Why do drums have two heads?

When both drumheads are tuned to the same note, they vibrate in concert together. This partnership between the two heads allows for the maximum amount of energy to be stored in the drums, yielding a longer sustain.

What are the two drum heads called?

There are 2 kinds of head on each drum. The side that you hit is the batter head while the bottom skin is a resonant head.

What are drum heads used for?

The main purpose of these heads is to eliminate overtones and focus the overall tone of the drum. The most commonly used methods for pre-muffling a head include adding a layer of Mylar or other material to the top or underside of the outer edge.

How important is the bottom heads on drums?

Tuning the resonant head lower than the batter head can give you a good, deep sustain (as long as the tuning difference between the heads isn't huge). With this tuning style, your drums will usually sound mellower and smoother.

Do drum heads matter?

If you prefer a less resonant sound to your drums and the drumhead still holds its pitch, it's unnecessary to replace them. However, if you prefer a more “bell-like” resonance and they sound muted (almost dead), no matter how much you tune, you'll probably want to change your drumheads.

Single Headed VS. Double Headed Toms

What is the skin of a drum called?

A drumhead or drum skin is a membrane stretched over one or both of the open ends of a drum. The drumhead is struck with sticks, mallets, or hands, so that it vibrates and the sound resonates through the drum.

Are snare and tom heads the same?

Batter heads and resonant heads. What's the difference? Snare drums and toms have a drum head on the top and bottom of the drum. The striking side of the drum is known as the batter head, and the bottom head, or non-striking surface, is called the resonant head.

Do drums need resonant head?

The reso head of a drum is probably one of the more overlooked areas when it comes to the set up of your drum kit. Most drummers understand that they need a reso skin, but once it's put on the drum, it's rarely tuned or replaced.

Do drum heads affect sound?

Because the drum head is the main striking point on the drum set, the quality of the drum heads determine the quality of sound the instrument is able to produce. As time goes on, all drum heads will weaken where you're hitting them the most.

Do you need a hole in your bass drum?

So what does a bass drum hole do? It's important to begin by saying you don't need a bass drum port hole. It comes down to the sound you want, and personal preference. Cutting a port hole in your bass drum changes the sound, and gives you the ability to do a few other things.

Are drum heads made from pigs?

Animal skin drum heads are produced from the hides of goats, cows and other livestock. Some drums are produced with the imported skins of animals native to their origin, such as the goat skin on a Djembe, giving the drum an authentic look, feel and sound.

Can you reuse drum heads?

Like strings for a guitar, drumheads are the most critical part of a drum kit. If one breaks and you don't have a backup, it could be a big problem. So, once you've put your new drumheads on, put the used heads in your drum cases if you're playing a gig or recording session, or store them in your rehearsal space.

How long do drum heads last?

After a long duration (six months to a year), the drum head becomes over-stretched and may begin to sound dissonant and out of tune, no matter how well you try. You may think that you're the only one who can tell the drum is out of tune, but you aren't.

Are resonant heads important?

Resonant heads are very important. More so than batter heads (for tuning) IMO. Its definitely worth changing your reso heads. With that said, the Genera line (G1) would be a great option....

Do I need to replace top and bottom drum heads?

It depends on how hard you hit your drums. I suggest you change the heads on the bottom of your toms and snare once a year. Some players never change those heads, but a new set will help liven up your sound.

Are resonant and batter heads the same?

The batter head is the one that is struck (top head) and the resonant head is the one that vibrates as air in between the two heads is compressed and expanded (bottom head).

Are thicker drum heads louder?

The first thing you hear when you strike a drumhead.

More attack means your drum will be more easily noticed, even in loud environments. Thicker, clear drumheads will usually have a louder attack, although the attack can drop off if the drumhead is too thick or has too much dampening.

What is a drum skin made of?

Drum shells are chiefly made from birch, maple, and poplar wood, though metal and synthetic variations are also available now and are taking over in some respects. Steel, aluminum, brass, and bronze are regularly used in the construction of these and plastic is used in synthetic shells.

How often should you replace drum sticks?

Some drummers replace their drum sticks once a week, while others can go for months without replacing. In most cases, drummers use their drum sticks until they break or splinter. Although it's not necessary to replace drum sticks as soon as they start fraying, it's a good indication that they're close to breaking.

Can you put batter heads as resonant heads?

I would strongly advise against it. The resonant head is supposed to resonate. If you have beaten your batter head to a point where it should be changed as a batter head, it really means it should be changed. It's beyond the point of optimal resonance and thus using it as a resonant head will not produce a good sound.

Should resonant heads be tighter?

Batter tighter than reso, batter and reso the same, batter looser than reso. All three are widely used and all three are perfectly acceptable. Thre is no right way or wrong way provided that the heads are in tune with themselves and the correlation between batter and reso produces the desired sound.

What's the difference between coated and clear drum heads?

Coated drumheads tend to muffle the sound a little bit while clear options offer brighter, more open sounds. Coated options are great options for snare drums and a must if you play with brushes. You won't be able to achieve that sandpaper sound with a clear snare head.

Can I use a snare head on a tom?

You can use any head in any drum as long as it fits. It's all about getting the sound you like.

What are drum rings?

Drum rings (o-rings) are a cheap, quick, and easy way to reduce ringing and sustain, fatten up your sound, and control hard-to-tune drums. These are drum rings that stop the ringing.

How does a drum resonate?

Striking the head of the drum changes its shape and compresses the air inside the shell. The compressed air presses on the bottom head and changes its shape. Then, these changes are transmitted to the drum shell and reflected back, and this action is repeated, creating a vibration.