How to Tune Your Snare Drum - Drum Lesson

This video not only covers how to tune your snare drum, but it also shows you how to change drum heads, and how to tune your snare drum to fit specific genres of music. I also talk about muffling your snare drum as well. I hope you enjoy it - Mike J

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• Meinl Cymbals
• Aquarian Drum Heads
• Vic Firth Sticks
• DW Hardware
• Audio Technica Microphones
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[WoodysMusic]

Hey @mikeslessons ! I sold my drum set about 3 years ago after a really bad set I played at the church I grew up at. Because of your videos I’ve started to save up to buy another set (a Gretsch Catalina, specifically) and get back into drumming. Thank you for all you do and the passion you put into your videos. God is using you in ways you don’t understand and I love it. Never stop!!

[joelibretti]

I have been tuning drums professionally for almost 30 years, as a Drum-Tech in the industry. This is EXACTLY my process, right down to using a mallet and with a habit of always wiping the bearing-edge clean. It is this simple, and it drives me crazy when people over-complicate it with the use of stupid devices, such as a Drum-Dial, etc. (Sorry DD Fans!)
BTW... Mike, Your drums ALWAYS Sound Awesome! Keep It Up! ✌

[rampajarillaga]

Wow, I never thought of using a cymbal felt to create a mallet out of the drumstick. I will definitely be doing that from now on haha.

[chadjohnsonsr_thedrummer]

This is gold! A drummer shouldn't even think of mic'ing until this skill is learned. Thanks, Mr. J!

[EvanLikesDrums]

It's incredible to see your side shot looking at the snare, the view of your left hand is crazy. The weight of the stick is completely in your two back fingers.
I am working hard on my double stroke, and the weight of the stick is slowly shifting backwards. It's been in my two middle fingers for the past 8 months or so and recently I can feel my little finger coming into play but it's taking a lot of effort.
At the end of it all, that side shot was great to see!

[pjbuma]

Snare sounded absolutely amazing with the higher tuning and a little muffling. I personally love higher tuned snare drums but I do play a lot of 👻 notes.

[mat]

“Practice your tuning, ” Fantastic!
I like two keys opposite each other and a wallet in the middle.

My go-heads for snare are the Evans HD Dry and Evans UVI with an Evans 300 on the snare side pitched higher than the batter.

Good video Mike and loved the groove.

[jonashellborg]

Yes! For tuning, it is just about making even tension. For me it has helped to first use small turns (1/8) and two keys to slowly add tension, it’s easier to end up with an even drum then, as every tension rod impacts every other tension rod. To the second portion of the video, this is definitely where I’m at: pick the tension/tuning for the band, the room, and also adjust my playing. I sometimes play just hi hats as cymbals, then I want to make my snare drum more busy, and then what would work great for a big sounding back beat isn’t right for me, and I’ll tune high instead so the quiet notes travel in the room. I’ve kept the same snare drum through phases of tuning, and it’s been immense fun to see how my tuning skills improve and the drum just sounds better and better.

[MrCaveman]

I'm ALOT like you in terms of what you said at the beginning of this video bro. Been drumming since 1989. I have noticed learning to hear the little nuances - knowing what to listen for, not just pitch is key I hit less hard around the lugs helps to listen to the Each to his own! NICE video!

[_JK_]

Mike hits snare. Sounds "good". Mike starts grooving. Sounds GODLIKE. Killer lesson and great content overall! Thanks Mike!

[RamiroEscamilla]

Mike, thank you for releasing that snare drum! I picked it up from Sweetwater (I live 15 minutes away from the actual store) and I swear by it! By far the most versatile snare I’ve ever owned.

[elefectobbt]

Amazing bro, your teaching approach, your ability to explain everything without leaving behind the important points, the sound of your kit to mention some of the highlights. Overall, one of the top learning experience by far in 30 plus years of drumming. Thanks for sharing with us your knowledge.

[mikeevangelista]

I absolutely love tuning drums. I too find it so therapeutic🔥🥁

[Juniscrazy]

I do basically the same thing and adjust snares once I’m on the kit. If I’m getting way too much snares buzz I may need to make sure the Tom closest to the snare is not out of tune. But I love having that nice snare buzz not super loose but nice amount. The internal muffling is a great on this snare. I was able to get the blue version when it came out. I’m glad I waited and that color came out when I was ready to buy it. Just beautiful. Thank you for another great video.

[aako-ddly]

Been playing guitar a few months and my dad gave me his old drumset and as much as I love guitar i think drumming is so much more fun. Going to continue to learn both and see where it takes me.

[MrDrumfreak]

Mallet innovation, genius. My God! Thank you for always giving us valuable tips, techniques, adivises, motivation. WOW! you are one of the best instructors and musicians. From Nicaragua, thank you so much.

[mat]

The older vintage had those great internal mufflers. I like the pre-1966 Ludwig “ball-bat” on the COB Superphonic 400s best.

[RichieRich]

Have you ever heard of the Jeff Procaro trick from Toto, tuning your snare just like you did and then loosen the one lug on your left side closest to where to where you play the drum with? What this achieves is the Rim shot is so Distinct! 😀

[dgarreis]

Great video and demonstration of tuning. Its not always about the crack even tho I love them its about tuning vs what we are playing and how.

[davidbaird]

Hey hey, Mike!
Great content & delivery as always; very interesting! I hear your reluctance to mess w/ the bearing edges but as you say to try certain things, settings, etc. I recommend (my approach) w/ any & all wood drums new out of the box as well as older wood drum shells (including my Gretsch Brooklyn Standard snare which is great on many, many levels):

I feel the entire bearing edge surface all the way around the circumference then I very gently use Grade #0000 Steel Wool & w/ the same technique between my thumb & index finger rub very gently w/ the Steel Wool around the bearing edge several times w/ consistent light pressure back & forth around about 1/3 of the circumference of the shell. It's quick, super easy & you'll be amazed at how much smoother the bearing edges are just w/ this simple process. Do this & continually check w/ your fingers throughout the process. Really each edge takes only about 1-2 minutes max... Slow & steady wins the race...!

It's really amazing how rough even the new decent drums are from the factory. This includes my Gretsch Brooklyn kits (2) & Renown kit I bought in the past 3 years. Some may argue the manufacturer's specs are solid & shouldn't be changed but I'm super happy w/ my process & knowing the edges are buttery smooth vs the factory specs; all w/ this very simple & effective process that's super cheap w/ the Grade #0000 Steel Wool