Snare Drum

Basic Technique

Hold stick between the first knuckle joint of your index finger and the flat part of your thumb.
Hold the stick so that there is slightly more weight towards the tip of the stick. The bottom end should not protrude too far into the wrist.
The bottom end of the stick should rest in the center of the heel of your hand.
Align the tip of the stick into a straight line with your elbow.
The first pad of your middle and ring finger (possibly your little finger) should rest lightly on the stick with pressure only between your thumb and forefinger.
Your arms should be relaxed, hanging by your side with your elbows bent at roughly a ninety degree angle.
Bend your wrist so that the tip of the stick is pointing up.
Using mostly your wrist, followed by fingers and arm, bounce the tip of the stick off of the drum or pad with the same motion and feel of bouncing a ball.

Five Main Strokes

Rebound Stroke: The tip of the stick starts pointing up. One motion is used to bounce the tip of the stick off of the drum or pad and return it to its’ original position.

Down Stroke: The tip of the stick starts in the same position as the Rebound Stroke. However, it only bounces off of the drum or pad by roughly two inches and ends up parallel to the floor.

Tap Stroke: The tip of the stick starts at roughly two inches off of the drum or pad, lightly taps the drum or pad and returns to its’ original position of roughly two inches off of the drum or pad.

Up Stroke: The tip of the stick starts at roughly two inches from the drum or pad and lightly taps the drum or pad. The stick is then quickly brought up to the original position of a Rebound Stroke.

Buzz Stroke: The tip of the stick starts anywhere, depending on the desired volume. It is then pressed into the drum or pad using the wrist and arm while pulling up using the fingers, producing a buzzing sound from the drum or pad.