The snare drum and other percussion instruments such as cymbals, bells, and other drums don't have strings, or a mouth piece to blow into.  The percussion family is hit or struck either by the hand or a stick.  The stick has a special name called a drum stick.  A drum stick is something that looks like a stick person without the legs or arms.  The drums stick is used to make the beating sound out of a drum. The snare drum is used to keep the beet or to have special rolls before the beginning of a piece.