How to Tune a Metal Snare Drum

Learning to tune your metal snare drum is an essential part of becoming a successful drummer. It is one of the most important drums in the entire set and helps set the beat of every song it's in. If your drum isn't tuned properly it will play the wrong pitch and put out a terrible sound. The process can be difficult for the first timer. With practice, you should be able to master the skill. This article will explain how to tune a metal snare drum.

Things You'll Need

• Resonance head Drum Key Snare drum mount

Instructions

1. Take off both the batter and resonance head from the metal snare drum. Inspect the whole drum, looking for damaged or loose pieces. After examining the drum thoroughly, set the drum batter head down on a hard, flat surface, like a table top or floor.

2. Place the resonance head back on the snare drum. Gently turn the nuts on the drum until they reach the rim of the snare drum.

3. Grab the drum key and use it to tighten the rods on the metal drum. The rods should be tightened until they form a star-like pattern. Turn the key on each rod half a turn. Each rod should get two full turns apiece.

4. Turn the drum over. Test it. Listen carefully to the sounds the drum makes. You do not want to hear rattling noises. Also listen for any type of distortion to the drum's tone. If you do hear rattling or distortion, just turn the nuts slightly until there is none.

5. Place the drum once again batter side down on a flat surface. Take the drum key. Move it approximately 1 inch or so away from the lug nut. Tap it against the drum. Repeat this process with each lug nut. You will have to tighten the drum up until it reaches its highest known pitch.

6. Put the metal snare drum on your drum mount. Now give each lug nut a quarter of a turn. Test the drum again for distortion.

7. Repeat this whole process on the batter head of the metal snare drum. After you have tuned the batter head, your snare drum is completely tuned.

Resources

• Tips for Tuning Snare Drum
• Metal Snare Drum Heads
• Snare Drum Shells