Equipment

drumming equipment Checklist

recommended Brands and Models

***When choosing a pair of drumsticks, make sure they are straight (not bent or warped) by rolling them, and make sure both sticks have the same pitch and weight by tapping them individually against a surface.***

parts of the snare drum

Maintenance

TUNING A SNARE

NOTICE: Talk to your band director before trying to tune a drum on your own!

1. Use a drum key to turn each tension rod clockwise, two full turns. Follow the criss-cross order shown in the diagram below and repeat until the drum rings when struck.

2. Continue tightening in smaller increments, tapping the head with a stick or finger about an inch in front of each tension rod. Listen and continue until each point sounds exactly the same as the ones next to it and across from it.

3. For fine tuning, go around the drum clockwise, maintaining the same pitch at each position.

Snare drum tuning is a matter of preference, but tuning the batter head to A or B-flat and the resonant head to the E or F above that works well.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

• Always handle drums carefully to avoid puncturing heads.

• Regularly wipe the drum off with a polishing cloth.

• Once the drum has been tuned properly, avoid messing with any of the following:

  • The tuning lugs

  • The snare strainer adjustment knob

  • The muffler knob

• Cover the batter head and leave snares ON, if possible, when storing.