Tuning the Snare

• 1
  
  
  Find the throw-off lever on the side of the snare drum and release it. The snare wires underneath should be loose now. Remove the wires.
  
  
• 2). Choose one lug to start tuning. Lightly tap 1 inch toward the center away from this lug. Tighten or loosen this lug until the tap sounds correct.
  
  
• 3). Make the lug directly across from the previous lug sound exactly the same as the lug you just tuned. Lightly tap 1 inch toward the center away from this lug, and tighten or loosen the lug until it sounds the same as the lug directly across.
  
  
• 4). Continue tuning opposing pairs of lugs in this fashion until you can lightly tap your finger 1 inch away from any two lugs and have them sound the same. Once the resonant head is in tune, flip the drum over and tune the batter head.
  
  
• 5). Tune the batter head in the same fashion as before by choosing one lug to start. Tune in opposing pairs until they all sound the same. Once this is done, you may need to fine tune the resonant head and then the batter head until they match. When satisfied, replace the snare wires, flip the throw-off, and start enjoying your newly tuned snare.
  
  

Using a Tympanic Pressure Gauge

• 1
  DrumDial Tuner
  
  Refer to the owner's manual for your tympanic pressure gauge. Determine which pressure range is suited for a snare of your dimensions. Make sure you look at the diameter of the head as well as the depth.
  
  
• 2). Place the tool 1 inch toward the center as before, and tighten or loosen the lug until you reach the appropriate pressure. You do not have to tap the drum when using this type of gauge.
  
  
• 3). Using the opposing-pairs method from above, tune each lug until you reach the same pressure. Once you have tuned all the lugs on both heads to the same pressure, replace the snare wires.