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Drum Tuning

Drum Tuning Guide
A step by step video tuning guide for hand drums. Teaches a step by step approach to learn to tune and seeking the proper tones for Congas, Djembe, Bongos and Timbales. Each drum is tuned step by step. Includes important topics like drum cleaning, maintenance, singing and imitating the tones, lug cleaning and tuning techniques.
( Video, audio & notation for each exercise )
Available formats: online / download / cdrom / Dvd

Delivery method: online + correspondence.
Course materials: All course materials are provided
Student support: Yes
Study time: Self-paced
Pre-requisites: None / Study 2 to 4 hours a week (for 10 weeks)
Enrolment dates: Enrol anytime - start now!
Test: Online test after completing the course.
Diploma: Yes (Must complete test satisfactory)

Course Samples

Windows media video sample

Mov video sample

Audio sample

Program Contents

Course overview :
- 4 videos of 10 a 20 min each (60 min tot. video)
- A step by step Tuning guide for Congas, Djembe, Bongos & Timbales

Each lesson is shown on video (windows media player)

Video introduction :
The introductional video welcomes the student and talks about general hand drum tuning topics like leaning and taking care of your drums, cleaning the tuning lugs for easy and precise tuning.

Tuning the Djembe :
In the first section we tune the djembe. The djembe is first shown with a loose djembe skin, then assembly and tuning the djembe and giving it the exact skin pressure for good playing.
The djembe that is shown is not a traditional djembe, we use a lug tuned djembe! But it still gives an excellent idea of general djembe tuning and the proper tone and skin pressure for good playing!

Lesson 1 :
- Djembe tuning - step by step
- Explanation of the proper djembe skin pressure for playing the tones

Tuning the Congas :
Here we tune 2 conga drums (quinto and conga). The conga drums are first shown with a loose skin, then assembly and tuning both conga drums and giving them the exact skin pressure for good playing.
We also discuss the tonal relation between quinto and conga and how to obtain this by singing and imitating the tones and how to apply this for tuning both drums!

Lesson 2 :
- Tuning a set of 2 congas (quinto and conga)
- Tonal relation between conga drums
- Tuning the quinto first
- Tune the conga, and obtain the tonal relation
- Singing and imitating the conga tones for tuning

Tuning the Bongos :
Here we tune a bongo, 2 drums, macho and hembra.
The bongos are first shown with a loose skin, then assembly and tuning both bongo drums and giving them the exact skin pressure for good playing.

Lesson 3 :
- Tuning a set of bongos (macho and hembra)
- Explanation of the proper bongo skin pressure

Tuning the Timbales :
Here we tune a set of Timbales.
The Timbales are first shown with a loose skin, then assembly and tuning both timbale drums and giving them the exact skin pressure for good playing.

Lesson 4 :
- Tuning a set of Timbales (macho and hembra)
- We show a practical approach for tuning the timbales