0800RXBB-C(a) Tuning a pipe band snare drum is straightforward, provided you know the basics and use your ear.

Firstly, make sure you know what type of sound you are searching for. If you don't know, either finish before y'all showtime, or get to a pipe band contest and have a listen to see what yous similar. Nowadays, tone plays a pretty vital role in the overall operation, and in the end – the result.

Let'south start at ground zero.

When y'all receive your piping band snare pulsate you should dismantle information technology. Yep, yous read it correctly. Dismantle it. Why, you're asking? Well, y'all cannot guarantee that the manufacture has correctly lubricated the drum.  Therefore, if yous just showtime to tighten the bolts, it will exist metal on metal. Not platonic, and volition also result in possible corrosion or jamming.  Yous really desire the drum to last you as long every bit possible.

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Remove the pipe band snare head and interruption band. Use a standard drum tuning fundamental.

1. Lower the height of the snare mechanism. Take the top suspension band off using a tuning key.  Remove the head. Take a textile and wipe effectually the bearing edge (the rim of the wooden shell).  Ensure there are no loose particles within the trounce. Take some lubrication (vaseline will suffice) and identify it around the bearing edge where the head will sit.  Also, generously lubricate all of the holes where the commodities will insert.

ii. Lubricate in between each washer using an industrial oil. Again, this will prevent warping and friction. This is a pretty messy part of the gear up-up – only don't skip it out!

Lubricate the bolt holes and around the bearing edge.

Lubricate the bolt holes and effectually the bearing border.

iii. Place the caput back on the begetting edge (ensuring you have removed any stickers from the head) and then place the top hoop over it and set the bolts in. Using the tuning key, start slowly tightening the bolts so that they just initially "catch".  Then you will desire to piece of work clockwise from bolt to bolt and gradually bring the head downwardly. i.e. increasing the tension.

The Jim Kilpatrick drum tuning block.

The Jim Kilpatrick drum tuning block.

4. Introduce the Jim Kilpatrick Tuning cake. This trivial beauty is a saviour. It helps yous to ensure that you are evenly bring the caput down, and is Style improve than using a vernier caliper. Start at the largest portion of the block, and work your style down. I would say become at least half manner or two thirds of the fashion on the block to start with. This will give you something half reasonable to play on (but still pretty tubby/flat). I have gone farther, and tend to do so more than oftentimes than non.  Once y'all have got to a point where you lot are happy, only tighten the pinnacle caput sing 1/8 turns clockwise.  This doesn't need to exist done at every practice. Try to retrieve of when you want the drum to be "at its best" – and piece of work your way slowly towards that.

Using a tuning key, apply tension to the head by tightening the bolt on the suspension ring.

Using a tuning key, apply tension to the head by tightening the bolt on the intermission ring.

There you go, that's stage one completed! Piece of cake.

Check back soon for the next Stage on getting your piping band snare pulsate set up.

James.

Pipage Band Drumming Video Lessons