving my snare drum up, down, more angled, flatter, etc. to come up with the "best" placing.

Ditto!

I just saw a great Tony Williams video last night--not sure the date, maybe late 80's--and kept focusing on his seat position, posture, and the fact he switched from trad to matched a lot within the same song, and on every song. His snare was slightly angled forward (not as much as Smith). He looked perfectly fit behind his kit which would be awkward for me. Great show! I think a young Smitty Smith was at one of the front tables looking on in joy!

[Flarobstix]

Yes, that's on going battle for me as well. To find the right angle so I don't work too hard to get that solid rim shot backbeat.
BTW, SDK, Hass now tilts his snare down and to the right. When asked him about this, he said it was because his right hand was suffering from the other angle although his left hand felt great. I guess that's the best of both worlds. Also remember the seat height is a factor as well.
Anyone else dealing with this snare positioning insanity?

[sw_p5282]

I play traditional grip and my snare drum is pretty high and tilted to the right. I do this because it is easier to me to play multiple/fast rimshots with my left hand. I couldn't do this if the snare drum was tilted toward but I do know some people who can! Vinnie is a good example...

[royerin]

Steve Gadd is another traditional-gripper who tilts his snare towards himself. Both he and Vinnie sit low too, which also factors in to how the snare is angled. Keith Carlock and Steve Smith sit pretty high, and by angling the snare away from them it makes it easier to hit the rimshots...

[Daniel LeClaire]

I play traditional grip and I have my snare tilted towards me. I rimshot on every backbeat and I don't find that it's uncomfortable. Whatever works for you, there's no best way.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 09, 2004 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Daniel LeClaire ]</font>

[shedder]

mine is tilting towards me slightly to the right. traditional grip.