Customer Reviews

Drum Tuning:A comprehensive guide to tuning drums

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Since I got back into playing the drums about four years ago, I've always wondered if I was tuning my kit properly. I bought videos and checked out books that thought would answer my questions, but all they did was leave me with more qestions. This is the first book that I have come across that has really made sence to me. It delt with common problems that for some reason other sources forgot to mension. Case in point, I was really having a problem with my snares vibrating when I would play my tom tom. I tried just about everything to cure this. "Sympatheic vibration", otherwise known as "snare buzz", page 18. After reading this page, and applying the methods suggested, the problem was solved. This book is the perfect book for anyone who plays drums and has ever had questions about tuning.

This book is both simple and simply great. Over the past 15 years I've tried many ways to tune my kit for a better balanced sound, but it wasn't until I read Nolly's book that I was able to get results. I first got curious after seeing the endorsements of Appice, Aronoff and Mitch Mitchell and then going back to an old Modern Drummer magazine that had an article by the author on tuning. I took a chance and wasn't disappointed, and I recommended it as a practical reference source for any drummer regardless the level of experience. It works!

I think this is the best book on drum tuning you can find. I'm an intermediate drummer and I found this book very helpful. I really like the section on tuning the snare drum. After reading Mr. Nolly's book, I found that I was making a lot of mistakes tuning my snare drum, as well as my whole drum set. I've never been able to get the sound that I wanted out of my drums but now I can.

This brief book spells out some basic concepts involved in drum tuning that might be helpful for those who have little to no experience tuning drums. However, as an experienced drummer, I found few insights that were helpful. Most of the tips were common knowledge among the drummers I know, and widely available on internet sites.

I don't understand the negative reviews (one anonymous). This guide is the best guide I have seen that advises you step by step, and drum by drum how to tune the top head to the shell itself, then tune the bottom head to the shell as well. It advises you once you have self tuned your drums how to tune them to one another. It covers reasons for "buzz". Of course for the professional musicians that have negative comments here (although I have not heard of them professionally live or as studio drummers, everyone has their opinion). I have been playing 18 years. I think I tune drums pretty well.
Yes I knew much, but I learned a few things that made it worth the $13.
If you are new to drums and you have a $600 set and you want it to sound like a $1600 set, make sure your drums are in tune. I can get a $600 set to sound like a $1600 set. If you can't, pick up this book. Read it two to 3 times through, it is easy reading and enjoyable. You will be able to tune that set after reading his book.

I have no affiliation to the author, just followed the positive reviews from fellow Amazon reviewers. It is the best book on drum tuning I have seen to date.

UPDATE: 12/26/2011

This is still the best drum tuning booklet out there, period.

In my judgement, this is a very poor attempt on the subject. I suggest that one should beware of this waste of time and money. There has to be better professional advice out there. This is certainly no valuable source in regards to drum tuning. I would leave this one out of your collection!

John Lovett