Tuning Tips
by Bob Gatzen

ATTENTION! Improper installation can permanently damage a new drumhead. Please carefully follow this procedure to ensure maximum performance and extended playing life of the head.

STEP 1: PREPARATION

Prepare your drum. Use a clean dry cloth to wipe off the hoop and bearing edges, removing stick shavings, dust, and any build-up that may have formed. Be sure to remove any debris that falls into the drum.

Place the head onto the drum and spin it around the bearing edge to ensure clean contact.

Tighten the tension rods until they make contact with the hoop.

DO NOT APPLY PRESSURE TO THE HEAD YET.

STEP 2: TUNING UP

Following the "opposite lug sequence" (see illustrations), begin tensioning by turning each key rod 1 complete revolution. Repeat this procedure, then continue the tensioning sequence using smaller increments (1/2 turn). Tension the head to approximately the pitch of an average tuned snare drum (NOTE: pitches will vary in relation to the size of the drum you're tuning. A moderate to high amount of tension should be applied, but use caution. Excessive tension can cause damage to the head.)

Tap around the circumference of the head listening for high and low spots. Tension up the low areas in an effort to maintain evenness in pitch. It is not always possible to maintain perfect evenness, and it may be helpful to select one rod at a time, detune, and then bring the rod back up to pitch while tapping the edge. Listen closely to detect any improvement in the evenness of the overall sound.

TUNING TIP- Always tune below, then up to desired pitch.

STEP 3: HEAD STRETCHING

Place the drum on the floor or table (to isolate the sound of the top head). Tap the head dead center with the tip of your finger. Listen...then hum or sing the pitch and remember it.

Place your palm in the center of the head and, with your other hand on top, apply a firm amount of downward pressure using your arms. Listen to the pitch again, and remember the original pitch you hummed. If the pitch has lowered, tension the head up to the original pitch and repeat the procedure.

STEP 4: DETUNING/TUNING UP TO PITCH

Begin detuning, using the "opposite lug sequence" procedure until each key rod releases itself from the hoop. Then tweak each key rod back down again, making contact with the hoop.

Moving clockwise, tension each key rod in very small increments (1/4 turns) until the head begins to resonate.

Again, check for high and low spots. Tap the center for overall pitch (which will become clearer the more evenly the head is tensioned). Attempt to find the lowest possible pitch the head will resonate at.

TUNING TIP - Be aware that certain tension rods can be more effective than others to even out the sound of the head. Experiment!

Turn the drum over and tune the bottom head to approximately the same pitch as the top (batter) head. The overall sound of the drum begins by setting the pitch of the batter head and then getting the bottom head close to that pitch.

TUNING TIP- For maximum resonance and clarity, the bottom (resonating) head should be tuned to the relative tuning area of the batter head.

Good luck and good drumming.