Easy step-by-step drum tuning

Tuning a drum kit can be very, very easy if you know how to do it and understand the simple concepts of drum tuning. Drums come in all shapes, sizes, and constructions and really what’s the point of spending $100 if not $1,000 dollars on a drum set if it doesn’t sound right. This article will give you an idea of ​​how to tune your drums quickly and easily.

STEP 1 – Buy Brand New Drumheads

Depending on the condition of your drum heads, you will most likely need to replace the upper heads and probably the lower ones. There is a separate section on buying drumheads that will work best with the type of drum you have. Different drumheads will produce a different sound and a selection of drumheads can be found here.

STEP 2 – Start with the Snare Drum

Remove both snare patches (assuming you’re replacing both). Attach the top head of the snare drum first. I recommend “breaking” the head by pushing your fist into the middle of the head but not too hard. This will stretch the head and make it more difficult to go out of tune with any possible changes in temperature. Hand tighten each lug around the drum. Then, using a drum tuner, tune one lug at a time by turning the key 2 full rotations. Next, fit the tab on the opposite side (at 180 degrees) of the drum in the same way. Repeat until you reach the original tab you started with. I recommend for a snare with a tight sound that you do this one more time, either by turning the reed 1 or 2 full rotations. Next, put on the bottom of your head and do the exact same thing. To get a perfect final sound, you need to make sure that the pitch of each lug is even. You do this by pushing your index finger on the drum head in the middle of the drum. Then, circle each tab 1 inch from the edge and strike once with a stick. Listen to the tone and make sure all terminals are the same.

STEP 3 – Tuning the bass drum

Again, remove both heads from the bass drum and place the new head on the beater side. Lightly squeeze all sides so that the head is secure. Since you’re going to want a low sound for this drum, you want the lowest pitch possible. To do this, push your hand into the middle of the drum and look at your reflection in the drum head. Loosen each tab and you’ll notice your face distort and the drumhead crinkle. Loosen and then tighten each tab to the point where your face is not distorted and wrinkles disappear. Do this around the bass drum on each lug. When you’re done, flip the lugs over one more time and do a quarter or half turn on each one. I recommend some type of cushioning pad on the inside or outside of the head. Next, you’ll want to place a pillow inside the drum that will absorb some of the sound and give it a deeper sound. So now onto the front head. Tuning the front is like tuning the side of the beater head. Lightly squeeze all tabs to the point where there are no wrinkles. Then push your hand into the center of the drumhead, loosen each lug so you can see the wrinkles, then squeeze to remove the wrinkles. That’s the basics.

STEP – Tune the Tom Toms

Tuning timpani can be a bit tricky as they can be tuned to a particular key. The key is not to focus so much on bringing the toms to a particular pitch, but to try to find the true pitch of the drum. You want the sound to be clear and resonant. If the sound produces a thud, the heads are too loose. If the timpani lose their pitch too quickly, they may be too tight. You want both heads to be tuned to the same pitch for the most resonant sound. The same principles apply to tuning the timpani as they do to tuning the snare and kick drum. Replace both heads, then hand tighten each tension rod. Once complete, go around one more time and make sure there are no wrinkles on the head. Once this is done, wrap around the tension rods once more and tighten with ½ turn. Do this on all the tension bars and listen to the sound it makes. Again, if it’s a thud, they’re too loose. If the sound dies out too quickly, they’re too tight. Once you find the perfect balance, push your finger slightly toward the center of the drum and hit your stick right next to each tension rod. The sound around the entire drum should be the same. Make sure that both the upper and lower heads are tuned to the same key.