• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Mega Guide
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Guides
    • Kick Drum Pedal Guide
    • Choosing The Right Snare Drum
    • Snare Drum Head Guide
    • Choosing Drumsticks Is Critical
    • Buying A Used Snare Drum On Ebay
    • How To Tune a Snare Drum
    • Buying A Beginner Snare Drum
    • Vic Firth Snare Drum Rudiments
    • Snare Drum History
    • Starting A Drum Circle
  • Reviews
  • Top Rated

Snare Drum Reviews

Snare Drum Reviews, Price Comparisons and Buying Guides

Snare Drum History

By SnareDude Leave a Comment

snare drum historySnare Drum History

Military Beginnings

The snare drum has become an integral part of drum kits. Used in every genre of modern music, its roots go way back. Well before the dawn of popular music. The snare drum history is fascinating. Most music historians trace today’s version to Medieval Europe. A drum known as the Tabor which first appeared about the 14th century. The name refers to the single strand snare found in each two headed model. You can bet those heads weren’t from Remo or Evans. Calve skin or deer skin was certainly more likely. The Tabor is still in use today in European folk music.

In the 16th century the armies of the Ottoman Empire employed a rudimentary snare as one of the instruments for their marching music. Apparently Swiss mercenaries took to these drums. Instruments very similar in conical shape and style began appearing in Swiss fife and drum outfits. These snare drums featured a deeper body and were worn along the side of the drummer and were shouldered using a strap.

Snare Drum Advancements

Tensioning in the drums is seen in the 1500’s using a lacing procedure much like that used for shoes. In the 17th century drum makers began fixing snares with screws to deliver a tighter, brighter sound without as much rattle. All snare drums were made of wood until the 20th century. That’s when the first metal versions were crafted. Recently, a patent was awarded to the Nolan Page Drum Company for a snare drum body made form solid crystal.

To fully grasp snare drum history it is important to understand its use by armies through the centuries. This instrument is just right for a marching cadence. It is also used in communication with different tunes and to broadcast various messages in camp, on the trail and on the battle field. The military influence in its development continues to shape the way the instrument is played today.

Filed Under: Guides

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Get The Snare Drum Reviews Newsletter

Latest Reviews

orange county maple snare

Orange County Drum and Percussion Maple Snare Drum Review

sonor benny greb beech snare

Sonor Benny Greb Signature Snare Drum Review

offset eclipse double pedal

Offset Eclipse Double Bass Drum Pedal Review

Gretsch Brooklyn Micro

Gretsch Brooklyn Micro Drum Kit Review

Ludwig Supralite Snare

Ludwig Supralite Snare Drum Review

Get More Reviews...

From The Blog

King Colton 2

Winner’s Spotlight: King Colton

finding-other-musicians

Finding Other Musicians

wood-shed

Getting Back Into Drum Training

Get More From The Blog...

Site Pages

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Mega Guide
  • Kick Drum Pedal Guide

Favorite Drummers

  • Alan White
  • Barriemore Barlow
  • Bill Bruford
  • Carl Palmer
  • Chad Wackerman
  • Danny Carey
  • Ed Shaughnessy
  • Luke Holland
  • Mike Portnoy
  • Neil Peart
  • Paul DeLong
  • Peter Erskine
  • Phil Collins
  • Rayford Griffin
  • Simon Phillips
  • Steve Gadd
  • Steve Smith
  • Stewart Copeland
  • Terry Bozzio
  • Tommy Aldridge

Manufacturers

  • DW Snare Drums
  • Gretsch Snare Drums
  • Ludwig Snare Drums
  • Mapex Snare Drums
  • Orange County Snare Drums
  • Pearl Snare Drums
  • Pork Pie Snare Drums
  • Rogers Snare Drums
  • Slingerland Snare Drums
  • Tama Snare Drums
  • Yamaha Snare Drums

Publications

  • Classic Drummer Magazine
  • Drumhead
  • Modern Drummer
  • Rhythm Magazine

Footer

Site Pages

  • About Us
  • ArtistWorks
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Mega Guide
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Kick Drum Pedal Guide

Recent Posts

  • Orange County Drum and Percussion Maple Snare Drum Review
  • Sonor Benny Greb Signature Snare Drum Review
  • Offset Eclipse Double Bass Drum Pedal Review
  • Winner’s Spotlight: King Colton
  • Gretsch Brooklyn Micro Drum Kit Review

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in