Why Drummers Use Two Identically Tuned Snare Drums Next to Each Other: A Trick Question?
Is this a trick question? If it isn’t, no decent drummer would do this. The whole point of having different drums is to have different sounds and despite the monstrous size of some drum sets, space is actually at a premium. No decent drummer would crowd themselves with identical-sounding drums. To justify having a second snare drum that drum would have to sound different from the first.
Unless it’s some kid setting up two snare drums for show. I remember the days when huge stacks of amps were the fashion and sometimes people would make cheap boxes without speakers and set them up to make it appear that they had a huge stack of amps. Drummers are not immune to a similar temptation and I sometimes suspect that monster drum sets are more for show than for playing. Even so, a good drummer wouldn’t do this.
But this could be a trick question. I’m assuming that “identically tuned” means “sounds the same.” In theory, two snare drums could be tuned identically as in having the same fundamental pitch but sound different from each other because of the size or make of the drum. It’s actually typical for a second snare drum to be a different size than the first, usually smaller. But two snare drums that sound the same makes no sense.
Introducing the Popcorn Snares!
Side snare drums are often called popcorn snares. Your primary snare drum is likely to be 14 inches across, usually made of wood but sometimes steel. A popcorn snare is usually closer to 10 inches across. Some people might use a picallo snare instead, which could be 13 inches across but a few tiny inches deep compared to nearly 7 inches deep on some main snare drums.
While the pitch they hit could be similar, the popcorn snare is intended to cut. A 14x6 softwood snare drum is booming. A 14 steel one cuts. That was my setup covering this song.
Volume and Synergy in Drumming
The spatial volume of sound varies so greatly that you could never get away with one snare. I haven’t studied this exact rendition in a while but, off-hand, if I didn’t have a popcorn, I would first go to side-clicking, which is so boring to play and hear.
When it’s mostly the one guy singing, I keep the footsteps beat on the main snare. For the lighter stuff, I go light on the popcorn snare. Where it really shines is in the wall of sound rockout third act. We put a piano solo there, so I have to take a minimal approach to give him some room, ride bell, and popcorn snare stay above where the piano is. They cut high in the register where the 14 wood would stay right in that baritone range and muddle everything.
It’s an indoor/outdoor voice type of thing. Sometimes you scream to be heard, sometimes you take out the projection to try and keep a secret. The overall tightness and sharpness of a smaller drum allow for more intimate tone and articulation.
The Party in the USA Song
Party in the USA seems to want to be a verse/chorus split. The verse is all about being a fly on her shoulder. She joins the party in the chorus, and your tone should reflect that.
By utilizing a secondary snare drum, drummers can create a rich, dynamic sound that complements the music they play. Whether it's adding depth to a solo section, enhancing the chorus, or providing a distinctive sound for a particular musical style, a second snare drum can significantly enhance the overall performance.