whats the best way of tuning in your toms on a drum kit?

I was always told to tune toms like so:
Think of the tune "3 Blind Mice" The first three notes are an example of the tonal differences between high, mid and floor toms. Hope this helps - it's what I use and it seems to work!

Gareth
October 2009

1. A cheap drum kit can sound good but rarely great.
2. It is almost always a waste of time to try and copy someone else's tom sound, you will rarely have success unless you have the same drum brand, make, head and condition.
3. Google 'Drum tuning Bible' for the best basics.
Andrew

aNDY
August 2007

www.tunadrum.com

tunafeeesh
January 2007

you should start with new or relitivly new heads. start with the top head (or batter), make sure when you tune start by making sure that the head is sitting centered on the shell. than put the rim ( or hoop ) on and install lug screws, finger tighten, and proceed by starting with one lug ( 1/4 turn at a time) then moving to the oppisite lug. continue untill you've gone completly around.make sure that each lug sounds the same ( by tapping on the head right by the lug) once youve reached a med tenion push down on the head moving all around the head. you will hear cracking ( dont worrie) it is just the glue cracking. if it pulls out it is probley a bad head! after you push on it for a minute it will detune, tune up again in the same fasion and get the lugs as close as possible.flip the drum over and repeat. start with tuning the heads the same tension and hear what it sound like by holding the drum with one hand and play the drum with a stick in the other . it should ring freely, now put it on the holder or stand and it should sound the same. if you have a drum that has a tom arm that goes through the drum, it will not sound the same, then it is up to you to experiment with the tunings of each to find that range where the drum rings freely.. good luck

jamo
April 2006

Saw a great tip following on from tightening opposites. Firstly palce your palm on the skin and push down slightly then tighten around that using opposites, ensuring an even sound.

Ali
December 2005

Fanger is totally right, but also try detuning some of the bottom head keys to give a pitch bend effect. If you have a new budget kit (or a 2nd hand kit with rubbish heads) try changing the heads to Remo or another good brand, a good drum shop should be able to advise you on the type of heads you need for your preferred taste in music/ sound. If they sound too ringy, apply a bit of damping by sticking small amounts of 'non-gungy' tape to the top head to calm down excessive overtones.

Franky Wanky
February 2005

Tune opposite keys across the drum working round clockwise.
Tap the stick at the edge of the skin OPPOSITE to the key you're tuning. Work to get a uniform tone all round the drum.
Then tighten to tune to ear.

fanger
January 2005