# Does anyone know anything about drums ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 21, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083 "2003-04-21T18:12:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dragongirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@dragongirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragongirl)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083/1 "2003-04-21T18:12:40Z")
I need to get a snare drum for my 10 year old boy. He doesn’t take lessons from a professional, but needs to learn how to play a march but Memorial Day. But, we need to get him a snare drum that he can play while marching. I looked on ebay, but I really don’t even know what I’m looking at. There are a lot of snare drums, but they don’t look like they can be carried around. I’ve seen things that say they are for marching, but there aren’t any drums attached to them. What should I be looking for ? Are there some kinds of straps or brackets that come attached to the drum, are they sold separately ? I don’t really want to spend a lot of money on this right now, but he needs something to play by the end of May, if he likes it, I’ll get him lessons and the stuff he needs. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083/2 "2003-04-21T18:53:55Z")
Ringo is a drummer. You might email him or maybe he’ll do a vanity search… not to imply that there’s a shred of vanity to him. He’s a humble, righteous drummer. I think I’ll go now. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083/3 "2003-04-21T18:55:14Z")
Obviously I mean the SDMB’s **Ringo** , not the Beatle’s. Where are my dork pills? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083/4 "2003-04-21T19:27:33Z")
Call the music director at your local high school. He’ll tell you what you need and where to get it. They have those marching kids at football games all the time. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083/5 "2003-04-21T19:32:02Z")
You local music store might be able to rent you what he needs as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083/6 "2003-04-21T19:32:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lieu \* > **Obviously I mean the SDMB’s Ringo, not the Beatle’s.** Well, isn’t the other one, too? He might _love_ to get asked this! ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083/7 "2003-04-21T20:29:05Z")
You want a “marching snare” which is much deeper (like 12" or more top-to-bottom) than a trap-set snare (which might be 5-8" deep). A marching snare comes with a clip for a strap (and usually the strap, too) and a pad where it bumps against your leg. Search for “Marching Snare” under percussion on eBay. The fancy new ones have a whole harness that prevents back strain, etc., but they’re probably too big for a 10 year old. Heck, most of the drums are too big for a 10-year-old. Depending on what effect you’re going for, one of the smaller, vintage-looking drums might be a good idea. Check with the seller to be sure you get the strap and such along with the drum. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-drums/170083/8 "2003-04-22T04:54:15Z")
Only the vain approach (Thanks for the endorsement, **lieu** ;)). Look at [these drums](http://www.ludwig-drums.com/marchsna.htm). I think a 12" x 14" might be a little tough for a 10 year old to handle, so look at the 10" Strider series. These are pro drums, so the sticker’s gonna shock you, but they retain their value - i.e., if junior doesn’t care about it in 10 months or so, next year’s drummer’s parents will likely be glad to scarf up a real marching snare at a slight discount. Between now and Memorial Day, if he’s motivated, he can get right enough with the 14 rudiments of drumming. Get him a book and a practice pad. Warn the cat. _Cha-cha-cha_.