You should also retune your snare if you’ve replaced either head. If you’re having trouble with your sound, particularly the “decay” (how long the sound lasts for), you likely have issues with your bottom head. Always check if it is loose before tuning the top head. [1] X Research source
There should just be a little give. The resonant head is clear, and has snare wires across it.
If you hit the top of the drum, you’d hear a deeper sound without the ringing, snare-like sound. This means the snares are unlocked.
If it is too tight, turn it back a quarter turn.
Think of the drum head as a game of tug-of-war. You want all sides to be pulling on the head equally, otherwise it stretches too far in one direction and becomes uneven. [2] X Research source
There should not be any wrinkles across the bottom head when you are done. Remember, you need some give. Resonant heads are thin, and can snap if over-tuned.
For perfect drum tuning, get out a ruler and measure the distance from under the hoop to the top of the lugnut. They should all be even. This, however, is likely not necessary for casual players, or those playing looser music like rock and roll.
Tightening the rod will make it sound higher pitched. Loosening it will make it a bit deeper. If you have a percussion keyboard or piano, you can listen directly to pitch to make this easier. You want the head to be between G and B-flat.
You’ll get more stick bounce with a tighter head. You should re-test the drum at each rod when done to make sure the tone is even.
Drum tone is largely subjective. Keep playing and tuning yourself and you’ll find out what you like and don’t like. Don’t tune your drum with the wires hooked up, or microphones attached. You need to hear the drum cleanly and crisply. [5] X Research source
