Tuning Marching Bass Drums... Articulation with Tone by Jim Casella

Introduction
In modern rudimental percussion ensembles, tuning the bass drum section can be an intimidating process.  With the increasing demands placed on modern bass drum sections, the method in which the drums are tuned plays an important role in the overall sound of the ensemble.  The most important factor is that the bass drum section should provide a comfortable blend and support to the entire ensemble, whether it's a marching band, drum corps, or indoor percussion ensemble.

I am frequently asked the question of how the bass drums are tuned for the Santa Clara Vanguard.  My answer is generally very simple, and I will spend a good portion of this article explaining the details of how we tune the basses.  Please note that there are different styles of tuning, and the style that we choose is one that supplies ample muffling for clear articulation, while still allowing the drum to resonate with a good tone.  Other methods will supply less resonance but may create a bit more "punch".   One other consideration when tuning your bass drums will be the venue in which they will be played in.  Indoor drum lines are becoming very popular, and some care needs to be taken in tuning and muffling the drums so that they are not too boomy inside an auditorium or gymnasium.

Purpose of this article
The intent of this article is to supply a simple reference to percussion instructors, band directors, or players who may need to give their basses a tune-up (no pun intended).  The methods discussed are certainly not the only method of achieving a well-rounded bass drum sound.  Other methods have proven successful too, and it is encouraged to experiment with what works best for your individual needs.  This method, however, will quickly achieve a versatile sound which should prove to be not only easy-to-remember, but also long-lasting.

Tools of the trade:
Muffling
Obviously, applying muffling will "dry out" the sound of the drum, so it is not so ringy.  In most of today's marching ensembles a good amount of muffling will be needed.  I will discuss muffling techniques a bit more in-depth later, but you should be aware that you have a few options when purchasing muffling.  I would recommend Pearl Bass Drum Tone Strips (TS14), or some closed-cell style weather stripping which you can purchase at your local hardware store.  This closed-cell weather stripping is sometimes sold as "camper shell" weather stripping but can be purchased in different widths.  Other types of muffling may include: fabric taped to the drumhead, air conditioner-style weather stripping applied with spray adhesive, or felt strips.

Drum heads
A medium-weight smooth white head is the most commonly used.  Most drum companies ship their drums with this type of head.  When purchasing new heads, ask for Remo smooth white ambassadors.  These work better than a thicker head (such as Emperors or pinstripes) since they have more resonance, however the durability may be a bit higher on a thicker or double-layered head.

Grease
Grease is used inside the lug casing on the female threads to ensure good lubrication when tightening the drum head.  Rudimental bass drums have a high amount of tension on them, so lubricating the threads is important.  Use white lithium style grease rather than lubricants such as Vaseline or WD40 which has a tendency to liquefy in hot weather, therefore not serving it's intended purpose.  Be careful not to use too much grease, especially on the threads of the actual tension rod because it can get very messy.

The SCV tuning approach

Placement of Muffling
The most important aspect in SCV bass drum tuning is the placement of the muffling on the drumhead.  A full circle of muffling will be applied directly to the inside of the drumhead.  For smaller drums, the circle will be closer to the center of the head, and for the larger drums, the circle will be closer to the shell of the drum (See figure 1).  The reason for this is that the tension is much greater on a smaller drum than it is on a larger one.  For example, with the higher tension on an 18 inch drum there is less ring, so less muffling is needed for articulation with tone.  When the muffling is farther away from the shell, it creates a smaller diameter of muffling, therefore making the drumhead less muffled.  You will find that using different muffling techniques will be the key factor in achieving the most drastic differences in the resulting sound of your drums.

Drum Pitch Relationships
One question that is often asked is, "What pitches are the drums tuned to?"  The answer is that they don't need to be tuned to specific pitches at all.  If you find pitches that work well for you, that is fine and will give you a good guideline to tune to.  The main importance here is that there is enough separation in the pitch intervals between drums (See figure 2).  Certain size drums are capable of different pitch ranges, so you must use good judgment to not over tighten a bass drum.  When tuning the drums, it is best to start with the top drum since it will require the most tension.  Get that drum to a good-sounding tension (which will most likely be pretty tight), then work your way down the line to get the "intervalic" relationships in check.  If you can keep the intervals around major thirds, you will be in good shape.  There is no set way to do this, but major thirds will supply a good separation and range.  Another key is to keep the bottom drum on the low side.  You'll notice in figure 2 that the bottom bass is tuned to the interval of a fifth below the drum ahead of it.  The reason for this is simply to provide some extra bottom to the overall sound.

Balancing the heads
Another fundamental topic in tuning marching bass drums is maintaining the heads themselves.  Similar to timpani, care must be taken to keep the tension consistent on each portion of the head so no annoying overtones exist.  For the same reason, it is equally important that each head (right and left) is in tune with each other.  This seems like a simple concept, yet it is often difficult to get a drum perfectly in-tune with itself.  When balancing a single head lug-to-lug, be sure the opposite head is muffled so as to not confuse any of those overtones with the head you are concentrating on tuning.  It is also helpful to muffle the center of the head slightly with one hand, so your ear can concentrate on balancing the high overtones found toward the edge of the head.

Changing the heads
When replacing the heads, there are a few tricks to remember.  First, before tightening the head, if there is a visible logo on the head, be sure the player tries on the drum to be sure the logo is straight.  This is simply a cosmetic concern.  Since the drums/harnesses may sit a little differently on each individual player, it is best to do this with them actually wearing the drum. Apply the head to the drum shell, put the rim on, then attach the tension rods and claws very loosely.  Once the logo is straight, tighten the tension rods evenly with your fingers and start taking it up evenly from there.

Second, be sure to take care in not tightening the drum head too quickly.  Bass drum heads take a while to break in or seat, and usually they sound best a few days after a new head has been applied.  For this reason, keep it a little low, and then slowly (over the course of a few days) bring the pitch up to the desired level.  This allows time for the head to settle in to the shape of the drum shell, while maintaining a good, balanced sound.  Once you achieve the sound you are looking for, the maintenance of the drums is relatively simple.  Just keep the heads in balance, and touch up the pitches every so often, and you should get some good mileage out of your bass heads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do my drums sound so boomy?
A: 1) The drums may be tuned a little too low.
    2) You may need a bit more muffling.

Bass Drums are very boomy in nature, so the more "ring" they have to them, the more boomy they will be.  If this is causing balance problems with your group, you should probably apply more muffling.  However, don't add any free materials (pillows, foam, toilet paper, etc.) to the inside of the drum.  This deaden the tone more than necessary.  If they still seem a little boomy, try raising the pitch a little.

Q: Why do the bass drums sound so dead?
A: 1.) Check for excessive amounts or the style of muffling.
     2.) The pitch on the drum may be out of range (low or high).
     3.) The heads may be too old and worn out.
     4.) You may be using a 2-ply head or one that is too thick.
     5.) The mallets may be too small.

Thick bass heads have a tendency to be more dead sounding, which is why it is recommended to use a medium-weight, single-ply head.  Also, the method in which the drums are muffled can affect the tone dramatically.  Refer above to Placement of Muffling to solve the problem of over muffled drums.  Also, don't add any free materials (pillows, foam, toilet paper, etc.) to the inside of the drum.  This will only deaden the tone more.
Q: Why am I getting a big dent in the middle of my drum head?
A: 1.) The drum head may be too loose.
     2.) The mallet head may be too small.

If you like the way the drum is tuned, but you still get the dent, try using a larger headed mallet.  If it is still happening with a larger headed mallet, the player may be hitting the drum too hard.  If that is not the case, it is recommended to apply a plastic dot (available from Remo) to the playing area of the head to extend the life of the head.  A quick-fix for this problem is to repair the damaged area by blowing hot air on it from a regular hair dryer.  This will temporarily help the plastic return to its normal state.

Q: How do I decrease the volume of the drums indoors?
A: 1.) Train the players to lighten-up their touch when playing marching drums indoors.
     2.) Add another circle of muffling to the drum head.

Typically, rudimental bass drummers are trained to play with a good deal of volume.  The loud range obviously isn't so important in an indoor setting.  The easiest solution is to play lighter.  If the drums still seem overbearing, it is recommended to add more muffling.  It is best to add a different size circle of muffling (or partial circle), so that a different area of the drum head is being muffled.

Conclusion
These methods are merely one effective way to approach rudimental bass drum tuning.    This process can be fairly time-consuming if you are following the procedures outlined, so be sure you have some time and patience to devote to your bass drums.  They will thank you for it, just listen...