Can someone explain to me the best way to tune a snare drum. Like what sound sho!
Question: I have been druming for about a year and a half and maybe it is just my snare but honestly I am having a hard time getting it to sound just right. I am using remo heads and a tama piccalo snare. Any suggestions?
Answers: I have been druming for about a year and a half and maybe it is just my snare but honestly I am having a hard time getting it to sound just right. I am using remo heads and a tama piccalo snare. Any suggestions?
It always depend on the sound you want to get. If you're looking for a tight snappy sound or a fat warm tone.
First, if it's not been done lately, I suggest you change both your heads and the snare wires. Just by doing so you'll maximize your sanre potential, and please, spend the extra bucks and go for real good heads, they're definitely worth it!
From there, like I said earlier it depends on the sound you want to get. My personnal pick would be: on top, Remo CS - Control Sound for a tight sound, or something thicker like Emperor X if you want to get a fatter sound. Always keep in mind that if you're not to familiar with tunning, it's always harder to get a fatter sound and it's also alot more tricky to control. If you want to get rid of the overtones more easily Remo makes the Powerstroke3 head that's like a bass drum head (with the internal flap that acts as a muffling device), I suggest you get that if you what to make your life a whole lot easier! And don't be affraid to cranck it, most snare that don't sound good is because people are affraid to bring them up to their proper tension.
As for the bottom part: Remo Ambassador Hazy with PureSound wires....you can't go wrong.
Now that you have some brand new heads, comes the time to set 'em up and tune them. take off the old head, clean the edges with a dry cloth, if you have a wood shell drum check for dents or split ply of wood on the bearing edge. Put the new head on, tighten all the way down using only your fingers and then with a key, raise the pitch of the head by half a turn on each lugs, always going cross patern (12 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9, 3..ect).
Tune the top head first and bring it to the desired pitch, you can even take the bottom head off for that part, that way you'll really have only the tone of the head to hear. Once that's done put the bottom head on using the same process and bring it to the desired tension to have the right amount of sustain.
Strap on the wires, lossen the strainer so the snares don't touch the head and bring 'em back slowly. If you want more sensitivity, you'll have the snares barely touching the head, put more tension on them if you want to choke the head a bite (you'll loose a little on sensitivity though).
Hope this helps!
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Is your snare wood or metal? METAL snare drums have a natural 'resonance' that is more prominent than WOOD snare drums.
Resonance is the natural, inherent reverberation of any instrument... For Drums, or in simple terms: it is the "ring". To correct the high resonance of a metal snare drum without an expensive accessory, tape a business card about 1/2" from the rim on the head (experiment with the distance from the rim for different resonance changes.).
Tuning it properly is a big factor here. In general, your snare drum is tuned different than other drums around your kit. On a snare (if you want it snappy), your BOTTOM head needs to be a little TIGHTER than your top head.