Drum Head Tuning Drum Head Tuning

Installation Of Drum Heads

One of the questions that I get asked from time to time is how to properly install a drum head. Here is how we do it in the repair shop.

First of all, you should know that improper installation can permanently damage a new drumhead, or at least greatly shorten its playing life. If you carefully follow the procedure below, it will ensure maximum performance and extend the playing life of the your heads.

Step 1, Preparation: Use a clean dry cloth to wipe off the hoop and bearing edges, removing stick shavings, dust, and any buildup that may have formed. Be sure to remove any debris that falls in the drum. Place the head onto the drum and spin it around the bearing edge to ensure clean contact. Then install the tension rods and tighten them until they make contact with the hoop.

Step 2, Tuning: Following the "opposite lug sequence" (see illustration) begin tensioning by turning each key rod one complete revolution. Repeat this procedure, then continue the tensioning sequence using smaller increments like maby one half turn. Tension the head to approximately the pitch of an average tuned snare drum. 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. Always tune below, then up to desired pitch.

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 red 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.

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 of one quarter turn, 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 at which the head will resonate.

Tips and Advise:

* BE aware that certain tension rods can be more effective than others to even out the sound of the head.

* Tune the bottom head to approximately the same pitch as the top batter head. The maximum resonance and clarity of the drum begins by setting the pitch of the batter head and then getting the bottom head close to that pitch.

This process will seem to go slow the first few time you attempt it. However, as you practice doing this it will get easier and faster.

One of the questions that I get asked from time to time is how to properly install a drum head. Here is how we do it in the repair shop. First of all, you should know that improper installation can permanently damage a new drumhead, or at least greatly shorten its playing life. If you carefully follow the procedure below, it will ensure maximum performance and extend the playing life of the your heads.
*Step 1, Preparation:* Use a clean dry cloth to wipe off the hoop and bearing edges, removing stick shavings, dust, and any buildup that may have formed. Be sure to remove any debris that falls in the drum. Place the head onto the drum and spin it around the bearing edge to ensure clean contact. Then install the tension rods and tighten them until they make contact with the hoop.
*Step 2, Tuning:* Following the "opposite lug sequence" (see illustration) begin tensioning by turning each key rod one complete revolution. Repeat this procedure, then continue the tensioning sequence using smaller increments like maby one half turn. Tension the head to approximately the pitch of an average tuned snare drum. 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. Always tune below, then up to desired pitch. 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 red 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.
*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 of one quarter turn, 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 at which the head will resonate.
*Tips and Advise:*
* BE aware that certain tension rods can be more effective than others to even out the sound of the head.	* Tune the bottom head to approximately the same pitch as the top batter head. The maximum resonance and clarity of the drum begins by setting the pitch of the batter head and then getting the bottom head close to that pitch.
	This process will seem to go slow the first few time you attempt it. However, as you practice doing this it will get easier and faster.