How Do You Tune Your Drums?

I watched a Dave Weckl video, and he said to tune the top head slightly lower than the bottom head. I always thought it was the other way around. I quit playing drums 10 years ago, and recently started again. I used to be excellent at tuning, but I've really lost it. Give me some tips boys!

You can do it either way, whatever your preference is. I tune both heads to the same pitch. See the Drum Tuning Bible link in my sig.

I tune the bottom head slightly tighter, because then the drum doesn't have strange ringing with itself when you play.

i tune the same.

 

 

 

 

 

if they had to be deferent, i'd pick tighter on the bottom.

 

 

 

 

i also use and swear by the evans torque key.

Badly. Very badly.

With those little screw-dealies that go around the rim.

I typically tune the resonant head slightly tighter than the batter head to control how much the drum resonates. I've found that I get a punchier, quicker sound out of my toms when I tune them this way. Most other drummers that I know tune their drums this way, too.

Remember that Weckl plays music where more resonating toms are appropriate.

 

I like mine the same.

aint it so that when the resonant head is tighter, that special sound is made cause when you hit batter, it tightens and gets the same tuning as resonant head (for like a millisecond)?

I tune 'em both to the same tension. 9 times out of 10, I don't have adequate drum mics/PA, so I can use as much resonance as I can get.

I like drop G tuning.

i tune my drums to specific pitches.the heads the same pitch.

 

bass-g

10-a#

12-f

13-d

16-der..i forget..probably around a

snare-13"-d#

I tune my drums with the ......

 

 

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Top heads low. Just past wrinkle. Bottom heads tight.

Originally posted by Dr. Tweedbucket Illinois residence add 62% Sales tax and commision fees.

 

DAMMIT! Now I'm not getting one!

 

Originally posted by Wanker Top heads low. Just past wrinkle. Bottom heads tight.

 

 

YES! That's what works for me. Strong attack and good resonance.

Originally posted by ulank DAMMIT! Now I'm not getting one!

 

 

 

sorry, that's the rulez ......

 

Originally posted by Wanker Top heads low. Just past wrinkle. Bottom heads tight.

 

 

Word.

 

Originally posted by Wanker Top heads low. Just past wrinkle. Bottom heads tight.

 

 

Yep - works for my snare. I only just started to tune my drums this year when I started gigging with a band.

 

So far I can get a snare to a reasonable state, not ideal though, I still use some tape and a tissue to dampen it - I want to get away from that though.

 

I've still got the stock Pacific heads on my CX, they sound good, but I know Ive got to jump in the deep end and replace the lot.

 

Im a little apprehensive because I need to learn about different heads and then try some out and tune the whole kit up. Im nervouse that I'll make a good kit sound bad - but hey, I gotta go for it if I wanna learn it.

My only problem with tuning the top heads low is that you sacrifice stick response. I was having problems with my snare lately - was sounding good, but not great - so I cranked up the heads a bit more and everything came together soundwise. The other nice benefit was the added stick response. I also tuned up my 10 quite a bit tighter so it gives that very distinct "brrrap" to the attack - almost conga-like. For the lower toms, I do like a little more rumble so I'll sacrifice a bit of stick response there, but overall, I've found that going just past the wrinkle point just sucks up the stick and it's like playing on sand.