How do you tune up the drums?

doublepeace · Newbie Alert Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 3

I have a question.... how do I tune up my drums?

DanielBM85 · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 10:57 am Post subject: Tuning

The attitude is genrally a less is more along the lines of how much tension you should apply, much of it is personal taste, there are a few big tips though
1) Dont forget resonant heads
2) Dont use any of the horrible manufacturer heads that the set came with
3) Dont read up on one specific tuning and just do it, personal style is great, i overtune all of my toms to have a more high pitch sound, with the vibe of my band it works great and one person's "perfect way to tune" wont ever work for you
4) If you do want to create a standard sound, pick up a tension key and you can set it exactly

Good luck bro, msg me on AIM if you have any questions
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Capitalism is where man exploits man, Communism is the other way around.

doublepeace · Newbie Alert Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 3

thanx a lot man...
that really helped me..
peace

guilherme_amaral · Not So Newbie Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Posts: 7

Tuning up drums is a matter os taste. What counts is how drums and bass sound playing along. There is no "miracle" to do it, just use your ears. But there's a good trick: While tuning up your drums, check if the the ton tons sound like the "La Cucaracha" tune. Try to play the riff using the floor ton and the ton tons. 3 notes on the floor ton, 1 note on the 2nd ton and 1 note on the 1st ton. It´s very funny and sometimes works ( you can even use it in drum solos...)
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Guilherme Amaral
Brazilian Drummer since 1995

DrumChick16 · House Cat Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Posts: 168

Dude! Before I tuned mine A LOT I could play george of the jungle! ask me somewhere else if you want me to teach you it's kinda confusing online
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~ Lily

Me drumming:
www.jeffreyatw.com/music/salsacore.mp3

shaneohack · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2003 7:28 pm Post subject:

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5260 Location: Kansas

Ha! Well played, Shane. Well played. Cool

doublepeace · Newbie Alert Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 3

DrumChick16 ... like were?

drumdude · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 2:27 pm Post subject:

i agree with daniel on the " doing your own thing" tecnique. but it is also good to do some research on how to tune. properly seating the head on the bead is crucial. so do some research, and use thos tips to get your own sound. Booze it.

Drummin_Dan · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:08 am Post subject:

I agree...saying just to "tune" is like saying to run before you can barely crawl. There are some basic "tuning rules" like seating the head. It's not really important, but if you remove the head and wish to place it on again, it's easier to tune since that's the way it was stretched. Also, it looks way better too Very Happy

. When you put on new heads you have to stretch them too, you put pressure on the head, they continue detuning for a bit, then the head stretches enough it'll stop detuning, but when you do that, the head will maintain in tune for alot longer.(Stretching, you basically put your palm on the center of the head and press. Don't try it with stock heads, they're like plastic wrap and give under pressure...literally....).
You have to get good at listening to overtones too. Stuff like that will make good drums sound great. There's always personal preference, but it's good to start learning. Different heads act differently keep in mind. Little things like that..

Tenor_freak · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 9:32 am Post subject:

I tune my toms up i give the floor tom a nice "do" sound then i go up in minor 3rds. my snare drum i setup deep and kinda trashy sounding. my bass drum i give a nice deep thud.
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-Larry PAHS Tenor proud Tama Rockstar DX owner

Drummin_Dan · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 10:25 am Post subject:

my bass drum skins are practically just on the bassdrum. Almost no tension whatsoever. Sounds great though Very Happy

. Snare is tuned to a nice crisp sound. Toms are in 3rds (They are most pleasing to the ear that way). Also, I set up a steel snare, needing a snare head, using a coated ambassador and a pinstripe on the top, tuned way way up to sound kinda latinoish. Has a neat sound though.