In Tune?

As we know drums need tuned just like any other musical instrument, and let me tell you that its time consuming to get them to sound like you really want. As there are many different types of drum heads and different types of shells. Its not hard to learn but hard to truly master the individual set as a whole. You may find that one shell sounds good 1 1/2 turns then when the next shell is tuned the same it resonates horribly. It can normally be tweaked at that point so the one drum doesn't sound bad but make sure you tune the others so they are in sync. 

Putting The Drum Head On

To refrain from a head wearing out sooner than later you should clean the rim with a damp cloth. It will also make it possible to tune the head probably without the head or the shell getting damaged by wood chips or dirt. Once this is done lay down the drum on carpet so it muffles the other side when you tune. Place the drum skin then the actual metal rim in place and hand tighten each lug. Now before we begin the actual process of tuning the drum its nearly an unforgivable sin to forget to stretch the head. Just like guitar strings needs stretched so do drum heads.

Tuning The Drum

Now its very easy and I wouldn't worry about breaking the head even if it does crack some but that's okay. Haven't ever broke one myself. To do this just place your hands together and give your drum CPR, rock on! Because soon after your done tuning your drums, they are going to sound alive. Hand tighten the lugs one more time then start tightening the lugs by small increments maybe 1 turn or 1/2 a turn at a time to get the head snug.

Be sure to avoid going in a circle as you want to seat the drum head evenly, more of a star pattern if you will. Tighten one side jump all the way to the other side. Rinse and Repeat. To finish tuning the head and take a drum stick and hit about 2 inches away from each lug and put each one at the same pitch by only tuning up or tightening the lug. Once head is in tune stretch the drum skin again and then check the tune one last time. Now if your wanting to loosen the head make sure to loosen it and then tighten it just by a 1/4th of a turn to ensure it doesn't loosen while you play. Finish up by tuning the other side of the drum. In most cases the resonant skin or bottom head can be looser than the top. 

TIP: If you have a lug nut that wants to fall out or loosen on its own take a small piece of tissue and wrap it around the nut then screw it in. 

Tuning The Snare

Before you begin on the snare its defiantly a good idea to turn off the snares. Begin by doing the same steps you did to tune the other drums and play around with the resonant head making it loose so it gives the snare a real pop. Don't have it too loose where it loses pitch but its really all a matter of preference so if one way doesn't work try again.

The snare is really the heart of the drum so do take your time on tuning it and preferable only tune it by 1/2 turns so it seats down nice and easy. Also if you have a real deep floor drum that rattles the snare take a small piece of tissue and put it in between the snares and the skin. Works wonders if and when you begin recording. Also take advantage of the type of snare you have. If its a low profile snare don't try and tune it to sound like a deep snare. 

Tuning The Bass Drum

Its really not all that different from any other drum other than its big and needs to sound like it can shake some windows in a small room. Most single ply skins you would tune the kick side of the bass higher than front side to give it a deep sound, but there are some heads that muffle the head so your able to tune the actual pitch of the drum easier and still have a deep sound.

I've always been against putting a pillow in bass drum but its only a matter of preference. I've done it before but with my skins I've really never had to. I've even seem some drummers use bed foam stuffed into a bass drum. So try whatever works and if your not up for new heads you could try the pillow trick to save a buck and muffle the crap out of it.