How to Put on a Marching Snare Drum

Put a snare drum and a snare drum carrier together. For a traditional look or more extensive movements such as high stepping, the strap would be best. In turn you may experience more back and shoulder aches. The carrier or harness, on the other hand, distributes the weight evenly on both shoulders. With a carrier or harness, you will experience fewer aches and pains, but these pains will be more balanced if not less intense.

Modify your drum, if necessary. For certain carriers you will have to fix certain gadgets on the drum itself, which may require additional tools. Usually the drum shell or the tension rods are used for attachment purposes. See the construction manual for the carrier for more specific information for your specific carrier.

Place the carrier on your shoulders and against your torso without the drum attached. Adjust the belly plate (and back plate, if applicable) to the proper height to ensure a comfortable position.

Adjust the attachment apparatus to achieve the proper height of the drum. Approximate without the drum by pretending to play with the sticks in your hands. Some additional adjustments would have to be made with tilting mechanisms.

Make your final adjustments. Further adjustments in height should be done without the drum attached, if possible. You may have to play the instrument to find the ideal positioning. The less weight you have to adjust, the easier it is to do it.