From Grip to Expression: Getting Back To Snare Drum Basics

A Professional Percussionist’s Perspective on Making Thoughtful Musical Choices, Not Just Technical Ones

Snare drum basics aren’t just about sticking patterns, rudiments, and hand positions—they’re about the why behind your playing. Bella Scotti, a member of the Black Swamp Percussion Educator Network, reminds us that even seasoned players benefit from returning to fundamentals. Their approach blends physical technique with musical storytelling. This encourages students to think of the drum not as an object to hit, but as an extension of their voice. In this post, we’ll unpack Bella’s insights so you can refine your sound, elevate your artistry, and make every note speak with intention.

Table of Contents

• Meet Your Instructor

• The First Fundamental: Hearing Protection

• Understanding the Three Primary Hinges

• Snare Drum Basics: Mastering the Fulcrum and Grip

• Pressure vs. Tension: Rethinking Control

• Playing as an Extension of Your Voice

• Student Action Plan

• Closing Thoughts: Your Voice in the Music

  
  

Don’t miss a post — sign up for the Black Swamp Newsletter

Join the Mailing List

---

Meet Your Instructor

Award-winning percussionist Bella Scotti (they/she) is an active performer, educator, and advocate for accessible percussion. A member of the Black Swamp Percussion Educator Network and endorsed by Sonaris Percussion, Bella has performed with ensembles such as the Nittany Valley Symphony, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, and the New Orchestra of Washington. They have also performed nationally at CBDNA-E and as a soloist at the Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion. Bella has taught percussion and piano to students from beginners to doctoral candidates. They have served as a Teaching Assistant at Interlochen Arts Camp and currently pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance at the University of Texas at Austin under Dr. Thomas Burritt and Prof. Ivan Trevino. Bella’s mission is to inspire thoughtful, expressive playing and make percussion more accessible through collaboration, advocacy, and education.

The First Fundamental: Hearing Protection

Bella’s number one rule? Always wear earplugs. Regardless of the volume, the room, or the repertoire, hearing protection is non-negotiable. Bella personally uses high-fidelity earplugs for a more natural listening experience. However, they emphasize that any earplugs are better than none. Developing safe hearing habits early ensures you can enjoy a lifetime of music-making.

Here are a few options that we use here at Black Swamp:

• dBud Earplugs by D'addario

• Hearos Earplus

• Earasers Earplugs

  
  

Understanding the Three Primary Hinges

In percussion, movement starts with hinges or points in the body that generate and control motion. Bella breaks these into three categories:

| Hinge | Primary Use | Why It Matters |

|-------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|

| Fingers | Small, precise movements | Ideal for delicate, nuanced passages |

| Wrists | Most versatile and balanced motion | Prevents tension, improves endurance |

| Whole Arm | Support for rolls and controlled bounces | Adds power without sacrificing control |

Bella stresses that the wrist should be your default hinge for most playing. Avoid elbow-driven strokes that lock the wrist and reduce fluidity.

Snare Drum Basics: Mastering the Fulcrum and Grip

The fulcrum is the pivot point where the stick moves in your hand and is central to control. Bella prefers a three-finger fulcrum: thumb pad on the stick (they reference the American flag marking on Vic Firth sticks as a guide), first finger, and third finger providing the pivot, with the ring and pinky supporting. If your stick brand doesn’t have markings, aim for about one-third up from the butt end, adjusting for balance and feel. Stick weight, distribution, and brand will all influence the exact spot.

Pressure vs. Tension: Rethinking Control

Instead of telling students to “add more tension” or “loosen up,” Bella uses the word pressure. This helps players think in terms of subtle grip adjustments rather than overall tightness.

For example:

| Pressure Level | Resulting Sound | Possible Use Case |

|----------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|

| Light | Open, resonant buzz roll | Soft passages, legato phrasing |

| Medium | Controlled strokes with definition | General playing |

| Heavy | Dead strokes, staccato effect | Articulated rhythmic passages |

Experimenting with pressure in your fulcrum is a quick way to refine tone and dynamic control.

Playing as an Extension of Your Voice

Bella’s most important concept is philosophical: your snare drum is not just an instrument; it’s your voice. How you articulate, shape, and connect notes mirrors how you speak. Thinking this way shifts focus from “striking the drum” to “communicating a message.” This mindset applies across solo work, chamber ensembles, and full orchestras.

Student Action Plan: Turning Concepts into Daily Practice

1. Wear ear protection every time you practice.

2. Warm up using each hinge separately: fingers, wrists, arms.

3. Check your fulcrum balance point each session.

4. Run pressure drills: play a buzz roll and gradually increase pressure from light to heavy, listening to the tonal change.

5. Play a short phrase imagining you’re speaking a sentence—experiment with dynamics and articulation to “say” it differently.

   
   

Closing Thoughts: Your Voice in the Music

Snare drum basics are more than a checklist—they’re the foundation for your musical identity. By protecting your hearing, refining your motion, mastering your grip, and thinking like a communicator, you’ll not only play better but say more through your instrument. The next time you sit down at the drum, ask yourself: What do I want my audience to hear me say?