Click on any section:

• How do I tune my keyboard?

• How to use an electronic tuner for guitar or bass

• How do I tune my drums?

• How do I tune my drums from scratch?

• How do I muffle my drums?



How do I tune my keyboard? .................................................. top

If it’s a portable digital keyboard you shouldn’t have to – they’re permanently set to concert pitch (the “standard” around the world)

If you have a good quality, recent digital keyboard, your manual will show you how to reset middle C one octave lower.

Then just play everything one octave higher up the keyboard, to give you an extra octave of bass notes down the track.

If this is all as clear as mud, just leave it for now…



How to use an electronic tuner for guitar or bass ................. top

If you're not really used to the pitches of each string – invest in the sort of electronic tuner which shows each individual string name.
This is called aa. manual b. canna c. deep seatuner.

Make sure the tuner has a working battery, and rest it close to the sound hole (for an acoustic guitar) Try balancing it on your knee, or connect it using a sound lead if you have a pick-up.

Turn it on, select manual tuning, and select string 6 bottom E
(string 4 for bass) This is the string which pulls on the neck of your guitar
the strongest, so it’s usually the best string to start with.

Pluck E so no other string sounds, and turn the tuning peg slightly to raise
or lower the pitch until the first swing of the needle points pretty much to the
a. middle b. bottom c. backof the screen.

Some tuners have green and red lights to line up,
and some have needles which may dance around a bit.
So if you're inside one dot either side of the middle, it's probably
a. christmas b. close enough c. out of money

As long as the guitar is strung correctly, turning to the left
(anti-clockwise) should a. raise b. break c. hurtthe note on
the top pegs and the opposite on the lower ones.

Tune every time you practise and this will become really familiar.

It’s easier to tune up to the note you want, rather than tuning down.

And if you’re plugging in to the tuner with a guitar lead,
make sure you have the volume up on the guitar.

You’ll probably come across other tuning methods, including tuning to chords, as well as various variations and varieties on the 5th fret method.

Whichever method you use, keep the guitar in playing position - don’t lean your face too close to thea. guitar b. sun c. mirror
in case a string breaks - ouch!



How do I tune my drums? ........................................................top

There are lots of ways to tune drums.

Drums aren't usually tuned the same way as the other three instruments. (although Leonardo Da Vinci came up with an interesting variation a while back – track it down on the internet)

Drums need to be tensioned so each drum is in tune with itself,
more than a singable pitch - drum tuning is really more about the feel and tone of the sound.

And that depends on the type of skins and muffling you use,
even more than the quality or price tag of the drums themselves.

Don’t despair. Cheaper drums can still sound great!

Single heads give more power. Double heads give more
a. blood b. colour and tone c. milk

There's not really much point having both heads on your drums if they’re tuned the same - you may also set up unhelpful oscillations and
sound vibrations. So to start with, tune the bottom skin for
a. pitch b. money c. nothing

Then find a good feel or colour by tuning the top skin a little
a. faster b. lower c. better

But of course some drummers like just the opposite. Experiment!



How do I tune my drums from scratch? ................................. top

To tune from scratch, use a tuning key and slacken off each tuning rod. Then go around each rod until they’re all just
a. finger food b. finger tight c. fish fingers

Use the drum key on the bottom skin about a quarter turn each rod. Make
sure you go around the head
a. checking for lice b. diagonally c. clockwise
Keep tuning the same way (very small turns) until you like the sound.

Then do the same for the top skin (try tuning it a little lower)

Click here to order CD 1, with a video of tuning drums from scratch.



How do I muffle my drums? .................................................... top

Unless you're playing very live and very heavy,
your drums will probably sound more like your favourite CD if you use
a. muscles b. muffins c. muffling

Snazzy video clips don’t show you what drummers really use in the studio, but words like cotton wool, plasticine, masking tape, and cardboard may give you a few hints…

You can buy expensive muffling, or just chase down a bit of carpet underlay and make your own in a few minutes!

Cut a thin circle of underlay to fit inside each hoop. (use a cardboard circle for a template if you want). Then just whack a couple of bits of masking tape onto the rim, to let the foama. cup b. ring c. bounceto give a live sound.

Snares are often so loud (especially in schools, churches and small restaurants) that they may need a
a. weed mat b. car mat c. sound mat

And mats are great for practice – there are even mats for cymbals.

Kick drums usually sound much better with a semi-circle of foam underlay and/or a pillow or sleeping bag (preferably not being used at the time) up against the skin being kicked.

After tuning your kick drum, try backing the top two lugs off about
half a turn for a fatter, funkier sound.

Don't forget to make sure your toms descend in pitch around the kit.

And experiment with different cymbals, sizes, tunings, skins, and muffling as your tastes change. The range and possibilities are just about endless.

And before you use the sticks, make sure there are no creases in the skins from lack of tuning.

Click here to order CD 1, with a video of easy drum muffling.

Reckon you're ready to tune your guitar or bass by ear?
Click here to see and hear the notes of a tuned guitar
Click here to see and hear the notes of a tuned bass

Reckon you've got the hang of hearing when strings are in tune?
Click here to check you can tune a guitar or bass using the 5th fret method

OK, you're tuned up ready - time to play real chords...

Click here for a FREE lesson on chords .................................. top