Tuning your drums is essential to achieving the best sound, but it can be tricky if you’re not sure where to start, and the last thing you want to do is waste time messing around with your drums.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to tune drums. We’ll walk you through the key steps to getting your drums to sound their best, from avoiding common mistakes to understanding the right methods. By the end of it, you should have some straightforward techniques under your belt, ready to tune your drums quickly and efficiently.
In a hurry?
At a glance, here are the key steps to tuning your kit:
- Decide whether to change your drum heads
- Use your drum key to tune the resonant head
- Tune the batter head
- Stretch the head
- Fine-tune your drum heads
Our favourite drum kit at the moment
The Premier Revolution 22″ 5pc Drum Kit is our chosen kit for drummers who want a model from a heritage brand, something that blends high-quality construction with affordability.
This kit includes a 22″ bass drum, 10″ and 12″ rack toms, a 16″ floor tom, and a 14″ snare, all crafted from durable poplar wood. It delivers a warm, punchy sound, making it suitable for various musical styles.
The kit comes with a complete set of hardware, including double-braced stands for extreme stability during heavy drumming. Its stylish black finish gives it a sleek, professional look, perfect for both stage and studio settings.
In terms of suitability, the Revolution kit is ideal for players at an intermediate level who want to upgrade from a beginner kit without breaking the bank.
It’s also a great option for experienced drummers looking for a reliable secondary kit for practice or smaller gigs.
What you need to tune drums
To tune your drums, you’ll need a few tools. The most essential tool is a drum key, this is crucial for adjusting the tension rods on each drumhead and can also be used to make adjustments to your other hardware such as hi-hat or kick pedals. A purpose-built drum tuner can also be helpful for precise tuning and ensuring consistent tension across the drumhead, but many drummers do this by ear so it isn’t essential.
If you’re looking to make your kit sound better in general, a set of drum dampeners can go a long way in controlling any unwanted overtones. Finally, a soft cloth and drumhead cleaner will help keep your drumheads in good condition for years to come.
Understanding the drum
Before you start tuning, it’s good to have a bit of a general understanding of how your drums work.
The drum shell is the main body; it’s typically made from wood, most commonly maple. The material of the drum shell can drastically impact the sound of the drum. For example, maple is popular for its bold and balanced sound. On the other hand, birch has a more crisp tone, with an increased presence of higher frequencies.
Attached to the drum shell are drum lugs, which hold the tension rods in place. These rods are adjusted with a drum key to tighten or loosen the drumheads. There are two drumheads: the top one which is known as the batter drum head (the one you hit) and the bottom one, known as the resonant drum head (this controls resonance and sustain).
The hoops are metal rings that fit over the drumheads, holding them securely to the shell with the help of drum claws.
Tightening the tension rods with the hoops in place will cause the drum skin to be pulled taut, and in turn, the pitch of the drum will increase – loosening the rods has the opposite effect.
Finally, vents are small holes in the shell that allow air to escape, affecting the drum’s tone and projection.
How to tune drums
1. Decide whether to change your drum heads
How often you should change a drum head depends largely on how frequently you play and the intensity of your drumming. If you play regularly, you might need to replace your drum heads every few months; if you’re more of a casual drummer, it might only be once or twice a year.
If you notice the drum head losing its tone, showing dents, or feeling less responsive, it’s time for a change. Fresh drum heads ensure better sound quality and responsiveness, making it easier to tune your drums and maintain their overall performance. At Gear4music, we offer an expansive range of drum heads, including mesh heads for low-volume playing and packs for changing multiple heads at once.
If you are fitting a new drumhead, start by loosening the tension rods with your drum key, taking off the hoops and lifting the old drumhead away from the shell. Next, place the new drumhead onto the drum shell, ensuring it’s centred properly. Then, put the hoop back in place and lightly tighten the tension rods in a criss-cross pattern. This keeps even pressure on the drumhead.
Once all rods are finger-tight, press down gently on the centre of the drumhead to help it settle. After that, detune the tension rods again by loosening them slightly. This allows the drumhead to relax and prevents any wrinkles.
2. Use your drum key to tune the resonant head
To tune the resonant head – the head on the bottom of the drum – begin by placing the drum on a flat surface, then use your drum key to tighten each tension rod in a star pattern.
The exact pattern you follow will depend on how many tension rods the given drum has, but as a rule of thumb, you should tune one tension rod, then the one opposite, and work like that across the drum head, making a five-pointed star pattern. This ensures even tension across the drum head and avoids over-tightening any one area.
Once some basic tension is in the skin, is best to tighten each rod with a half turn of the drum key at a time. As you go, lightly tap the drum around the edge of the head with a drumstick. You’re aiming for the pitch to be consistent at every point on the head’s circumference. Continue tightening until any wrinkles in the head are gone and the tension feels even.
Finally, hit the head lightly to check the overall tension and make any final adjustments. A well-tuned resonant head will enhance the drum’s overall tone and sustain.
3. Tune the batter head
The process for tuning the batter head – the head at the top of the drum – is the same as for the resonant head. Make sure to use small adjustments each time and consistently check the pitch of the drum by tapping the head around its edge.
4. Stretch the head
As you tune your drum, you’ll need to properly seat the drumhead to ensure a stable tuning. After you have performed the initial tuning phase with the tension rods tightened, press firmly in the centre of the drumhead with the palm of your hand. This action helps to ‘break in’ the head, allowing it to stretch and settle onto the drum shell.
You may hear a crackling sound while doing this – don’t worry, this is normal and indicates the head is sitting correctly. As you press down, you’ll notice any wrinkles in the drumhead begin to disappear, which is a good sign that the tension is becoming more even.
After seating the head, you might need to retighten the tension rods slightly, following the same criss-cross star pattern. This process ensures that the drumhead is fully stretched and ready for fine-tuning.
5. Fine-tune your drum
To fine-tune your drum, begin by muting the opposite head. If you’re working on the top (batter) head, place the drum on a soft surface to silence the bottom (resonant) head, and vice versa. This helps you focus on the tone of the head you’re tuning without interference from the other.
Now, adjust the tension rods gradually whilst tapping the edge of the head and work towards a tone that best suits your style (or just one that you prefer!).
As you do this, you’ll want to decide on the relationship between the top and bottom heads. If you tune both heads to the same pitch, the drum will produce a resonant, singing tone with a lot of sustain. This is ideal if you’re looking for a rich, full-bodied tone but not so suitable for fast-paced songs.
Alternatively, tuning the heads to slightly different pitches or specific intervals can create a more focused sound with a shorter sustain. This is useful if you want a punchier, more controlled tone. Experiment with different relationships between the batter and resonant heads – it’s a great way to train your ear!
Our drum tuning tips
Tune your drum in relation to other drums in your kit
When tuning, it’s important to consider how each drum sounds in relation to the others. Start by tuning the largest drum, like the bass or floor tom, and then work your way up to the smaller drums. This helps create a balanced overall sound where each drum complements the others. Ensuring that your drums are in harmony with each other will make your kit sound cohesive and well-rounded.
Some producers and studio engineers have been known to tune an artist’s kit to match the key of a song when recording, this is so that the drums don’t clash with other melodic elements within a track. For example, if the low tom is tuned to a D# and the bass guitar is playing an E, you might get some unwanted dissonance. By tuning the toms up to an E, everything will sit in harmony.
However, many producers don’t worry about this at all; it’s down to personal preference.
Use drum dampeners
Drum dampeners are essential for controlling overtones and achieving a cleaner sound. They help reduce excessive resonance and unwanted ringing, giving you more control over your drum’s tone. Whether you prefer gels, rings, or internal dampening systems, using dampeners can help you tailor your sound to suit different playing environments, from the studio to live performances.
Experiment with different types to find the right balance for your kit – some people just use their wallets!
Keep your drums in good condition
Regular maintenance is key to keeping your drums sounding their best. Replace worn drumheads, check the tension rods for smooth operation, and clean the drum shells to prevent a build-up of dust and grime.
You should also your drum hardware is in good working order, tightening any loose parts.
FAQs
What is the best way to tune drums?
The best way to tune drums is to evenly tighten the drumheads by adjusting the tension rods in a star-shaped pattern. Tap near the drum head around the edge of the drum to ensure the tone is consistent all the way around. You can then start fine-tuning by ear until you get your desired tone.
What frequency should I tune my drums to?
The frequency you should tune your drums to depends on the drum size and the sound you’re after. Generally, snare drums are tuned between 200-400 Hz, toms between 100-300 Hz, and kick drums around 60-100 Hz. Experiment to find the pitch that complements your music.
Can I use a guitar tuner for drums?
A guitar tuner is not suitable for tuning drums because it’s designed for specific string frequencies. Drums have complex overtones and require specialised tuners or tuning by ear. Use a drum tuner or reference pitch for accurate tuning.
Final thoughts
There we have it! That’s how to tune drums! It’s simple once you get the hang of it, and by following our tips, you’ll be tuned up in no time. Remember, the right sound depends on your personal style and the music you play, so take these tips and try various tunings to find what works best for you.
For further reading, check out our other drum articles:
How to Set Up a Drum Kit – A Beginner’s Guide
The 9 Best Drum Dampeners for Controlling the Tone of Your Kit
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