8. Putting on Drumheads

To play your new drumheads, you first need to put them on the drum. This process is pretty straightforward. Start by removing the old head with a drum key or a power drill with a drum key attachment. Position your drum so the head is horizontal in front of you—this applies to the bass drum too. After loosening all the tuning screws, take off the hoop, then remove the head. You'll often find dust and stick splinters, which you should clean out at this point. It's also a good idea to check the bearing edge for any unevenness, nicks, or other damage that could make tuning difficult. Important to note: on the resonant side of the snare drum, you'll usually find two factory-made indentations in the shell, called the snare bed.

Now, you can place the new head on the bearing edge, ideally without the aluminum collar (the head's edge) scraping along the shell. Then, put the hoop back on straight and start tightening opposite tuning screws in pairs with your fingers until they begin to catch. Some drummers tighten the screws in a crisscross pattern so the head becomes very tight. This stretches the head and helps it conform to the shape of your drum’s bearing edge. This step isn't absolutely necessary, though. You might hear some cracking and popping sounds during this process—don't worry, it's just the adhesive residues breaking.

Collar/Aluminum Ring