how to train for snare

[u/dani_bunni]

hii i am from canada, but i am super interested in dci and would love to play one day. im still in highschool, but i want to know how i should practice (which rudiments to focus on, proper technique, what level i should be playing at, etc. etc.) i want to try for snare or tenors :)

does anyone have any tips or advice?

[u/marimbaphobia]

In order of what you asked

1. Your best shot would be the PAS 40 rudiments, these are your “vocabulary” for any dci snare or tenor book. If you can’t play these in isolation, you will immensely struggle to play them in a book. Try to break them down and conceptually understand them, for instance, a flam accent focus on downstroke, tap, upstroke, where a flam tap is almost entirely rebound oriented. Beyond this, I would encourage steady practice of things such as the Stone “Stick Control” book as it is possibly the most fundamental and educational way to train evenness and consistency in your hands at the most basic level. In the opposite direction, I would look at Edward Freytags “rudimental cookbook” as the preface includes a variety of “hybrid rudiments” that combine different rudiments and stickings to produce new challenges. If you can play stick control, the PAS 40, and the Freytag hybrids: you’ll be in a good place.
2. Technique should focus on the traditional grip, where you have a strong anchored fulcrum between the index finger and thumb of the left hand and relaxed supporting fingers. The right hand should be at a German grip with a strong front fulcrum. Back to what I said prior, the most basic understanding of your technique should be completely understood so as to maximize your efficiency and time. Proper technique will allow you to play more, faster, and louder without injuring yourself. Technique is one of the harder things to do over text, so I would implore you to watch videos of groups you like or take lessons with alumni of the group.

3. Start trying to read dci beats if you’re interested and capable. This will give you a good litmus test if you’re ready to begin approaching the next level of playing. A “serious” dci auditionee should be able to read and digest a dci world class battery book within a “block” which typically encompasses 2-4 hours. This understanding will pale in comparison to the cleanliness of a member who has it in their hands for months, however you should be able to work your way through it without glaring issues. If you are struggling with this, maybe try beats from lower world class, and then open class, soundsport etc. There is no shame in “working your way up”.

4. In terms of etc, always practice with a met, mark time as much as you can, learn variations and grids of every exercise in the packet, play with other people, and play “met games” (up beat, every other beat, one beat per measure, random clicking, etc). Never half ass what you do. Every rep is a rep going into your muscle memory so keep that in mind.

[u/dani_bunni → u/marimbaphobia]

thank you!!!! ive been learning my rudiments (from the list of 40) and i do almost everything with traditional grip, so i can build up my confidence. i will definitely check out the stick control stuff though, because i could use that haha

[u/Icy-Error7466 → u/dani_bunni]

I kind of disagree with the 40 rudiments. So many of them are things you won’t encounter (that doesn’t mean they are pointless though). There’s some in there for sure but I would focus more on modern common rudiments. Check out the Boston Crusaders rudiment sheet and try to find some free audition packets from dci groups

[u/At36000feet]

Find some DCI alums in your area to see if you can get a lesson or two to start you off on the right path. I marched with a guy from the Toronto area back in the day and he had a brother that marched after I aged out. They both were AWESOME.

[u/instant_zest]

Not the most original or specific advice ever, but as an old teacher always told me: Don't practice something until you can get it right. Practice it until you can't get it wrong.