You won't sound like a pro unless you tune your drums.The drums don't have a key like a guitar or piano, but as the heads stretch out they lose their tension and the "pop" you want out of a snare.The only thing you need to do is tune the drum with a drum key.
Step 1: The sound of the snare is no longer sharp and crisp.
If your drum sounds odd, you should re tune it.The sound will change when hitting it.You should get the same sound from places that are far away from the edge, such as the right edge of the drum.If you've replaced either head, you should re tune your snare.If you're having trouble with your sound, particularly the "decay" (how long the sound lasts for), you may have other issues.Before tuning the top head, make sure it is loose.
Step 2: If the bottom head is tight, it's time to test it.
The bottom of the drum has your thumbs around it.It should be manageable.It shouldn't have a lot of give because it is not tight.If you poke the palm of your hand with your fingers, you can get a good idea of how it feels.There should be some give.The head has wires across it.
Step 3: The snare wires need to be unlocked.
There are wires running across the drum.The wires are clipped down by two clamps on either side of the drum.The snares are free if you unlocked them.You would hear a deeper sound if you hit the top of the drum.The snares are unlocked.
Step 4: The nuts are around the head.
It is much easier to use a drum key if you just use your fingers.
Step 5: To tighten the top-most bolt, use a drum key.
To tighten it, turn the key clockwise 180 degrees.To test the head, use your thumb.It should be tight, but still have a small amount of give under your thumb.Turn it back a quarter turn if it is too tight.
Step 6: As you turn the first one, use the key to tighten the bottom-most bolt.
You want to tighten the bolts in opposite pairs in order to keep the tension on the drum.After the 12:00 bolt is tightened, move on to the 6:00.Before moving on, test the tightness.The drum head is a game of tug-of-war.If you want all sides to pull on the head equally, it has to be in one direction.
Step 7: tighten the bolts in opposite pairs around the drum head.
You tighten the 7:00 bolt if you move to the bolt at 1:00.You have to tighten the bolts evenly until you've moved around the drum.There are usually eight bolts.
Step 8: You can test the head with your thumb.
Test each spot by moving your fingers around the drum.You want tension throughout.To tighten the loose heads, use the drum key.The bottom head shouldn't be wrinkled when you're done.You need to give.Resonant heads are thin and can snap.
Step 9: All of the rods on the top head need to be loosened.
This is not necessary if you are doing a light tuning.If you want the best results, you should start from scratch.The tension rods are still in if the bolts are loosened so that there is no tension on the head.
Step 10: If you are tuning a new head, let the skin stretch.
To push the snare into the drum, use the heel of your hand.It will not fall out of tune as soon as possible because this stretches it out.
Step 11: The tension rods should be tightened by hand.
The snare catches should be unhooked.You can tighten the bolts on the head by turning the drum over.Use the same system of opposing pairs to tighten the snare.The first thing you should do is tune the 12:00 first and the 6:00 second.Then go to the 1:00 and the 7:00.Measure the distance from under the hoop to the top of the lug nut with a ruler.All of them should be even.This isn't necessary for casual players or those playing rock and roll.
Step 12: Use your drum key to tighten the rods.
You want to work on opposite sides.You would have force on both sides if there was a string connecting the tension rod to the rod directly across it.Start by moving all the way around the drum.
Step 13: The drum should be 1 inch away from each rod.
Hit the snare in front of the rods.It's more likely that the sound is different at each one.To make the rods sound the same, use your drum key.It will sound higher pitched if the rod is tightened.It will be a bit deeper if it is loosened.You can listen to the pitch on the percussion keyboard or piano.The head should be between G and B-flat.
Step 14: To test the sound of the snare, play it.
Is it tight enough for you?For better sounds, you want a tighter head.A slightly lighter head is what you want for deeper sounds.If you're going to adjust the rods again, make sure you remember to work in opposite pairs, and only turn each rod at a time.With a tighter head, you'll get more stick bounce.To make sure the tone is even, you should re-test the drum at each rod.
Step 15: The snare switch needs to be turned down.
You're ready to play when you've got the drum set up to your liking.The snare wires need to be applied evenly.They should be in a straight line through the middle of the drum.
Step 16: You can experiment to find the tone you're after.
Like a melody instrument, drum tuning is not a key.There are a lot of different sounds you can get out of a tuning drum, depending on your needs.You can either keep it a bit loose or tune it tighter for a high pitched snap.To find the sound you want, hit the drum frequently.The drum tone is subjective.You will find out what you like and don't like if you keep playing and tuning.Don't use wires or microphones to tune your drum.The drum needs to be heard cleanly and crisply.