snare drum
A drum with metal wires (snares) stretched across the bottom head, producing a sharp, rattling sound.
In Depth
The snare drum produces its distinctive bright, crackling sound from thin metal wires or cables stretched across its lower drumhead. When the top head is struck, the snares vibrate against the bottom head, creating the characteristic buzz. A snare strainer lever allows the player to disengage the snares for a tom-tom-like sound.
In orchestral music, the snare drum adds military precision and rhythmic drive — Ravel's Boléro features a continuous snare drum pattern throughout its 15-minute duration. In a drum kit, the snare sits between the drummer's knees and is the most frequently struck drum, providing the backbeat (beats two and four) that drives rock and pop music.
The snare drum in Ravel's Boléro must play the same two-bar rhythm 169 times without variation — it is considered one of the most psychologically demanding parts in the orchestral repertoire.