How to Tune Drum Kits
A properly tuned drum kit is important for getting a good drum tone. Tuning a drum can be a difficult, time-consuming process. The process and goal are quite straight-forward. The level of ear training needed to hear the drum is properly in tune is much more difficult. A drummer also needs to be aware of the venue in which he is playing. A drum kit tuned to be heard acoustically in a small venue may not sound as good if it is being amplified through a microphone.
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Instructions
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1
Remove the drum heads and inspect them and the drum shell for damage. Replace any parts if necessary.
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2
Place the drum on a blanket with the resonant side of the drum facing up.
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3
Place the resonant drum head on the shell. Tighten the drum lugs so they just make contact with the rim.
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4
Place the drum keys on drum lugs opposite from one another. Tighten each a half turn.
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5
Move the keys to the next pair of drum lugs. Tighten these a half turn. Repeat this process around the drum until each drum lug has been tightened two full turns. This requires going all the way around the drum four times.
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6
Tap the drum with the drum key an equal distance from each lug.
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7
Adjust lugs by a quarter turn to bring the drum to the desired pitch. The drum should produce the same tone when tapped an equal distance from any drum lug.
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8
Turn the drum over and repeat Steps 3 through 7 for the batter head.
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9
Repeat Steps 1 through 8 for each drum in your kit.
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Tips & Warnings
Always tune up to the pitch. Tune down past the note and then back up to pitch anytime the drum needs to be tuned down. Drums need to be tuned to be heard by the audience. You will need to use a microphone to check the tuning if the drum will be amplified. The difficulty of drum tuning comes from the need to be able to hear that the drum is at the desired pitch and resonance. The proper tuning for a drum also changes from venue to venue. The same kind of drum can also require slightly different tuning from one manufacturer to the next. Trying to shortcut tuning without developing the ear training needed will usually result in poor drum tuning. Drum kits will progressively become easier to tune as a drummer gains experience with drum tuning.
