DT X Verta (ft Pantheon): Ep4 Drum Tuning With Zero Experience
In the previous episode with Pantheon Percussion and Verta Collective, we learned a quick and easy 5 mins tuning method to tune up the snare drum. This demonstration was quick and easy. However, today we push this method to its limits by inviting a special guest on board. Our guest in this episode plays the guitar and has no prior experience in tuning. With this same method, we will explore if any beginner can tune in on their first try. We are going to explore a few common problems that beginners face as well when tuning the drums.
-> Learn more drum tones in our first episode with Pantheon Percussion
-> Learn more drum heads in our second episode with Pantheon Percussion
-> Learn instant snare tuning method in our third episode with Pantheon Percussion
Content
Drum Tuning Recap
Before we start, a quick recap of the four quick and easy steps for snare drum tuning. The four steps are:
1) Fingertight
After changing the heads, finger tight all tension rods to make sure they are of equal tension. Turn the tension rods with your fingers until you can no longer tighten it.
2) Sit the head
Do a compression in the middle of the head to allow the drum head to center on the drum.
3) Tightening the rods
Tighten the tension rods a quarter turn at a time. Always tighten opposing lugs; you can use two drum keys to facilitate the movement as well.
Use the below formula as a quick guide to knowing how many turns to make.
Top head: X
Bottom head: X + 1
For this demonstration, we are using three turns on top and four turns below. However, we would recommend four on top and five below instead for a standard snare drum.
4) Check and fine-tune
Tap the drum head one and a half inches away from the tension rod to do a quick check of the pitch for that rod. Work your way down each rod to make sure that there is an even pitch all around the drums.
Turn the snare over and repeat the same process. Please note that when you check the snare’s resonant head, remember to pull up the snare wires to have a more accurate reading pitch.
-> Find out where you can practice on acoustic drums in Singapore
Common Problems
Most people’s leading and biggest problems during tuning are the inability to get all tension rods to match their pitch, or worse still – unable to identify that the pitch was wrong between the rods.
To reduce the chances of mistakes, and have an easier time tuning, make sure that each of your quarter turns are equal. It will ensure that the tension along each side is equal. Practicing is of utmost importance. However, this practice can only reduce the chances of rods mismatching; other factors are involved, such as the bearing edge, roundness of drum, etc.
When you have two rods with a differing pitch during the fine-tuning phase, make sure always to match the one with the higher pitch.
If the snare still sounds off after tuning and all the rods are already pitch matched, try to tune up the bottom head. It may be a case of mismatching intervals.
Summary
Tuning takes lots of practice. Even after learning this quick and easy method, you will still need to spend loads of time understanding the process through a hands-on approach. The fine-tuning process will be much easier to handle if you have a professional by your side, guiding you, at least until you can recognize and rectify the problems yourself.
Editors Note: This demonstration encourages students or beginners not to be intimidated by tuning the drums. Although the end product still needs some fine-tuning, we still managed to get the pitch to be near each other, and that itself is one of the most crucial parts of the demonstration.
