Snare Drum Roll

The snare drum can be sounded by hitting it with a drumstick or any other form of beater, including brushes and rutes, which produce a softer-sounding vibration from the wires. When the top head is struck the snares vibrate against the bottom head producing a cracking sound. Rolls are used by composers to sustain the sound and create other effects, the most common of which is using a roll to build anticipation.