Stand in back of the snare drum with your legs spread shoulder-length apart to balance and support the weight of your body. Proper posture will help you create a strong, powerful snare sound.
Grasp a drumstick with your right hand and ensure that your fingers are wrapped around the top of the stick. The palm of your hand should be facing parallel to the floor and your wrist should be about three inches above the top of the snare. This will provide the best rebound, improving your sound.
Position your right elbow three to four inches away from the side of your body. Relax your shoulders, while keeping them slightly back. Avoid hunching over the drum.
Ensure that the drumstick lines up directly with the line of your forearm. Imagine the stick as an extension to your arm.
Tilt the palm of your right hand slightly inward at an angle of 20 to 25 degrees to the top of the snare drum.
Turn your left palm upwards and hold the drum stick between your thumb, index and middle fingers. The thumb should be on the inside of the stick, facing your body. The index and middle finger serve to hold the outside of the stick. Tilt the hand to the left at approximately a 20 to 25 degree angle. Your pinky will be the lowest part of your hand when done correctly.
Strike the snare drum as close to the middle of the snare head as possible when playing. This will provide a rich, round sound. If you play toward the side of the drum, the sound will be weak and thin. The position of your drum strike plays a crucial role in determining the quality of sound.
Keep both drum sticks in a "V" formation to achieve the best possible sound.
View the snare drum as a clock. The top lug will be 12 p.m. Keep your sticks angled inwards toward the center at about 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.