A good drum kit is defined by the quality of the snare drum it has. Snare drums are essential as they dictate the tempo of the drum solo.
A snare drum is one of the timing tool accessories that drummers require.
As a beginner, you may not be looking for anything too expensive. But that does not mean you just go for anything that looks like a drum kit.
A snare drum can be played on its own, apart from being part of the drum set. With a pair of cymbals or slung over the shoulder, you can play this piece in marching.
The number of situations that require the use of the snare drum may not be particularly broad, but they are enough to warrant getting the best snare drum for beginners. It’s all about getting the best from your investment.
And since the number of products on the market is overwhelming, it can be hard to choose the right snare.
Don’t worry though, in this article, I will be reviewing some of the best snare drums any beginner will find hard to resist.
Some of them come ready for action with drum sticks, stands, and sometimes cymbals.
The most important thing to remember is that you need a snare drum that makes a worthy sound. It’s never about the brand or price.
5 Best Snare Drums for Beginners
Beginner snare drum exercises are necessary for mastering drumming skills. There are so many ways you can make your drumming world admirable, and one of them is picking the right snare drum.
With a good beginner snare drum, music ideas should come out naturally.
So, where do you find such a snare drum?
Here are five pieces that should make your music world better. I have chosen them according to reviews from other users, price, and features.
1. Mendini Student Snare Drum Set
Mendini has been one of the biggest names in the world of drums for many years. It’s, therefore, no surprise that their products could feature on the list of the best solutions on the market.
I have used many drums from sets for the manufacturer, and they never disappoint. Every piece is designed with the best features on the market to deliver great sounds and excellent visual features.
The Mendini student snare drum set could easily be the best snare drum for beginners on the market. It comes with a gig bag, sticks, stand, and a practice package making it a full package for all your training needs.
Configuration
The kit comes equipped with:
• 14-inch x 5.5-inch student snare drum
• A 30-inch snare drum stand with ten lugs
• A rubber practice pad
There are not very many beginner snare drum kits that come with a stand. And I think this makes Mendini very attractive and useful.
It also comes with pair of quality drumsticks. You will start playing immediately from the box.
Most importantly, the snare drum is packed with an excellent sounding head. Even if it’s a student kit, experienced drummers can also find it very attractive.
Features include:
• Standard size. The 14 x 5.5-inch size is standard for all snares on the market. Normally, I would expect to get something less for the price of this kit compared to its quality.
• Standard quality. Not many beginner snare drums will come with a 30-inch stand and ten lugs. It’s the average height for snare drum stands, ready for users of all ages.
• Rubber practice pad. A snare drum can be very loud when played, yet you may need to practice at all times. The rubber practice pad allows you to mute the drum sound so you can practice late at night.
• Adjustable neck strap. Carrying the snare drum to the field is very easy, thanks to the adjustable neck strap.
• A padded backpack. Carry the snare drum anywhere with ease in its padded backpack.
You may not find anything else that sounds this good at this price range in terms of sound. It makes a perfect practice tool.
Pros
• Good sounding
• Ten lugs to keep the drum tune
• Rubber pad for practicing
Cons
• The stand is a bit heavy and may not be suitable for shorter players
2. Griffin Snare Drum
Griffin is another great brand that has been making different solutions for drummers. It may not be the most popular name, but it has established itself as a reliable brand.
This 14 x 5.5-inch snare drum is designed for beginners. If you are looking for a great alternative to the Mendini above in terms of affordability, this could be your ultimate solution.
The first thing that captures one’s attention is the visual standing of this piece. It’s crafted with black hickory PVC and coated head-on poplar, making it not only look great but sound incredible too.
A good snare drum at an affordable price
The brilliant attack defines an excellent snare drum it gives to the drum set. And this piece has all you need to achieve it.
It’s a perfect-sounding snare that has a powerful crack and outstanding overtones. It comes with a 3-ply, 7-mm 100% poplar wood shell that will handle any music style.
Whether you play gospel, jazz, rock, hip-hop, or any other style, this snare drum will give it a perfect compliment.
This piece allows one to upgrade their 14-inch snare drum kit style to fit their needs. The black hickory wrap has been used a lot in higher-end kits, which makes the snare drum quite attractive.
The high-gloss finish makes it look expensive. And hence, the perfect choice for beginners and anyone running low on budget.
Another feature I noticed on this snare drum is the class-leading snare throw-off. I was not expecting to get such a feature at this price range, but that is what makes the brand stand out.
It’s equipped with a high-quality, smooth and quiet snare strainer that makes operating easy and functional.
The throw-off will allow one to easily and quickly tighten, loosen or mute the drum according to their needs.
Configuration:
• One standard snare drums
• 10-strands snare wire
• Chrome hardware
• Six pounds in weight
It comes with a pair of drum sticks so you can start playing immediately. The eight tuning lugs make it easy to get in the right tone.
Pros
• Great sound
• Easy to tune
• Affordable
• Perfect for beginners and students
Cons
• No instructions
• The snare throw-off is not the best
• Slight rattling from the bottom of the drum
3. ADM Student Snare Drum
When it comes to choosing a student snare drum, what matters the most is the price. Other features like the quality of sound will only be a concern once you have mastered the skills.
And that is why the ADM student snare drum could be the perfect piece for you. There are so many features that would make this piece ideal for any drummer.
• Construction
Many of us like beautiful and high-quality instruments. And hence, the 14 x 5.5-inch ADM snare drum is an excellent choice.
It features a high-gloss finish that makes it look expensive. However, it’s the details in the craftsmanship of this snare drum that make it a real catch.
It comes with ten durable lugs, which is more than what you would expect at this price range. A drum key is added to make your tuning easier and more convenient.
It comes with a practice pad that should come in handy when you want to practice silently. That means you can lower down the drum sound and never disturb your neighbors during those late-night practice sessions.
The snare drum comes at a standard size, which makes it compare to any full-sized drum. With that, you have a real-drum experience.
Other features
The package includes a 19-inch snare drum stand. This makes the whole kit a 26-inch setup. This a perfect size for most professional drum kits.
The snare features soft adjustable straps for easy carrying. If you are in a marching band, this one feature you can never overlook.
Also, the drum comes with a portable, padded backpack. This allows one to carry their kit around with ease.
Pros
• Rubber cover for muting the sound
• Excellent sound
• Easy to tune
Cons
• The stand is a bit short for taller players, and it feels flimsy.
• The snare head is not durable
4. Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Snare Drum
Yamaha is one of those brands you can always count on for top quality. The company has been making high-quality drum kits for many years, both acoustic and electronic.
The Stage Custom snare drum is constructed from high-quality birch wood. It’s not easy to find such quality at this price range.
Features:
The 14 x 5.5-inch snare drum comes with ten lugs. This feature ensures a more precise tuning.
With the 45-degree bearing edges, this snare drum performs better than most would expect from it.
It comes with a hi-gloss lacquer finish that allows for easy tuning and setup. You don’t have to worry about the bearing edges slipping as this kit has got you covered in all directions.
It comes in three different color choices for your selection. That means you can easily get something that defines your needs.
The only thing I found worrying about the drum is the lack of adjustability. If you need something more, I would suggest you consider other options.
Pro
• Excellent sound
• A reputable brand means the drum is reliable
• Affordable, which is excellent for beginners
• A good money-for-value snare drum
Cons
• It would be better if the drum were more adjustable
• The hardware is not very durable.
5. GP Percussion SK2
If you are looking for a complete student snare drum kit, consider the GP Percussion SK2. However, this might not be the GP, you know.
I tried Googling the brand to understand if the piece is reliable. As it turns out, it has nothing to do with the reputable publisher that brings you books on playing percussion.
It would have been better, but the real GP Percussion is a music wholesaler in Texas. They import low-quality percussion instruments from China. This did not go very well with the publisher, forcing them to rebrand.
Don’t worry if this seems to confuse you a little. I was only concerned about the pros of this snare drum, which turned out to be something you can count on.
The GP Percussion snare drum is an excellent option for beginners. It comes as a complete package with a snare drum, a rubber pad, a tuning key, a pair of sticks, and a backpack.
This 14 x 5.5-inch snare drum is packed with everything that makes a good snare drum. Every component is of good quality.
Sound
No matter how good a snare drum may be, it’s the sound that makes sense in the end. This snare drum did not promise much, but the sound was quite decent.
It’s not what you would expect for serious gigs. However, students will find it just perfect for learning.
Pros
• A complete set e
• Tunable
• Affordable
Cons
• The drumsticks are a bit light
• It cannot be used for serious playing
The Best Snare Drums for Training
Snare drums are part of the large collection of instruments that make a drum kit sound good. Before you master the skill for getting the best from the drum, practice drums are necessary.
Therefore, finding the best snare drum for training is necessary.
Here are some of the features you should look out for:
- Brand. Always go for a reputable brand. The last thing you want is a snare drum that is too dull, or it’s not durable. Reputable brands guarantee the best features, even from the cheapest products.
- Configurations. A good training snare drum should come regular-sized. A 14 x 5.5-inch snare drum is the perfect tool for training. It would be best if the package includes a practice pad, drum sticks, and everything else you need to start playing.
- Sound. Just because they are cheap, it does not mean you but just anything. A good-sounding snare practice snare drum will encourage you to follow your passion more seriously.
The Mendini Student snare drum set and the Yamaha Custom snare drum are two of the most popular options on the market. They are designed for beginners, but you can use them for serious gigging too.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good starter snare drum?
For starters, you may not be looking for a very expensive snare drum. Your concern is more on learning drumming skills than sound.
Hence, a good starter snare drum should be affordable. But that does not mean it should offer a bad sound.
A piece like the Mendini student snare drum reviewed above is both affordable and good in sound. It should be perfect for any beginner.
What drums should a beginner buy?
Most major drum manufacturers produce excellent solutions for beginners. It’s therefore good to stick to the brands you know.
Buy your first kit from brands like Ludwig, Tama, Pearl, Slingerland, Sonor, Yamaha, and Mapex.
Also, make sure the drums come with everything you need to start playing. That means it would be more convenient to get your drumsticks, cymbals, drum throne, and hardware as a package with your drum kit.
How long does it take to learn to snare drum?
Is snare drum hard? I have come across this question so many times.
Well, yes, the snare is the hardest component of your drum set to learn.
It should take you 10 to 12 months to learn drums if you come with the right dedication, aptitude, and focus.
For every hour spent on drum lessons, you will need to spend two practicing your drum pad, especially the snare. You should be ready for the professional market in about two years.
