Beginning Band: How to Care for Percussion Instruments

INTRODUCTION

Percussionist Eri Isomura will walk you through the basics of setting up your snare drum and taking care of it.

STEP-BY-STEP instructions

• Take out the stand and turn the basket so it faces up. Tighten the wingnut to secure the basket (“righty tighty, lefty loosey”!).

• Loosen the wingnut securing the legs, and spread the legs of the stand out. Tighten just enough to secure them.

• Loosen the wingnut between the basket and legs to adjust the height. Leave it loose for now.

• Open the arms of the basket and place the snare drum. The arms of the basket should not touch the resonant head at the bottom of the drum.

• Rotate the snare drum so the lever is facing you.

• Adjust the height of the stand so the top of the drum is about 2 inches below your elbow, and a little below your belt buckle.

• Make sure the snare drum is nice and flat, and you’re ready to play.

• When transporting, carefully place the drum in its case, and fold up the stand by loosening the wingnuts and collapsing the basket and legs. Don’t loosen the wingnuts too much or they will fall off!

Print this and keep it in your case or band folder!