New Snare Drum, need help!

[Tockwork]

Hi, I traded an old trumpet for a snare drum a couple months back.

Now I need to do some maintenance it seems, and here are the issues:

The drum head underneath (the clear one on top of the snare beads) has a hole in it, how will that effect the performance of the snare drum?

Also, the snare switch is missing a screw, and it is rotating. If I push the snare switch towards the drum and play, it sounds very tight as a marching snare.

Anything I can do to improve the condition of this? I will post pics soon.

[backtodrum]

First off you need to change the bottom head. You can buy a new purpose head called a snare side head, you will want to start there. If you are unsure about how to put it on and tune it, have a tech at the music store change the head. As far as your (snare switch) that is called a snare strainer,or snare throw off. I don't know what to tell you because I can't tell from your description what really is the problem. There is a rotating knob on most strainers that loosen and tighten the snare wires by turning the knob the appropriate direction. I would say just keep adjusting that until you get the tension and sound that you want.

[backtodrum]

Oh and welcome to the forum!

[Larrysperf]

you can get a tune up at any good drum shop

[ratmycue]

sounds like the mount screw for the strainer is missing or loose, plus the head will def need changing, if you are not close to a good drum store, take pics before you remove anything, do it slowly and just reverse the steps when you re assemble,
, If this is your first attempt take a note of how many full counter turns are on the lugs [the screws that hold the head on] when you undo them to remove the head.This will let you at least get somewhere back to where it is already tuned. there is a good vid on youtube about tuning a snare. I will have a look and post it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxm3QunDjUs good luck,

[pastor_bob]

Man, that really was a great tutorial vid Rat.

[ratmycue]

Man, that really was a great tutorial vid Rat.

Easy now PB, thats two compliments in one day!!!

[Larrysperf]

yea he get red on everything if you give him tomany complaments