How to tune drums to notes

🥁 Tuning drums to notes is much easier than people think! Here's how I do it....

1. Calculate the fundamental frequency of your desired note.
2. Multiply the fundamental frequency by 1.75. (i.e. B2: 123.47Hz*1.75 = 216.07Hz)
3. Playback the resulting frequency (216Hz) using a signal generator.
4. Tune each lug on both the batter and the reso heads to the frequency (216Hz).

Pro Tips:

- Use studio or o-rings to remove the overtones for easier tuning.
- You can use a signal generator on your DAW or via an app on iOS or Android.
- When tuning, make sure you can hear the signal generator and the note from the skin in equal measure. When you get close to being in tune you should hear the two notes oscillating, much like tuning guitar strings, when this oscillation equalises, boom, you are in tune!

Sounds easy enough right? Who's going to try this next time they tune their drums? Let me know in the comments!

Click here for a chart of notes to frequencies.

Click here for more in depth information from TuneBot.