A badly tuned drum kit sounds bad. It doesn't matter how expensive the shells are, how good the heads are, or how well you play — if the drums aren't tuned, they won't sound right. And yet drum tuning is one of the most neglected skills in drumming, partly because it's rarely taught and partly because it can feel intimidating if you don't know where to start.
This guide covers everything: the principles behind drum tuning, how to tune each drum in your kit step by step, which heads to choose, and how to use dampening to refine your sound. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced player who has never properly learned to tune, this guide will give you the knowledge and confidence to get a great sound from your kit.
If you need new heads or tuning tools, call us on 01507 526517 or visit our Horncastle showroom — our team are experienced drummers who can advise on the right heads for your kit and your sound.
The Principles of Drum Tuning
Before we get into the step-by-step process, it's worth understanding a few key principles that underpin everything else.
Drums are tuned by tensioning the head. A drumhead is a membrane stretched over a shell. The tighter the head, the higher the pitch. The looser the head, the lower the pitch. You control the tension using the tension rods around the edge of the drum, tightened with a drum key.
Even tension is everything. The most important thing in drum tuning is not the overall pitch — it's the evenness of the tension around the head. If the tension is uneven, the drum will sound choked, ringy, or out of tune with itself. Getting even tension across all the lugs is the foundation of good tuning.
Both heads matter. Every drum (except the bass drum in some configurations) has two heads: a batter head (the one you hit) and a resonant head (the one on the other side). Both heads affect the sound. The batter head controls the attack and initial tone; the resonant head controls the sustain and pitch. Tuning both heads in relation to each other is what gives a drum its character.
There is no single correct tuning. Drum tuning is subjective. Different styles, different rooms, and different players call for different tunings. The goal of this guide is to give you the tools and understanding to find the tuning that works for you — not to prescribe a single correct sound.
What You'll Need
To tune your drums properly, you need a drum key. The Evans Magnetic Drum Key (£14.99) is a reliable, well-made key with a magnetic tip. The Evans Drill Bit Drum Key (£9.88) fits into a standard drill for faster tensioning. For the most precise tuning, the Evans Torque Drum Key (£29.68) lets you set a specific torque level and tighten each lug to exactly the same tension. The Remo Quick Tech Magnetic Drum Key (£14.35) is another excellent option with a comfortable grip.
Step 1: Seat the Head
Before you tune a new head, you need to seat it. A new drumhead has never been under tension, and the collar — the folded edge that sits in the drum's bearing edge — needs to be broken in before it will hold a consistent tuning.
To seat a new head: fit it to the drum and finger-tighten all the tension rods until the head is just taut. Then press firmly down in the centre of the head with the palm of your hand. You'll hear the head creak and pop as the collar seats against the bearing edge. Do this several times, then re-tighten the tension rods. Repeat until the head stops making noise when you press it. The head is now seated and ready to tune.
Step 2: Tune the Snare Drum
The snare drum is the most important drum in your kit and the one that benefits most from careful tuning. It has three elements: the batter head, the resonant (snare side) head, and the snares themselves.
The Batter Head
Finger-tighten all the tension rods, then use your drum key to tighten each rod by the same amount — work in a star pattern (opposite lugs) rather than going around the drum in a circle. To check the tension at each lug, tap the head lightly about an inch from the rim directly next to each tension rod. The pitch at each point should be identical. If one point is higher or lower than the others, adjust that tension rod until it matches.
For pitch: a higher tension gives a brighter, more cutting snare sound with a shorter sustain. A lower tension gives a fatter, fuller sound with more sustain. Most drummers tune their snare batter head to a medium-high tension.
The Resonant (Snare Side) Head
The snare side head should be tuned quite tight — a loose snare side head produces a choked, buzzy sound. Tune using the same star pattern, aiming for an even, high tension across the head.
The Snares
Adjust the snare tension using the strainer. Too loose and the snares will rattle; too tight and they'll choke the drum. The sweet spot is where the snares respond cleanly to both hard and soft strokes without excessive buzz.
Recommended Snare Heads
For the batter head, the Evans Genera Coated 14" (£22.00) is an excellent all-round choice. The Evans EC Reverse Dot 14" (£27.99) adds a centre dot for extra durability and a more focused attack. The Remo Ambassador Coated 14" (£19.99) is the classic snare batter head — warm, musical, and used on more recordings than almost any other head. For a drier, more controlled sound, the Evans HD Dry 14" (£23.99) reduces overtones for a focused, studio-ready sound. For the snare side, the Evans Hazy 300 14" (£20.99) and Remo Ambassador Hazy 14" (£18.99) are both excellent.
Step 3: Tune the Toms
Tom tuning follows the same principles as snare tuning. Toms are typically tuned to descend in pitch from the smallest (highest) to the largest (lowest), creating a musical relationship between the drums.
The Batter Head
Use the star pattern approach. Tap near each lug and adjust until the pitch is even around the head. A useful starting point: tune the batter head to a pitch that sounds musical when you tap it in the centre — not a dull thud (too loose) and not a choked, papery sound (too tight).
The Resonant Head
Tuning the resonant head to the same pitch as the batter head produces a full, open sound with a long sustain. Tuning the resonant head slightly higher produces a pitch bend upwards after the attack — a classic rock tom sound. Tuning it slightly lower produces a pitch bend downwards — a more vintage, open sound. For most beginners, tuning both heads to the same pitch is the simplest starting point.
Recommended Tom Heads
The Evans G2 Coated Tom Pack (12", 13", 16") (£59.99) is our top recommendation for batter heads — the two-ply construction gives a warm, full tone with controlled sustain. The Evans G1 Coated Tom Pack (10", 12", 16") (£57.50) is a single-ply option for a more open, resonant sound. The Remo Ambassador Coated Rock Pack (12", 13", 16" + snare) (£65.00) is exceptional value. The Remo Pinstripe Clear Rock Value Pack (12", 13", 16" + bass drum head) (£89.99) is ideal for a warmer, more controlled sound. For resonant heads, the Evans G1 Clear Tom Pack (12", 13", 16") (£58.50) and Remo Ambassador Clear Pack (10", 12", 16") (£49.99) are both excellent.
Step 4: Tune the Bass Drum
Most drummers tune the bass drum quite loose, prioritising a full, punchy attack over a defined pitch.
The Batter Head
Tune to a low, loose tension — just tight enough that the head is taut and even. The Evans EMAD 22" Clear Batter Head (£62.50) is one of the most popular bass drum heads available — the externally mounted dampening system lets you control sustain without opening the drum. The Evans EMAD2 22" (£63.99) adds a second ply for a warmer, more controlled sound. The Evans EQ3 22" Clear Batter (£68.50) has built-in dampening, and the Evans Calftone 22" (£56.99) produces a warm, vintage tone.
The Resonant Head
The Evans EMAD 22" Black Resonant Head (£67.00), Evans EQ3 22" Black Resonant (£64.99), and Evans EQ3 Smooth White 22" (£62.00) are all excellent choices with pre-cut port holes for a clean, professional look.
Bass Drum Dampening
The Evans Bass Drum Muffling EQ Pad (£24.73) is a simple, effective solution — a foam pad that sits inside the bass drum and controls sustain without killing the resonance.
Dampening: Controlling Overtones
The Evans EQ Pods Drum Dampener Gels (£13.26) are small gel pads that stick to the drumhead and reduce overtones without significantly affecting the fundamental tone — removable and reusable, ideal for experimenting. For toms, the Evans E-Rings Standard Pack (£16.99), Evans E-Rings Rock Pack (£15.82), and Evans E-Rings Fusion Pack (£14.99) are thin foam rings that sit on top of the drumhead and reduce overtones significantly.
When to Change Your Heads
Signs that it's time to change your heads: dents or pitting in the playing area, difficulty getting the drum to tune evenly, a dull or dead sound that doesn't respond to tuning, and visible wear around the impact zone. Changing heads is one of the most effective ways to improve the sound of your kit — often more impactful than any other modification.
Drum Tuning FAQs
How often should I tune my drums?
Ideally before every session, or at least every few sessions. Temperature and humidity changes cause heads to go out of tune, and regular playing gradually loosens the tension rods. A quick check and adjustment takes five minutes and makes a significant difference.
Should the batter and resonant heads be tuned to the same pitch?
Not necessarily — it depends on the sound you want. Same pitch produces a full, open sound. Resonant head slightly higher produces a pitch bend upwards (classic rock tom sound). Resonant head slightly lower produces a pitch bend downwards (vintage, open sound).
Why does my snare buzz when I hit the toms?
Sympathetic snare buzz is caused by the snare wires vibrating in response to the resonant frequencies of the toms. It's normal and not a sign anything is wrong. You can reduce it by tuning the toms to pitches that don't sympathise with the snare, or by slightly loosening the snare tension.
What's the difference between coated and clear drumheads?
Coated heads produce a warmer, more muted tone with slightly reduced overtones — the traditional choice for snare drums and popular for toms in jazz and acoustic settings. Clear heads are brighter and more open, with more sustain and overtones — popular for toms in rock and pop settings.
Can I get advice on which heads to buy?
Absolutely. Visit our showroom in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, or call us on 01507 526517 — our team are experienced drummers who can advise on the right heads for your kit, your style, and your budget.
Shop Drum Heads & Tuning Tools at Into Music
We stock one of the largest ranges of drum heads and tuning accessories available from a UK independent drum retailer — Evans and Remo heads across every size and style, plus drum keys, dampeners, and everything else you need to get a great sound from your kit. Order online with UK next day delivery available, or visit us in our Horncastle showroom in Lincolnshire.
Not sure which heads are right for your kit? Visit us in our Horncastle showroom or call us on 01507 526517 for expert advice.