How to properly tune a drum and be glad you did.

If you've always wondered how to get your drums sounding right then you've come to the right place. A lot of drummers will allow their drum sets to get out of tune, which can then make everything else sound out of whack.

The goal of this article is to help percussionists learn how to keep their drum sets in tune. You'll also learn the basic tools that are used to tune the drums such as a drum key and a drum dial.

The drum set has many parts that can be tuned. However, cymbals cannot be tuned, so it's always better to spend a little extra money when buying cymbals. The Snare drum, kick drum, toms and floor tom all need to be tuned from time to time. Most drums are tuned using the same basic principle and the same method. Every time a drum head needs to be replaced or sounds out of pitch, it will need to be tuned. On every drum there is a rim (hoop), a tension rod, a tension rod holder (lug) and the drum head itself. A drum key will be needed to tighten the tension rods, although a drum dial is strongly recommended to get an excellent sound from your drum kit.

1) Begin with the drum head and the rim off your drum with the drum itself on the floor. First, clean the edge of the shell with a dry cloth to remove any dirt or dust.

2) Place the drum head on the drum & the rim (hoop) over the head. Tighten the lugs by hand until approximately hand tight. Work with the lugs by going across the drum in a crisscross pattern. For example, start at the top then go to the bottom, go back to the 1 o' clock position, down to the 7 o' clock position and so forth until you make it all the way around the drum. This routine will ensure that the head is evenly set on all sides of the drum.

3) Push down on the rim over each lug as you tighten them by hand & follow the same pattern around the drum. Once the lugs are all hand tightened, slightly press down the center of the head with the palm of your hand until you hear the glue cracking on the head. This will guarantee that the head is properly seated & force it to make full contact with the shell.

4) Use the drum key to work your way around the drum using the same method described in the previous step. Turn each lug one-quarter to one-half a turn until all the wrinkles & creases are gone from the head. Now check the drum's pitch by hitting the center of the drum head. Continue going around the drum head using one-quarter turns until you hear a tone that rings freely. If you hear any overtones or if the pitch isn't clear, gently tap the head with a stick about one inch from each lug, as they should all have the same pitch. If not, continue to adjust the lugs until they all sound the same.

5) Repeat this method on the bottom drum head if your drums have two heads. It's usually best to get both heads tuned to the same pitch but this is generally a matter of preference. Some drummers like to loosen the bottom head slightly and then tighten the top head to get a different pitch or tone.

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