Tilted Snares - How to?

[meowmaeh]

^ This!

How do some Corps manage to get that tilt? I can't seem to think of how it's possible with my knowledge of harnesses.


Thanks in advance!

[meowmaeh]

http://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/1125937/marching-snare-drum-accessories

Nevermind, found it.


40 Bones, damn. I'll have to make sure I pick those up when my pearl snare comes in. /sigh

[Mr. Intensity]

You don't need those; they only work if you've got a Dynasty Snare drum. If you have the Pearl drum with the harness you can tilt them. The attachment to the drum swivels so you can add angle to it, go look at SCV 2008 for an example. They use the Randall May harness with the 14x12 FFX snare and have a pretty good tilt with it.

[hairmetal90]

Can't you just stagger the j-rods?

[The Dreaming Tree]

Can't you just stagger the j-rods?

No, that'd just force one of the j-rods to hold all of the weight, while the other one was barely, or not even holding on.

Mr. Intensity has it right, just angle the actual plate that the j-rods go into. That's how SCV's done it forever, and how Cavies are now. The Dynasty's aren't really meant to be tilted, hence why they make you buy an adapter. Tilting a Dynasty is sacrilege, or something like that. :D

[Mr. Intensity]

No, that'd just force one of the j-rods to hold all of the weight, while the other one was barely, or not even holding on.

Mr. Intensity has it right, just angle the actual plate that the j-rods go into. That's how SCV's done it forever, and how Cavies are now. The Dynasty's aren't really meant to be tilted, hence why they make you buy an adapter. Tilting a Dynasty is sacrilege, or something like that. :D

Yeah, the Dynasty drum wasn't built to tilt; but recently they've been selling the drums with the tilter already attached to the drum...but you end up paying for it in the end in some way or another.

J-rods aren't the way to go, all of the tilting is done through the attachment on the drum, tilt that and you're good.

[meowmaeh]

You don't need those; they only work if you've got a Dynasty Snare drum. If you have the Pearl drum with the harness you can tilt them. The attachment to the drum swivels so you can add angle to it, go look at SCV 2008 for an example. They use the Randall May harness with the 14x12 FFX snare and have a pretty good tilt with it.

Ah, right on. Thanks for the info! :)

[Mr. Intensity]

Ah, right on. Thanks for the info! :)

No problem man, anytime.

[Jazzycat1]

Me no likey the tilt! :D I used to march before carriers and even then we didn't do the tilt.

[The Dreaming Tree]

Me no likey the tilt! :D I used to march before carriers and even then we didn't do the tilt.

I think the tilt helps your left hand, if done properly. SCV '04 was a wee-bit excessive of a tilt, and paired with how low they had the drums that year, only looked b.a. But, I play with a slight tilt, more like SCV '08-'09 and the new Cavies, and love it.

BUT, many people don't. To each his/her own.

[Mr. Intensity]

I think the tilt helps your left hand, if done properly. SCV '04 was a wee-bit excessive of a tilt, and paired with how low they had the drums that year, only looked b.a. But, I play with a slight tilt, more like SCV '08-'09 and the new Cavies, and love it.

BUT, many people don't. To each his/her own.

This is true, I enjoy plying either way but because I was taught on a flat drum that's what I'll usually choose 9 times out of 10. The tilt is more ergonomical, but as you said, to each his/her own. As long as the notes get played and the beats are clean, it doesn't matter.

[twister12]

i think the cavies have the best tilt in the last two years. scv is just a little much. but what do i know, im a tenor. :p

[Jazzycat1]

I don't know - I understand the ergonomical thing but when you line up a big 9 man snareline - flat looks better. The tilt looks sloppy. 00**

[The Dreaming Tree]

I don't know - I understand the ergonomical thing but when you line up a big 9 man snareline - flat looks better. The tilt looks sloppy. 00**

The left-hand (in traditional grip only) naturally angles the stick downward. A flat surface forces the left hand to "over-rotate" at the wrist, causing discomfort to some. Also, a full 12" extension, executed properly using only the wrist-rotation becomes even more difficult from a flat playing surface. The angle makes a full 12" more natural.

However, the flat snare line does look cleaner. But, only if all drums are at the same level. And I don't it when corps focus on that, either, because it forces many players to play awkwardly high or low, depending on their height. With a tilt, it's expected to not have a straight line across the rims, so variations in playing height isn't as noticeable.

Disclaimer: This is my opinion. It's what I learned at SCV, and have discovered for myself. It doesn't make it fact, though.

[vicfirthrules10]

i think that the tilt is bad. i personally don't like it, because sure it helps the left hand with traditional but then it also inhibits the right hand because you have to play awkward in order to hit the head "straight up and down."

[Mr. Intensity]

i think that the tilt is bad. i personally don't like it, because sure it helps the left hand with traditional but then it also inhibits the right hand because you have to play awkward in order to hit the head "straight up and down."

Actually, it doesn't inhibit the right hand at all. Because of the angle, the right hand can be dropped down into a more relaxed position so when you are playing, the right hand plays on the new "horizontal surface". Instead of slicing, like one would on a flat drum, the hand follows the natural positioning of the arm and ends up playing off the head without any slice whatsoever. Now, this isn't to say that you can't slice on a tilted drum, you most certainly can, but because of the tilt the two hands can be much more ergonomically aligned with the rest of the body.

Try tilting you snare just a little, like the Cavaliers do, nothing extreme, and then then drop the drum down a little from where you're used to playing; things will feel a little more comfortable than they do with a flat drum. I like playing either way, but because I was taught on a flat surface I tend to favor it much more than a tilt. If you give it a little time, you'll understand what I'm trying to say if you give it a good try; that is if you're willing to test it out. It's just another one of the many great options we drummers have as far as setup and ergonomics.

[Jazzycat1]

The left-hand (in traditional grip only) naturally angles the stick downward. A flat surface forces the left hand to "over-rotate" at the wrist, causing discomfort to some. Also, a full 12" extension, executed properly using only the wrist-rotation becomes even more difficult from a flat playing surface. The angle makes a full 12" more natural.

However, the flat snare line does look cleaner. But, only if all drums are at the same level. And I don't it when corps focus on that, either, because it forces many players to play awkwardly high or low, depending on their height. With a tilt, it's expected to not have a straight line across the rims, so variations in playing height isn't as noticeable.

Disclaimer: This is my opinion. It's what I learned at SCV, and have discovered for myself. It doesn't make it fact, though.


As I explained - I completely understand the reasoning. I mastered the 13 essential rudiments when I was 10. That was 34 years ago. I know all about the tilt. Still don't like it on the field. Back before carriers we wore straps with an angle bar - leg rest on the left thigh and had to march in such a way as the asscheeks were always clenched to keep the drum from swinging too much when we marched. Very uncomfortable but all us snare players had great butts! :D

[The Dreaming Tree]

As I explained - I completely understand the reasoning. I mastered the 13 essential rudiments when I was 10. That was 34 years ago. I know all about the tilt. Still don't like it on the field. Back before carriers we wore straps with an angle bar - leg rest on the left thigh and had to march in such a way as the asscheeks were always clenched to keep the drum from swinging too much when we marched. Very uncomfortable but all us snare players had great butts! :D

I laughed at the fact that you mentioned that. Let me explain.

I've drummed under Robb Sirat (BD '84-'87) and he's told me many stories about old-school DCI. Amazing man, and his chops are as good as ever. And, he, according to a story he's been telling, also has a great butt.

[Jazzycat1]

I laughed at the fact that you mentioned that. Let me explain.

I've drummed under Robb Sirat (BD '84-'87) and he's told me many stories about old-school DCI. Amazing man, and his chops are as good as ever. And, he, according to a story he's been telling, also has a great butt.

Also remember - we basically hugged the 50 during every show back then. No way they could do the incredible drill they do now with straps! They'd cripple themselves! LOL!

[The Dreaming Tree]

Also remember - we basically hugged the 50 during every show back then. No way they could do the incredible drill they do now with straps! They'd cripple themselves! LOL!

Oh yeah. He taught at my indoor line and it was funny cause he tried on one of our drums (Pearl Articulite) and laughed. He's like, "it's soo small... and... so easy to move!"