snare drum: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral; technical within music contexts.
Quick answer
What does “snare drum” mean?
A small double-headed drum with strings of metal wire or gut stretched across the bottom head, producing a sharp, rattling sound when struck.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small double-headed drum with strings of metal wire or gut stretched across the bottom head, producing a sharp, rattling sound when struck.
The percussion instrument central to the drum kit in popular music; also used in military bands, orchestral music, and as a metaphor for something that traps or ensnares (from the separate word 'snare').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The instrument is identical. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical connotations as a musical instrument.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, given the global nature of drum kit terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “snare drum” in a Sentence
[verb] + the snare drum (play, hit, tune, muffle)snare drum + [verb] (sits, rattles, cracks)adjective + snare drum (piccolo, marching, orchestral)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “snare drum” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The percussionist will snare-drum the marching rhythm.
American English
- The drummer snare-drummed a complex fill.
adjective
British English
- The piece required a strong snare-drum part.
American English
- He's known for his crisp snare-drum sound.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in music retail or manufacturing.
Academic
Used in musicology, ethnomusicology, and historical studies of military music.
Everyday
Common when discussing music, bands, or learning an instrument.
Technical
Precise term in percussion, drumming, audio engineering (e.g., 'snare mic'), and musical notation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snare drum”
- Mispronouncing 'snare' as /snɑːr/ or /snɛər/ with undue emphasis. Correct: /sneər/.
- Confusing it with other drums like the 'bass drum' or 'tom-tom'.
- Using 'snare' alone to mean the drum in ambiguous contexts (e.g., 'He played the snare' is clear; 'He bought a snare' could mean a trap for animals).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun, written as two separate words: 'snare drum'.
A snare drum has snare wires on the bottom head, creating a buzzing, rattling sound. A tom-tom (or tom) has no snares, producing a deeper, more resonant tone with less attack.
Technically yes, but it is highly unconventional in most Western popular music (rock, pop, jazz) as the snare provides the essential backbeat (the 'crack' on beats 2 and 4).
This is an older, primarily British term originating from military marching bands, where the drum was worn on a sling at the player's side, as opposed to the bass drum carried in front.
A small double-headed drum with strings of metal wire or gut stretched across the bottom head, producing a sharp, rattling sound when struck.
Snare drum is usually neutral; technical within music contexts. in register.
Snare drum: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsneə drʌm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsner drʌm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'snare' that traps animals – the wires (snares) underneath the drum 'trap' and vibrate against the head to create its distinctive rattling sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
The snare drum is the heartbeat of the drum kit; its crack provides the backbeat, the rhythmic spine of a track.
Practice
Quiz
What are the 'snares' on a snare drum?