Make Your Drumset Sound Good

When you buy a new drum set, you may find that it is out of tune and it could use some work. Here I'll explain how you can make your kit sound like the pros.

Steps

  1. Go to your favorite music store and buy a quality drum set with a well known brand name. (e.g. Pearl, Mapex, DW, Tama,Ludwig) This makes a difference because cheaper manufactures make their sets with materials that just don't sound good enough, no matter how hard you try to tune it.
  2. Take it home and assemble it completely and correctly. This step may vary depending on what kind of set you have.
  3. Play the kit a little bit to get a feel of what it sounds like right out of the store. This is where you can figure out what needs work and what doesn't.
  4. Start with the bass drum. Depending on what style of music you want to play, this step varies. For rock drummers, you may want a quick yet low tone to your bass drum. You can do this by putting a small pillow or a bass drum dampener inside the shell. As long as there is something touching the front and rear heads. This will give you the nice "Thump" sound. Tighten the head that you will play on pretty tight but not too tight. The other head doesn't need to be that tight either, just enough so it won't vibrate a lot.
  5. Know that on a five piece kit to move onto the high tom. Don't tune it too high but higher than what your following two toms with sound like. tune the top head first making sure you start with a quarter of a turn on each lug moving diagonally across the drum. The bottom head should be a bit looser than the top one. Tap the outside rim of the head all the way around making sure that it all has the same tone. If the drum sort of echoes or rings, then tighten or loosen lugs until it doesn't do that. Do this to the next two toms.
  6. Learn that the snare is tuned almost the same way as the toms except you can tighten or loosen the snare chains at the bottom of the drum. Most rock drummers prefer a loud snare with a defined tone for varied rudiments. you can accomplish this by making the snares tight enough to barely move off the bottom head.
  7. Choose cymbals wisely. You should at least have a ride and a crash cymbal along with hi-hats.When attaching the cymbals to their stands, make sure they aren't touching any metal components. The cymbal stands should come with felt discs and plastic liners.
  8. When playing, don't dig the stick into the head of the drum. Make sure you play with the stick just slightly angled toward the head, almost parallel to it. When the head of the stick strikes the batter, pull it off using the rebound of the stick. This may be difficult at first to control, however in time it will come natural. This does a variety of things. First, it controls the tone of the drum so it doesn't sound over played. Second, it ensures that the head will last longer and it will avoid divots or dents in the drum head changing the pitch and/or tone. Lastly, when done correctly in practice, will help you control the stick in your hand.
  9. Play your kit and show off your amazing sounding kit.

Tips

  • There is no need to beat the heck out of your drums. This would ruin the drum heads, which means you have to get new ones. They will make sound even with a gentle touch. This will prolong the life of your set as well.
  • It is ultimately up to the musician in you to decide how you want to make sound.
  • Use the right equipment when tuning, like drum keys instead of pliers or a wrench. Other tools may damage your kit.
  • Use hard felt bass drum beaters for optimal rock sound.

Warnings

  • Never get angry at your drum set or take your anger out on it.

Things You'll Need

  • Drum Key
  • Drum Kit
  • Bass Pedal
  • Drumsticks

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