Bo Eder
Platinum Member
So, there are all kinds of threads here asking how to get a certain snare drum sound, and we all pitch in and have a theoretical discussion on what type of heads or tunings would be necessary to get the said effect.
Well, I've learned another new thing (for an old guy) and finally tried this after I watched the Benny Greb DVD, so I won't even take credit for it, but you all must try this.
First off, let me start by saying that snares usually fall into two flavors: tight and high, or loose and phat. Yes, there are infinite degrees between the two, but come on, we're playing music, so let's just say you only notice a difference when one is tight and cranked (Bill Bruford, or Stewart Copeland), or low, phat, and thuddy (Don Henley or Phil Rudd).
So, take your favorite snare (or your only snare), and tune it how you normally would. usually snare drums sound normal with medium to high tuning, right? OK - so now you have your normal snare drum sound. Now, go buy a 13" white ambassador head (if you use a 14" snare - most likely) or a 12" if you play a 13" - you get the idea - and just drop it on your snare drum upside and play it. The additional muffling head will give you that low phat thuddy Eagles sound from your regularly tuned snare drum.
When I saw the Benny Greb DVD the idea blew me away. I've been practicing on how smoothly I can put the head on and take it off while I'm playing, and it's not that hard at all. I can groove, do a fill while I take the extra head off or on, and continue grooving with the new snare sound.
Of course, if you're a Jojo Mayer fan, or a Thomas Lang fan (or anybody who uses two snares to create different backbeat textures), you'd probably be more comfortable with having more than one snare drum to carry around. However, if you're not, and you need to change your backbeat sound in a hurry, just add an additional head! It really couldn't be simpler! In fact, this idea seemed so simple, I'm angry at myself for not coming up with it on my own.
Another example of my close-mindedness getting the best of me. But at least now I know I don't need to carry around that phat 8x14 wood snare with the wallet taped to it....
I hope this helps you on your quest for having the appropriate snare sound for whatever you're doing. It's gonna help me tremendously Go try it. Right now!
Well, I've learned another new thing (for an old guy) and finally tried this after I watched the Benny Greb DVD, so I won't even take credit for it, but you all must try this.
First off, let me start by saying that snares usually fall into two flavors: tight and high, or loose and phat. Yes, there are infinite degrees between the two, but come on, we're playing music, so let's just say you only notice a difference when one is tight and cranked (Bill Bruford, or Stewart Copeland), or low, phat, and thuddy (Don Henley or Phil Rudd).
So, take your favorite snare (or your only snare), and tune it how you normally would. usually snare drums sound normal with medium to high tuning, right? OK - so now you have your normal snare drum sound. Now, go buy a 13" white ambassador head (if you use a 14" snare - most likely) or a 12" if you play a 13" - you get the idea - and just drop it on your snare drum upside and play it. The additional muffling head will give you that low phat thuddy Eagles sound from your regularly tuned snare drum.
When I saw the Benny Greb DVD the idea blew me away. I've been practicing on how smoothly I can put the head on and take it off while I'm playing, and it's not that hard at all. I can groove, do a fill while I take the extra head off or on, and continue grooving with the new snare sound.
Of course, if you're a Jojo Mayer fan, or a Thomas Lang fan (or anybody who uses two snares to create different backbeat textures), you'd probably be more comfortable with having more than one snare drum to carry around. However, if you're not, and you need to change your backbeat sound in a hurry, just add an additional head! It really couldn't be simpler! In fact, this idea seemed so simple, I'm angry at myself for not coming up with it on my own.
Another example of my close-mindedness getting the best of me. But at least now I know I don't need to carry around that phat 8x14 wood snare with the wallet taped to it....
I hope this helps you on your quest for having the appropriate snare sound for whatever you're doing. It's gonna help me tremendously Go try it. Right now!