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Drum Tuning Diary – Day 1.

Day 1.

Started with 1st tom, took off top and bottom skin, cleaned bearing edge and drum, then replaced skins, finger tight each lug first. Bottom skin 1 full turn with drum key, top skin, half turn with drum key, as already know in general bottom skin should be tuned higher than top skin.

I started to hear the notes at each lug, and work out which are higher or lower, however this didn’t last long as then my ears couldn’t differentiate between the notes because of over use. Thats why its important to do small sessions each day, hopefully then it will begin to make sense in my own mind as I carry on with my normal day.

I also recognised that I shouldn’t be scared of tuning, as at the end of the day, it is a piece of wood with 2 skins attached, and that with tuning, it is tuning to how I would like my drums to sound, and therefore cannot really be wrong.

Decided to do another 30 minute session, (maybe gonna do 2, 30 min sessions a day depending on how much time I have) moved onto the floor tom, same procedure. Noticed the note I’m getting is moving up in pitch then down, in a booww sound. This is because no definite note is reached yet, hopefully I can eliminate the pitch bend effect and arrive at 1 definite note per drum.
Anyways not a bad first day, lots and lots of work to do, training those ears!!
Also here is a picture of my nearly finished custom C&C kit in satin flame…

UK Tour, Philip Selway & C&C Snare Drum

Firstly I have just got back from a week long tour around the UK with Mechanical Bride, we began in Brighton at the Komedia, and took in the sights of London, Oxford, Cardiff, Bath, Cambridge and Cheltenham. The Highlight of the tour would be our support band in Cambridge, Bathing Blonds, check out their music they are a very talented bunch and one to look out for, and the lowlight would be getting stranded in Cambridge due to the van needing a well earned holiday..

http://soundcloud.com/bathingblonds

I also had the huge privilege of meeting Philip Selway from Radiohead at our show in Oxford at the Jericho Tavern, where 20 years ago they were first spotted and signed up. We had a lovely in depth chat, and he remarked on how interesting and accomplished my drumming was, which obviously was a huge compliment from one of my biggest musical influences, Thank you Philip!

Here is the Philip in action with new Radiohead member Clive Dreamer on double drums duty..

Also I my C&C snare drum is finished…

C&C Psychedelic Yellow Satin Flame Snare Drum

Here is a first glimpse at my C&C Custom drum kit. This is the snare drum, with a yellow satin flame finish, its yet to have the lugs, strainer and rims installed (the metalwork basically on the drum) but gives an idea of the psychedelic wrap.

The rest of the kit will be in a blue satin flame, which is the same flame effect in a very dark blue, almost black, can’t wait to see it!