How to Tune Marching Tenors, Quints, Quads

This will teach you how to correctly tune your marching tenors and get them sounding good.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drum key (preferably a high tension drum key)
• Drum stick

1. Make sure the drums are off the ground. If you try and tune them on the ground they will give you a different tone then when picked up. A friend or stand may be useful for this.

2. Start with the highest pitched drum and tighten the lug nuts starting with one and then the one across from that one. Tighten the lug nuts evenly until its at the pitch you like. There is no "correct" tuning except of what you consider correct. Continue on to the next drum which is after the highest drum in pitch and so on.

3. If the drum heads are new don't tighten the heads all the way to where you want them. Tighten them to about half way of where you want them and let the heads stretch over night then tune them the rest of the way.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a friend hold the drums or put the drums on a stand while you tune them.
• Playing the drums in the right spots will make them hold there tuning better.
• Take your time. Good tuning goes a long way!
• Always have a extra drum heads while tuning in case one may break.