How to tune a drum
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How to tune a drum
Introduction
Tuning a drum is a simple process that will produce a smooth consistent tone by following some simple steps
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need
- A drum
- A drum key
- A drum stick
Steps
1
Step One
Choose a lug to act as your model lug, this will be how you know you have tuned all the lugs on each tuning pass
2
Step Two
Tap the drum head with the stick gently, approximately 2 inches from the lug in the direction of the center of the drum, this is your test tone
3
Step Three
Continuing with the lug on the opposite side of the drum from the model lug, tap on on the head gently. Using the drum key turn the lug until the tone is the same as the original tone.
4
Step Four
Moving in a clockwise direction (for consistency) tap on the drum head by the next lug
5
Step Five
Repeat step 3
6
Step Six
Repeat step 4 followed by step 3 until you have returned to the model lug.
7
Step Seven
Now test the tone of the center of the drum. If you are satisfied with the tone, then you are done. If not satisfied, then again starting with the model lug, turn each lug one quarter turn moving clockwise around the drum until you reach the model lug again.
8
Step Eight
Repeat step 7 until the drum makes a tone you like.
Overall Tips & Warnings
- Start with a lug that is located near a distinctive mark on the drum such as an air hole or muffler knob
- To compare the tones, tap the area being tuned twice followed by taping the test tone twice.
- When tuning multiple drums in a set, a similar tension should be used on each drum as well as the same relative tension between the top and bottom drum heads where applicable.
- The tone of a drum with both a top and bottom drum head can be equally influenced by the tension of both heads. Be sure to tune both sides of the drum with equal care.
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Anonymous
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How to Tune a Drum
Introduction
You love beating the tar out of those drums, but every so often, you need to take a minute to keep them tuned up. Your playing will improve because the head will have a uniform tightness across - and you'll sound better too!
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Things You'll Need
- drum kit
- tuning key
- sticks
Steps
1
Step One
The first thing you need to do is train yourself to know when a drum head is out of tune. Generally its pitch will sound flatter than it should; and your sticks may not rebound as crisply as they normally do. If you notice either of these symptoms, break out your tuning key and tune that drum!
2
Step Two
The tuning key is a small handheld wrench that fits over the lugs that keep the drum head stretched on the shell. Put the tuning key on any one of these pegs and turn it a half turn (usually clockwise).
3
Step Three
Now move to the opposite side of the drum head. Turn that peg a half turn.
4
Step Four
Now go 1/4 way around (in either direction) and turn that peg 1/2 turn, then directly across from that peg. Keep tuning in this way, turning pegs directly across from each other. Your goal is to stretch the head uniformly.
5
Step Five
As you tune, tap with your stick about 1/4 of the way in from the outer circumfrence of the head. Make sure you hear a uniform sound with each tap. If one area sounds flatter or sharper than its neighbors, it may be too tight or not tight enough - make an adjustment with your key unti it's uniform.
6
Step Six
You can stop tuning when your head produces a uniform sound regardless of where you strike it; and when you play a roll or some other rudiment, your sticks rebound they way you would expect.
Overall Tips & Warnings
- Don't overtighten - or you will have a broken head!
advisement
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