A snare drum having an improved throw off includes a strainer shaft and a strainer bar both extending through the interior of the drum shell. The strainer bar is linked to the strainer shaft, a snare assembly is connected to the strainer bar, and a handle rotates the strainer shaft which moves the strainer bar and snare assembly between an upper position in which the snares of the snare assembly are engaged with the bottom head of the drum, and lower position in which the snares are disengaged from the bottom head. The snares are in parallel relation to the bottom head of the drum throughout the range of movement between the upper and lower positions. In one embodiment, the drum comprises a wood laminate and the top and bottom shell caps comprise carbon fiber.