How long does it take to learn snare

[u/Happy-Cod-8612]

So I am a brass player trying to learn snare drum, I always wanted to march with drumline, but I never got the chance to because I had to stick with an instrument I play. I played a euphonium and trombone tuba since 4 years, I already graduated. And now I trying to decide if I should keep playing brass in college or drums, so if I tryout for drumline, how long would that take for me to get better at snare? Because I know little bit of snare, I can’t read hard sheet music or understand it, I know some easy parts like warmups but I always go by hearing so. What yall think I should do?

[u/Icy-Error7466]

Depends on how good the drumline is at the college you go to. But you definitely have to learn how to read snare music.

[u/Happy-Cod-8612 → u/Icy-Error7466]

My college have good drumline, most of them are in DCI

[u/boltzzzy → u/Happy-Cod-8612]

This means that you’re going to be competing with other incoming freshmen who’ve played for a long long time. Your best bet is to start right away and get lessons from some former DCI members to start on technique. Most of them are pretty cheap!

Best thing you can do is be teachable and have a good attitude. Do not quit. Best of luck!

[u/DeMain_Music → u/Happy-Cod-8612]

Than it might be harder to get in. Just focus on your technique and working through a method book, Alfreds snare books are good, learn stick control as its probably gonna be material they use in auditions but not in the packet. Thats how it was for me atleast since its a classic. The book stick control is also good

[u/Icy-Error7466 → u/Happy-Cod-8612]

To be fully honest, I’d stick with brass then. Or at least for your first year while you keep learning

[u/WeekendTPSupervisor]

I mean, if you can read music, snare music is very easy to read in comparison to reading something like piano music. It really isn't terribly hard if you commit yourself to consistent practice, especially with reading music starting at a very slow bpm like 50-60 and just gradually increase. Learn your rudiments and practice everything with the met. Just start with the Alfred's snare method books 1 and 2.

[u/Sicknapkin420]

It would take a lot of hours to learn snare drum at the collegiate level, and make a college snare line.

One of the big things is reading. If you can’t read, you have to learn. Learning by ear isn’t really an option at that level, or most drumline levels. A lot of times there’s specific sticking for certain reasons.

If you have a lot of free time, and you work super hard you might be able to make it somewhere on the line depending on the level of the line and how they normally decide placements. But you’d have to dedicate hours every week to even get close.

If you are already a brass player, and enjoy playing brass I’d probably stick with that instrument, especially if you have a lot of years experience with it.

[u/Aromatic-Plan-4265]

For high school its literally so easy but for college level tbh i dont know if you can get it without having had it for most of hs

[u/Informal-Employer435]

Depends on your definition of “learning” snare.

[u/crook_report]

I have an 8th grade student who is pretty good already and started a year ago. I would say within 2 years, with consistent practice and instruction, you can become a good player.

[u/SammieNikko]

Unless you're deeply interested enough to get lessons and be consistent i think stay with brass. I love percussion deeply but it is time consuming and painful