Research->Drum Performance->Snare Drum
Information about drums and how to play by Mr.H, who is a drummer playing at "SugerSweet"in Osaka.
How To Play
Ghost Stroke With Left Hand This technique is very important for drum performance to make groovy sound. For example, when I have a seat on right side toward the stage, I usually keep looking at this technique of the drummer.
Is a left hand directly connedted to right half of human brain? The right half commands sensitivity, doesn't it?
You will be able to play ghost strokes without problem if you have mastered rudiments ,especially paradiddle.
Accents With Both Hands It doesn't mean the shots by both hands at the same time. Make slightly time difference. To be more precise, one hand makes a grace note just before main sounds. In rudiments, it's called flam. Practicing flamparadiddle will be required.
However, as basic techniques, it's important to master upstroke and downstroke first.
Rolling With Both Hands
Uniform Sounds Making continuous sounds by repeating double strokes with both hands. It's good to start practicing at slow tempo not to skip any strokes. If you become better at controlling a little finger, controlling sticks will be easier.
Also, paradiddle makes different kinds of sounds.
Continuous Sounds The image is like tone down with fine amplitude smoothing with a palm of hand. A little finger is not used this time.
Limb Shot
Make sounds with whole snare by hitting its head and limb at the same time.
Opened Limb Shot This is often used in 2 and 4 backbeat. It's an idea not to make all shots in full-accents just in case they are used as accents.
It is possible to make various sounds by changing angle to hit the limb, shot points slightly outside from its head, strokes, etc. Tone down limb sounds are especially effecive for background of songs.
It will be possible to have many variations of good sounds and expression with skilled limb shot technique.
Closed Limb Shot This is quite popular technique in silent music. You cannot miss it in Latin-style rhythm.
Find out a point using your left hand which makes the best sounds. With combinations of instrument's limbs(metal wheel), shell(body) and sticks, it makes beautiful sounds.