How To Tune Your Toms - Drum Lesson

[@mikedover6590]

I love tuning but if I’m honest about it, my favorite part of tuning is smelling the inside of the shells. Best scent ever!!!

[@mikeslessons]

When your drums are new or fairly new I agree 100%, but when your drums are over 50 years old like mine… buttered ASS!!! lol 😂🍵🍵😂

[@mikedover6590]

@@mikeslessons on the note of tuning though, would love to see a snare demonstration, mostly for the purpose of how you treat your snare wires and how that affects the sound. I feel like I only see people show the “put a stick under the wires” to tune trick.

[@mikedover6590]

@@mikeslessons I agree with you on the smell of natural wood shells, but the buttered ass smell, is still good to me but not because of the smell, more so imagining what smoky clubs and and that kit has played through. As long as I can imagine a great story then I’m ok with it.

[@weschilton]

I love the smell of 30+ year old Yamaha Recording Customs... my '65 Ludwigs... ew! ;)

[@mikedover6590]

@@weschilton I’ve got a while before I get there. My Yamaha Stage Custom is only about 10 years right now.

[@jj0dyw0ah..21]

My dad doesn't understand why I'm always taking off the heads and putting them back on.... but now I feel that I KNOW what sound I want so it only takes me 10-15 min to tune my drums. but i personally just find it fun to take my drums apart and put them back together.

[@thelowertownsound]

Best tuning video i've seen. Answered questions i didn't even know i had. I love the idea of taking feel into account. That's rarely addressed in any tuning videos i've seen. Your teaching is top notch!

[@mikeslessons]

Did you guys/gals hear the tone of the new head? How freaking cool is that???

[@addisoncarpenter5675]

Love the tone and feel of new heads!

[@pentzzsolt]

When you slapped the worn out and the new head in the air, the difference was astonishing, I never realized that.

[@dgarreis]

Same here never hit a old head and new head off the kit. All these years never knew. Great info.

[@argentinacongroove4375]

Yes sir!

[@mikeevangelista1177]

Someone told me to do that with all your new heads your buying in the store example open them up tap em and grab the ones that go together the best. I tried it and I actually found some of the same heads had a slight tonal difference and once in awhile you can get one that’s a bit dead. Great video

[@marcusbrown87]

Mike, your drums always sound amazing! Can't believe that's only one mic!

[@CharlesTPrimm]

This is excellent. I was fortunate enough to get an in-depth lesson on tensioning from the Mighty Max Weinberg before a show back in 1980. Never forgot it. Same principles. Can't stress enough how important the feel is.

[@MyConcertLife5]

I ain’t going to lie, you making the sounds with your mouth acutely helped me a ton because I understood everything you were talking about from that. I’ve only been drumming for a year & some change but I’m glad I found your channel. Too many people do to much or say to much. Thank you

[@johnnyrodriguez126]

For the past week and 1/2 I've been removing all the cobwebs off my TAMA Swingstar 7 piece set and I've already tuned up my snare but I've never been familiar with tuning up my tom toms and floor tom. Your video was super informative and I have a great knowledge of what I'm doing and looking for. Much appreciated 😊

[@DC-xt1pt]

I have watched a LOT of tuning videos in my quest to hone the art of drum tuning and I must say, this is definitely one of the best vids out there. Thanks.

[@tavo8543]

Congrats for 200k subs, u deserve so many more! Thanks for teaching with that passion! 🙏

[@mikeslessons]

WOW!!!! I just saw that... thanks brother

[@patcarrano158]

Thank you Mike ! Yes the FEEL of the drums is just as important as the tuning . (Something I've battled with forever ) ...but it does also depend upon the genre of music you're playing . When the kit sounds & feels good it just makes you WANT to play them because it's pure joy ! God bless

[@jobaecker9752]

Totally agree. There are some gigs where the heads feel like concrete, and other where they feel like butter -- not sure why that happens (and what combination of muscle, temperature and mindset are happening) but when they are butter it's like nothing else in the world.

[@Chiroman527]

Pat, I watch this and Many others (Rob Brown, Jared at DRUMEO, Cory at Sounds Like a Drum), I just can't GET THERE. That nice Sweet Spot that I hear in this Video. I have a PDP Concept maple kit, with 5 Toms (3 rack 8, 10, & 12) and 2 Floor Toms (14 & 16). I had Evans G2 coated on the Batters - finally settling on those after trying others ..... Remo Emperors, Evans GC2s Clear. I am using the Standard Remo ( I think they are Ambassadors ) Reso heads that came with the Drums. Mike seems to attain a nice sound with just a little overtone. I prefer the Doooo, Doooo sound Jared talks about. What I did learn at this video was to put the drum on a stool to Muffle the reso head and Vice Versa. Need to learn to use the TuneBot too. I hate that Growl that Mike mentions. Drives me a little Nuts - I am a Newbie at drum tuning, and at 70 YO I resurrected playing Drums after 50 Years ago (1969). I only play along to My Music about 1 hour a day. I will keep trying to tune and not let my OCD carry me a way :):)

[@drummerjqa]

explaining about starting with a "pure tone" and going from there is an awesome way to think about it. Too many people miss that and tune too high and choke the head or its too loose and they try to tune from flappy. That used to be my problem when I started to try to get my tuning together and the issue most of my students have

[@humbertoleandro896]

"I've in KZbin since 2005/2006" that's how long I've been watching your videos Mike. Bought my first drumset in 2006 and went to KZbin and typed "drum lessons". Changed my life!

[@hypercussion]

Really helpful video. I was struggling with getting the sound I wanted. I was already using a Tune-bot for consistency. The problem was that for years I had always tuned my reso heads slightly higher than the batters to try and emulate Bonham’s tom sound . Your advice to tune both heads to the same frequency and mute the head you’re not tuning worked beautifully. I found the general pitch I wanted for each drum and tuned both heads to that frequency with the tune-bot and like magic, the perfect sound and resonance. I saved my settings and now I can retune or even change heads and dial the same sound in quickly every time. Thanks for posting this method!

[@rockytoprecordingreviews4167]

Very helpful and informative video! The more care and intention you put into your drums and their maintenance the closer you get to those drums.

[@odeskoo]

Imma sit n my room and practice tuning my drums. AWESOME. thanks MJ

[@aligrant2605]

I must say mike, the camera quality is absoloutely amazing! I know how much effort, time and focus you put into the visuals, and trust me, it really doesn't go unnoticed!

[@oscargarzajr5799]

I just love how excited you get. And how much you love and enjoy teach us all what you know. Thank you for your awesome videos.

[@MarkDuffyPhotography]

I need a "Sounds like Buttered Ass" t-shirt in my life!

[@mikeslessons]

I’m starting small first, just wristbands and water bottles. But eventually FULL BUTTERED ASS MERCH!!! LOL 😂🍵🍵😂

[@cobra1995xx]

@@mikeslessons i cant wait to see the logo lol 😎

[@cobra1995xx]

Im in

[@patcarrano158]

That cracked me up bahahaha !!!🤣

[@MarkDuffyPhotography]

@@patcarrano158 gets me everytime, he has these brilliant wee gem of nuggets that just casually get thrown into a sentence

[@adesojiadeyeye423]

Another awesome class!!!. I'm getting more knowledge and increased confidence on my drum skills. Thanks Mike!!!!!

[@garyunsworth726]

Really enjoyed this, I've been playing 33 years and learned alot watching this, thank you 😊Ps your kit sounds fantastic 👍

[@ladya6841]

This video brought tears to my eyes! Thank you for this video. I was just saying I wish there was an actual helpful video on tuning. You kit sounds incredible!! Excellent video, such a great teacher!!

[@barberjeff67]

I like putting the head logo where there's a tone control. Easier to locate on the fly. Beautiful drums!

[@MarcelGavalier]

For years and thousends videos outhere... this is first video that i can say thats is informative.

[@glennracoma7481]

Glad you bought up how one feels playing the drums after tuning the drums. Thanks great video

[@jonathanbormann5077]

Yes!!! I asked for this on a video a while back. So stoked to see/hear it. Thank you Mike!

[@dR_83_]

Thank you so much! This is the first tuning video that actually helped me!

[@chrismallios1621]

So glad I discovered your videos. They have really helped me get to the next level even though I thought I had reached a level that dead ended

[@jmfs3497]

I really liked this video, Mike Johnston team! Content over all is really informative and easy to digest and fun. The Audio quality really communicates the tuning very well, so good job to the audio engineer that set the mics and all that. Very good to listen to, and I might even watch it a second time through while a warm up on a practice pad, lol. Does anyone else do this?

[@Dan-m2j5n]

Excellent reference on how to tune toms

[@robertfizer]

I just want to thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! I appreciate you taking the time to explain the process and understanding the difference between the batter and resonating heads.

[@JimiRachman]

The most important thing about playing drums is drum tuning, and thank you sir for giving us that lesson.

[@bobslenker27]

Cheers. Good stuff. I never had resources like this in the 80s & early 90s when I was starting out.

[@willshaughnessy8515]

some tricks I learned over the years and by playing with Louie Bellson., Jim Chapin and of course my uncle Ed Shaughnessy... every drum is a unique beast.. so many factors incl wood, edge of shell, head, tension rods.. type of skin ( if using animal skins like I do)..there could be a dissertation on the subject..weather of course and room dynamics..sticks .. so .. with Gretsch RB .. I have a 59 starlite.. ..I think real skins works for me. if you want that quintessential Be Bop sound.. i cut them custom for each side of the drum.. and I tune , as you found out.. batter in 3 rds and reso 1/2 step up..bass included.... snare for Gretsch has always had some conjecture on resonance quality.. I use a mule top side / camel bottom side.. with a larger snare wire stand.. the drum pops..crisp and clean.. with the right amount of overtones and rings so desired in the jazz sound..

[@crankshaft109]

Always great content delivered like a good friend. Thanks Mike!

[@mikeslessons]

Awe man... that means the world brother 🍵🙏🍵

[@Goose24]

Where was this video 25 years ago? This is great. Also, something you did but didn’t comment on is something one of my teachers taught me way back. For those wondering, when loosening the head while tuning, note that Mike went PAST where he wanted then slightly tuned back up. This helps the head stay in tune. Thanks for the video Mike.

[@mikeslessons]

James, THANK you so much for the kind words. Way to pay attention, that is definitely something my hand does without even knowing it, but it's extremely important!

[@DG-sf9ei]

Where was the internet? lol. But I know what you're saying. The younger generation is at more advantage from the start to get things right because of access to great vids and info like this.

[@johnschweiger6486]

Great video Mike! I really appreciate you saying that we don’t absolutely need a Tune bot, (That’s reassuring because I don’t own one), and learn how to tune by ear and feel!

[@robertreedy414]

Sir,great vid! I see that A&F snare behind u on the shelf. Some real money back there

[@philipmorris57]

Beautiful tuning but lets just admire Mikes Beautiful playing also, he's the man ❤

[@Daddynixterdrums]

“Now it sounds like buttered ass!” Had to replay that line and that look on Mike’s face a few times to really let it sink in

[@mikeslessons]

LOL 😂🍵🍵😂

[@mikeevangelista1177]

I remember the day I finally turned my damn tom over and realized the bottom head was out of tune not the top. I spent so much time messing with the top when all along it was the bottom. I too spent so much time trying heads tuning re tuning I’d spend hours upon hours trying things out. Once I got a tunebot it was a game changer save the settings or write them down and you can tune your kit the same every single time. Thanks for the video. Any specific way you tune your kick??🥁🔥

[@cyberbl1tz6]

“Now it sounds like buttered ass.” made me laugh harder than I have in a while. 😂 you have some of the best content on KZbin. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@michaelsullivan1262]

I played to records. I’m 6K years young. Team tune by ear with two keys both heads same pitch!

[@warrenvollaro2529]

Hey Mike, thanks for this as I know how to tune drums but ironically I'm playing electronic drums now I miss my gretsch drums as I love your blue drums, cheers !!!

[@gadymarcus2362]

Wow phenomenal sound thanks man.

[@Johan-yv6rk]

Thank’s for all amazing lessons. Spend one hour everyday to make my Brooklyn sound like yours. Impossible. They never stop singing. More sound lessons please. 😕

[@simoneyinbrazil4407]

Thank you mike the goat. First person I understood this from

[@philippevanharennoman8260]

Great tuning video ! Thanks very much !

[@farleycarl]

Thanks for the video Mike. You covered all the bases. A 5 minute video just wouldn’t have been as comprehensive. Liiike thaaaat! lol

[@lemme123]

This video is so useful ! Thank you SO much for the demonstration and sharing your tips! ❤😊

[@Chiroman527]

Mike, It is great - No Snare Buzz that I can detect!! They sound soo good.

[@w33l_tv]

now i can tune my toms the right way...thank u sir keep on groovin

[@Flamadiddle2]

Thoughts on lubricating tension rods with a light coat of WD-40? I know WD-40 is not technically a lubricant (WD = Water Displacement) but I also don't think we want the rods truly lubricated since we want them to stay put. However, we also want them to move freely when adjusting so seems like a light coat of WD-40 applied by cloth may be the answer, at least for older drums.

[@planetdog1641]

thanks for a great tuning video....youtube is devoid of these....most people just talk and don't even hit the drum.

[@mikeslessons]

lol, happy to help my friend 🍵🙏🍵

[@danielbighart1887]

"......sounds like buttered ASS ........" LOL 😆😆 ( Never heard that expression B4)

[@RCSchult112755]

Well thought out and helpful. Thanks, Mike!

[@rupertbeehsley1680]

I always put tape on the hoop and a nut box so that it goes back in the same place every time I change the head. Over time the hoop “marries” to the drum.

[@johnnyappleseed2277]

i likw the color of your drums i have the same color on my drums midnight blue is such a good choice color and with the right lighting it looks like the sky at night when it goes from a dark blue to a night sky and with the metal flake it pops better than any other color.

[@porfess5063]

Always helpful to check out the different individual methods drummers have for tuning drums. However (haven’t checked all comments so not sure if anyone else has picked this up) inconsistency when finally playing the drums on the kit. Mike earlier advises that top head for feel, bottom for pitch. When he then felt rack tom was a bit high pitched for his liking, he detuned the top head. Sorry bro, just being a bit pedantic. Rules are there to be broken 😊

[@mikeslessons]

If you have rules in art then you e already lost. Guidelines work much better. From there just follow your ear.

[@metalheavythrasher]

Please please PLEASE do a video on tuning the snare drum!

[@troyv.769]

How do I find these heads with this logo style Mike uses? I like how minimalist they are compared to the huge logo everyone is doing now.

[@mchaggis622]

Fantastic advice. Those toms sound beautiful. Thanks Mike. 😊👍

[@alexandersimonovsky2417]

Hi Mike,you play great and your lessons are very useful und your Gretsch sounds great! Please tell me what kind of drumheads on the toms and the Kick? thank you very much!

[@martinhackx666]

Now we need a video about how do you record this video, it's sounds amazing

[@Tyl-Fiedler]

Amazing Video ! Thanks a lot for the Tune bot readings too! Always was so interested in what Tention your toms are :) Love your content thanks . Btw: your Solo in pasic is the Best Drum Solo i Ever heard!!

[@leehart8514]

Mike ... awesome tone I think that would be great tuning for funk rnb motown also.. what I play.

[@DolkkarToyznstuff]

Thank you for the video, I was tired of my toms sounding like buttered ass. You got my sub!

[@Chiroman527]

Mike, this video was very helpful and exemplifies the imporatnce of Tuning yoiur drums. I felt your tuning emitted too uch Overtone. I tend to like that Doooo, Doooo sound out of the Toms. But you did make me aware that my 2 Floor Toms (14 and 16 inch), are tuned a bit too High. Although you didn't indicate it here, other tuning YT vids,, don't get as"technical" as you but do emphasize, to get all your Toms to be in Tune together. I think that Gizmo of getting precise fine tuning may be something for Meto try.. BTW, I am only a Recreactional Drummer, at 70 yo, retired, playing drums to My Music in the Basement. I had a 50 Year Hiatus from playing Drums , resurrected in 2019 when My wife of 4 years in 2018, gifted me for XMAS a Cheapo new Gammon Kit. I have since given that kit to my 4 year old Grandson, and upgraded to a PDP Concept maple kit and new Cymbles, and Snares, etc. Who knows....maybe a Geraiatric Start up band surfaces in my area and I could play with a band ....Happy Drumming to All.

[@Chiroman527]

I re-listened to this video. I DO aim to achievb this well balanced Tom sounds. At first listen, I though there was a bit too much overtone especially in the Rack Tom. But after playing with Concept Maple Kit (PDP), for "hours" , I can't get there? Do you have clear single ply Reso Heads? I am using the standard clear Reso heads that came with the Drums (Remo -I thnk), but changed the batters to Evans G2 Coated ( my drum store guy says workls best with maple kits). I don't play Gigs, only for recreation and a retirement hobby. I don't play to miked drums of course, but I look to achieve this sound , less overtones , more Doooo, Doooo. I use a Evans E-Ring which helps to deaden the overtones on all my Toms... Works very well on the Floor Tom, BTW.

[@sandyhancock5521]

Great little vid! Thanks!👍

[@mikeslessons]

So glad you enjoyed it Sandy!

[@ralmslb]

The tone values like 150, 160, 200, etc, are what unit? Hertz?

[@poyohy7293]

i don't know if it's because of the material itself but i just can't get my toms to sound good whatever i do they always have that goofy sound

[@Berend_69]

same we cooked

[@louisdimov8956]

HEY 🥰 U TUNE TO WHAT U WANT!!

[@aaronreeves8376]

That killer Gretsch sound!!

[@carlosclerigadrums]

Beautiful sound!!!!

[@deanmatters]

Great video. What is the exact model of those Aquarian heads?

[@gitagrip5630]

LOGO for me goes where the drum head tells me, meaning put the head on spin it slowly ... if it binds in any single point go the other way till you can rock\slide the head in all directions and have the same amount of clearance between the shell and head retaining ring about 1/8th of and inch . Some head manufactures leave too much weld/bead protruding on the retaining ring. and or a drum might look circular but is slightly out of round.

[@jedblavla5206]

Subscribed. Absolutely brilliant mate

[@thedrumdon2485]

Great lesson- thanks!

[@caddydrummer]

YES! I went looking for a how to tune video in your history, Mike. Could you do one for snare too?

[@mikeslessons]

I absolutely can and shall :)

[@erik198]

This video is very helpful.

[@tylerblake3596]

Would love to see your methods for kick and snare too :)

[@johngiummarra8983]

Great video Mike! I'm sure you've done this a thousand times but could you give a rundown of your cymbal setup, especially in this demo? Cheers and keep up the awesome work!

[@mikeslessons]

Happy to! From left to right... All Meinl Byzance, 15" Foundry Reserve Hi Hats, 22" Foundry Reserve Light Ride, 21" Mike Johnston Transition Ride, 20" Extra Thin Hammered Crash.

[@johngiummarra8983]

@@mikeslessons Thank you so much Mike. I really love your playing and your overall sound is absolutely delicious!

[@dustyorb]

You said it man!....Get to know your kit, it should feel comfortable and responsive in the way you think it should respond, then work out the fine tuning. I'm easy, work the wrinkles out of both sides and I'm ready to rock! ..with a lil twist here and there...lol

[@dustyorb]

And as always....your top notch Mike, you make the hobby/ career more approachable.

[@shaneadler]

Thank you sir Also do you have videos for tuning the snare and kick??

[@alexyorkshots]

I've learned so much here. Thank you!

[@jimbizness3864]

I thought I was the only person obsessed with aligning the head logo with the badge!

[@calebfudrums]

interesting how the floor tom sounds so much higher-pitched when it was played in the snare room

[@mikeslessons]

Exactly! That’s why it’s so important to train your ear to respond to different environments instead of relying on a tuner or an app. Tech definitely has it’s place but when it comes to organic instruments and environments ya gotta trust your ear :)

[@aduozokeretz2k]

Love you Mike..... Plz do a video on which kit to buy e drums or acoustic?

[@danalnajes]

The answer is simple play what works best for you.

[@mathewshaw2772]

Mike..Totally love what you do..I have a request that will hopefully take you out of your comfort zone and would be very interesting for us drummers to see the outcome..Would you do a video of you playing/soloing with jazz tuning and then rock/metal(Danmar click pads in the kick) double ply heads etc..Just a thought..Keep up the awesome work.Oh by the way..I need a new kit..Your new one would look great in my practice room!

[@stilletoe]

Hi could you tell me the tuning device you used please the make and where you purchased it ? Thank you

[@danielpinkelnig]

Can you do a "how to tune your snare" lesson? Love your snare sound 🔥💥👍🏻

[@kellypace1534]

Great video. Great info. And great playing. Two questions. Has the wrap been removed at the top and bottom so the head fits better? Would removing that 1/2-1” of wrap be advisable? I have the same kit (same sparkle color and year), in 22/13/16 and they are a bear to tune. How would you approach those sizes when tuning? Thank you.

[@thatboyy23]

“now it sounds like buttered ass” is now my favourite phrase

[@drummingsidequest]

Wondering what overhead mic you use 13:39. Thanks.

[@duaneengel4189]

I started playing in 1972 at the age of 10, but don't really play anymore since a motorcycle accident in 2014. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed your video. My only question, you moved very quickly and it was hard to tell for sure... Where are you hitting the head? On the screw or between screws and how far from the rim?

[@DeltaTristar500]

Thanks for this video... I thought it was the opposite..if you want a pitch bend down then tune the bottom head a bit higher, but you are indicating to tune it lower than the top.

[@ewrluv2drum]

Seriously though, thank you for the lesson. I have a somewhat mechanical approach, but I'm going to try tuning the top the feel and bottom for tone.

[@troycampbell1880]

So informative. I’ve been drumming for a long time but always just got by with tuning… never really knew what I was doing or what was actually happening… just tried to make it sound decent. But, this video actually lets me know what I’m doing and allows me to know how to get what I want from the drum. Are you using the same head on top and bottom? If there’s a difference/or same, what is the reasoning? This is also something I’ve never had a clear answer on to know how to make my decision. Thanks!

[@alexholston]

Man said " Now it sounds like buttered ass" I f#cking lost it 🤣

[@AlwaysInThePocket012]

You've gone and made a great video again, thanks Mike!