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[T1369]Tuning A Drum Set

by Victor Epand, Vic

So while tuning your drum set, you can start by tuning the snare drums.

Tune the top head at the very start. Turn each lug clockwise to increase the tension of the head and to increase the drum pitch. You can also, tune one lug and then tune the lug on its opposite side preferably 180 degrees away. The drums are bound to sound better when you do not tune these lugs in a circular sequence. However, be careful not to tune it too high, as the heads tend to break easily.

While tuning your drum set test the pitch of each lug when finished by lightly playing about one inch away from the lug with a drumstick Also, make sure while tuning your drum set that all lugs have equal pitch. At this point your drum should be tuned.

The next step in tuning your drum set is by tuning the toms.

You can start by tuning the bottom head of each tom-tom. You can then use the same tuning sequence as the snare technique for tuning each lug and then its opposite. After tuning the bottom move to the head. The head is where the pitch is located. Thus, it is very important that you have an idea of what pitch you want. Tune it to the pitch you want.

After you have got the right pitch, check each lug pitch so that it matches the others in the same manners as the snare drums.

After tuning your toms, the next step in tuning your drum set is the bass drums.

Start by tuning the head at first. It is advisable not to spend too much time tuning, as the head does not have much impact on the sound of the drum. After you have spend time tuning the head, you can start tuning the lug of the back head in the same manner as you tune the toms and snare. You should make sure your drum is tuned neither too high nor too low. Bass drum sounds really depend on the style of music you're playing and how much impact the drum has with the group you play with.

When tuning your drum set, you must initially imagine the tones you want to hear, it is then important that you must discover how to tweak those exact tones from each drum. While tuning your drum set look closely at your snare drum and try to decide exactly what factors most affect the tonal quality.

Notice the square headed screws around the top and bottom rims of the drum. They are known as tension rods or tension screws. They screw into the lugs, which are usually mounted permanently on the sides of the shell of the drum. You may tighten or loosen these screws with a tool called a drum key.

A drum key can be purchased at any music store for a dollar or two. Adjustments to the tension screws with a drum key will affect the tension on the drumhead, which will raise or lower the pitch of the drum.

However, tuning your drum set depends more on your ear and the tone you want.

Grasping the simple art of drum making is easy... it doesn't matter how much drum building experience you have or how good of a drummer you are, YOU can learn to make a drum set with barely any tools and build it practically anywhere. One of our clients that saw our Guerrilla Drum Making DVD built an entire drum kit in his apartment in Japan, another one is about 10 years old.

Here's my 5 key reasons why YOU should take the DIY drums route and learn how to make a drum set.

#1. Make a Drum Set and Save Money: Saving money is a byproduct of knowing how to make a drum set; it's like a mechanic working on his own car. Ofcorse he's gonna save money, he's not paying for labor!

And here's a little secret that people hate to hear: both custom drum builders and major drum companies use drum supplies that YOU can get your hands on. Woops... it slipped. The cats out of the bag.

In fact, you could save up to 70% of your money by getting supplies to make a drum set rather than ordering a customized drum set from a notable drum company. I've seen company price quotes as high as $5,000... and you can make a drum set exactly like it for $1700 or less. In fact, if you have $5k, you can make a drum set, and then make another drum set, and then make another drum set. Not bad... 3 drum sets for the price of 1.

#2. Don't Settle! Make A Drum Set Thats Perfect For You: Don't settle on something when you can make a drum set that fits you like a glove. Nobody sees your dream better than you do, so take control and believe that you can make a kit that lives up to your dreams.

And you have the ability to hunt down all the products you want in order to make a drum set of the highest quality. Whether your aiming to make a kit for the studio, the rehearsal room or a kit that's going to get the beating of life on tour, you can easily make a drum set to fit the drumming lifestyle you live.

#3. Make a drum set and Save a Ton of Time: How long would it take YOU to make a drum set? Great question. I've made a drum set in one day after getting the products a week after ordering them. Not bad. The first custom drum set I ordered from DW drums took about 8 months to get to me. Not Good. 240 Days for an ordered kit versus 8 days to make a drum set? I'll take the latter... thanks.

#4. Drum Making is a Blast: Most do-it-yourself projects aren't that fun. We've all helped a family member tile his own bathroom and it sucked. But make a drum set and challenge yourself... put some passion into the kit you'll be sitting behind night after night.

In my opinion, the entire process to make a drum set is a blast...from seeing your vision to bringing it to life.

#5. Make a Drum Set Once... and Have Drums For Life: Once you find out how easy it is to make a drum set, you're a drum maker for the long haul. You'll retain the methods and know-how for the rest of your life. You can always hop right in and make a drum set or custom snare drum if you have the budget.

You'll have the ability to add to your drum set whenever an extra drum needs to be used, build a snare drum for your upcoming studio recording, make a drum set for your colleagues, and more. And as I say in the title of this article, once you know how to make a drum set... You'll never look back.

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Both Victor Epand & John Dutra are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Victor Epand has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Trucks and Interest. Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, and synthesizers. You can find the best marketplace for guitars, drums, and synthesizers at these 3 sites: