How to Fit and Prepare a New Drum Head (with short video)
What are the myths about changing drum heads, and how should you do it properly? Step by step guide included.
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Whether you're a seasoned drummer or just starting your adventure into the world of drumming, mastering the art of preparing drum heads is essential for unlocking your perfect sound.
Choosing the right heads is just the start.
To get your drums sounding great you’ll need to prepare the head to play.
In this guide, we'll explore tried-and-tested methods, debunk some misconceptions, and share valuable insights to help you prepare your drum heads to get your drums singing.
Debunking myths about preparing drum heads
Before we dive into the various techniques, let's dispel a couple of myths that have found their way into drumming folklore.
Should you stand on the drum head?
A man standing on a drum to slacken a new head: we don’t advise using this technique as it can damage bearing edges and warp the drum shells.
Some drummers opt to stand on the drum head once it’s fixed to the drum. The reason for this is to slacken the head a little and break in the glue to keep it stable and prevent it from quickly detuning.
While it might seem tempting to conquer your drum head with your entire weight, standing on it is not a recommended method for preparing drum heads.
Applying excessive force can lead to structural damage, such as warped shells or damaged bearing edges.
Instead, let's explore more gentle and effective approaches.
Should you sand down a new drum head?
Sanding coated drum heads can reduce abrasiveness and create a smoother playing surface. This is particularly useful if you are planning to play brushes on a coated head.
However, it's crucial to approach this technique with caution. Use a very fine-grit sandpaper and sand lightly, testing the feel frequently. Be mindful not to remove too much coating or alter the drum head's intended sound characteristics.
Preparing drum heads: Tried-and-tested methods
Seating the Drum Head: Seating the drum head is the first step to achieving an optimal sound. Clean the drum shell to remove any dust, debris, or residue. Place the head on the drum shell, ensuring it's centered and level. Finger-tighten the tension rods evenly to secure the head in place.
Tuning: Tuning is where the magic happens. Experiment with different tensions to achieve the desired sound. Start by finger-tightening all the tension rods evenly. Then, using a drum key, tighten the rods in a star pattern across the drum, gradually applying equal tension to each rod. Listen carefully to the pitch and adjust as needed.
Fine-Tuning: As you play the drum and the head settles, fine-tuning becomes essential. Make small adjustments to individual tension rods, keeping an ear out for any inconsistencies in pitch or unwanted overtones. Take your time and trust your ears as you refine the drum's sound.
Dampening: If you find the drum head's resonance or overtones to be excessive, consider employing dampening techniques. Use external dampening materials like muffling rings, gel pads such as Moongel, or gaffer tape strategically placed on the drum head to achieve the desired control over sustain and overtones.
How to fit a new drum head: step by step
Key steps in fitting a new drum head properly:
Remove the old drum head by loosening each lug.
Use a drum key to loosen them until you can finish unscrewing with your fingers.
Make sure you don’t lose the tension rods or washers as they come off the drum head. You can leave them resting on the hoop so you don’t have to put them back in place later.
Lift off the hoop
Clean the bearing edge: the edge of the drum shell that comes into contact with the drum head (check out our guide to why bearing edges are important here).
Place the new head on the drum. Put the head’s logo at 12 o'clock. This is important. Ok it’s not that important, but looks good.
Tighten each tension rod using your fingers, until they’re finger tight
Now use your drum key to tighten each tension rod an equal amount. Remember how many turns you are using (e.g. 2 turns should be enough for this stage).
Best practice is to move between opposite rods, e.g. 12 0’clock then 6 o’clock; 4 o’clock then 10 o’clock and so on. This keeps the tension even across the head.
Tighten until the wrinkles in the head have disappeared.
Turn the snares off if you’re using a snare drum, and tap with your finger next to each tension rod on the head. The tone should be the same for each one.
If it’s not, adjust any that are a long way out of tune with the others.
Push lightly into the drum to increase tension.
Test the lug tuning again, and repeat step 8.
Tighten the head to your preferred pitch using the opposite method.
For a new head you may need to repeat the tightening steps after playing it for a little while as the new head settles.
Why is it important to clean a drum shell when replacing the head?
It’s important to wipe down the bearing edge and shell of a drum when you’re changing a drum skin. Use a dry, lint-free cloth to make sure you don’t leave dirt of damp behind.
Here’s why it’s important to clean the drum before fitting the new head:
Removing dirt and dust makes sure the the drum head can sit on the bearing edge evenly. This is important for making sure the tone of the drum is consistent and doesn’t create unwanted overtones or dead-spots.
Removing dirt allows the shell and head to vibrate optimally, hence producing it’s best possible sound.
Cleaning the bearing edge reduces the possibility of dirt causing damage to the drum head such as wrinkles or bubbles that can appear over time if not maintained.
Cleaning the outside of the shell makes your drums look great! When changing the head it is a good opportunity to do so.
When does a drum head need to be replaced?
You may be wondering when it’s time to buy and fit a new drum head. There’s no hard and fast rule but here are some signs that a head needs to be replaced:
It sounds flat like you’re hitting a piece of plastic, and is difficult to tune
It has many visible dents (one or two won’t affect the sound too much)
For coated heads, the coating is coming away
You’re not getting the sound you want from your drums: changing the heads is a simpler way of changing the sound than buying a new kit.
Choosing the right new drum heads for you
Here’s our guide to choosing the right heads.
Some key features you’ll need to consider if you’re purchasing new heads include:
The coating (coated or clear)
The number of plies (single plies are more resonant, but less durable; double plies are more durable and have a fatter sound with fewer overtones)
Brand: we recommend Remo heads. In particular the Remo Ambassador is our favourite drum head for snare drums and is one of the most popular choices amongst drummers because it sounds bright and warm, without too many sustained overtones that need controlling.
This makes it a great choice for many types of music, particularly as a snare head.
Achieving a great drum sound with tone modifiers
While the methods above are the foundation for preparing drum heads, drummers love experimenting to achieve the perfect tone on a new head.
Here are a few techniques worth exploring to modify the drum’s tone:
Overtone rings and pads
These are circular rings placed on top of the drum head that help control overtones and shorten sustain, resulting in a more focused sound.
The Big Fat Snare Drum does exactly what it says: placing this on top of your snare drum will help achieve a beefy sound by controlling the overtones that ring out.
There are also cloth examples called drum ‘tortillas’ and ‘quesadillas’ which aim to dampen the drum to modify and control the tone for studio ready sounds even on a new head.
2. Moongel and drum head resonance gel pads
These self-adhesive pads can be applied to the drum head to further control resonance and sustain.
One of the most successful examples has been Moon Gel which allows you a relatively low-cost way to dampen the drum head flexibly to achieve the tone you want, as well as easily remove and refine throughout a gig or rehearsal.
I never leave for a rehearsal or gig without a pack of this stuff. In fact Moongel makes it onto our list of items never to leave for a gig without.
Releasing the beats
Preparing your heads to play is essential for achieving a great sound. It’s perhaps neglected for the sake of time in many situations. Start with the key setting and tuning methods and experiment with ways of modifying the sound. We advocate taking good care of your equipment which means avoiding some risky methods like standing on the drum or sanding too vigorously. Ultimately, playing a well prepared drum can make it more fun and rewarding to play, helping you to unleash your creativity.
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