Very cool to see the different methods you all use. Very helpful info being offered by many!

-Jeff

Great thread!! Thanks to all.

Creighton

Is there more useful information after "A good starting point for a fusion sized kit is this"? If so, could you post the complete document?

Thanks,

-Tim

Yep, I collect them but have no desire to play them...I only play modern day snare drums and drumsets...

Mike Curotto

Like I said, I collect vintage snare drums but I'd rather play modern day snare drums and drumsets.:2Cents:

Mike Curotto

I've yet to find a new snare drum that can compete with the 1960s or 70s Ludwig Supra-Phonic. Black Beauty, Hammered Bronze or Ludalloy, dollar for dollar I've not seen a new snare drum that can even come close to the overall performance for the price. And they're about as vintage as they come..:2Cents:

You DO NOT just tune drums to notes.

You tune them to the notes that are there.

That is to say EVERY drum has an inherent note that is made into them.

It is part of them physically. You CAN NOT tune the drum at ANY frequency without this FUNDAMENTAL note coming into play.

The purest, most resonant note that any drum will produce is this fundamental note that is built into each drum.

Tune to that note and you will have a perfectly tuned drum.

P.S. This is a much simplified version as all drum's tones are made up of multiple frequencies and any drum's tone is a combination of top and bottom head tunings.

Holliwood replied as follows:

"You DO NOT just tune drums to notes.

You tune them to the notes that are there.

That is to say EVERY drum has an inherent note that is made into them..."

Holliwood is correct.

By definition, drums are membranophones which are only capable of indefinite pitch. In other words, even when attempting to "tune" a drum to a specific pitch the result heard is never a true pitch of the musical scale. This is because a drum's sound consist of an inherent fundamental tonality along with numerous harmonics resonating together with and in conflict with each other. Shell construction, type of wood, dimensions, choice of heads, striking instruments used, etc., result in each and every drum having its own distinct fundamental frequency range - the 'place' where it sounds the fullest and most resonant. It's the place "where the drum wants to be' so to speak. Above and below its fundamental there is a great deal of leeway in seeking specific "tunings", but generally speaking while you can "tune" your drums to closely approximate major and minor thirds, major and minor seconds, perfect fourths, perfect fifths, and other intervals comprised of two or more pitches of the musical scale, the resulting harmonies and dissonances are never actually "true". Furthermore, the various intervals to which you "tune" are specific to key signature and therefore more often than not will sonically "clash" with the music you play should key changes or modulations take place. I find that my drums sound and perform their optimal best when properly tensioned and and then allowed to go "slightly out of tune" after an hour or so of playing. With few exceptions, the sound of drums should blend into and punctuate rhythm in any and all music you are playing.

To paraphrase Buddy Rich, "You don't tune drums, you tension them!"

We need to define terms:

1. 'Tuning' a drum to a certain pitch.

2. 'Tuning' a drum to itself so that the same pitch is heard when tapping in front of any tension rod.

Before you can concentrate on 'tuning to a certain pitch' the drum needs to be 'in-tune with itself'. If you are hearing the -same note/pitch- when you tap in front of each tension rod, you can then go either up or down the tuning range by turning each rod equally as you go around. After you find the sweet-spot in the tuning range (the drums' "fundamental note") all you have to do is tweak/fine-tune the head by going around again and making sure you're hearing the same note/pitch when tapping the head about an inch in front of each tension rod. You'll know when you reach the sweet spot in the tuning range because the sound of the drum really (noticeably) -opens up-! When the drum is 'in-tune with itself' like that, the head and the drum shell will vibrate freely giving the drum a rich, resonant tone. Bad tuning will choke any drum.

I just thought that needed clarification. Great discussion! I have always used the 'Here Comes The Bride' method (tuning in fourths) simply because it gives me a good spread between the toms and I like the way sounds. Tuning is an art and purely subjective. Each guy has a 'sound' they're going after. It's not always the same one though. It's all about experimenting and sharpening your tuning skills as you go. I know a guy that's been playing for decades that still can't tune a drum to save his life. Don't get frustrated if it gives you a hard time at first. Practice makes perfect.

John

It seems that Holliwood is saying that each drum has a specific pitch you need to tune the heads to. It seems that Buckie B is saying that you can't tune drums to pitches.

Let me chime in with my experience: my primary kit is a 1970 Ludwig 12/14/20. I can tune the batters and resos to specific pitches to make the drums "sing" (when the drum sounds bigger than it is, supposedly from the involvement of the shell resonance). This is limited to a few pitches in the medium tuning range and again in the high tuning range. I had a set of DWs that I could tune to specific pitches, but wasn't limited to certain "zones." It was more a tuning "range" like a timpano. Different drums sing at different pitches, and drummers like different tunings. I, personally, like to tune within these "sweet spots," as I call them. Outside of these zones, drums sound either choked or tubby, and you can't get a very discernable pitch out of them.

In one of my bands, the drummer tunes his snare to Eb, his 10" tom to C, and his floor tom to F before every show. And, when he plays them, there is no mistaking what pitches they are sounding. Also, I have played several percussion pieces that call for toms and roto toms to be tuned to specific pitches. You can't convince me that drums can't be tuned to pitches. Some people may choose to not do it, or may not know how to do it, or may not even know that it's possible, but it is, and it's just one facet of this vast topic of drumming we love...