Developing your Sound

by Dom Famularo

In my global travels to over 40 countries I have had the opportunity of meeting hundreds of thousands of drummers. Many of the questions I am asked during my drumming events performing in those countries are similar questions from each drummer. Drummers are the same everywhere… dedicated, curious and willing to try new ideas. I love this.

One of the most common questions has to do with developing our own sound.

The sound that we produce on our drum sets is an extension of our musical voice. This is very important to developing your own style also! The cymbals you choose, the kind of drum wood you choose, the sticks you choose and specifically the kinds of heads you choose is what blends the sound.

For me the two most important variables are the combinations of heads that I use and the tuning process that brings me to my sound. When you hear the drum sound in your head come to life that seems to bring you as one with your drum kit.

So let’s begin with the combination of heads. Remo has an amazing amount of variety that not only can produce any sound but can produce the feel you  also want. So when you’re playing your style, whether it’s Rock, Jazz, Latin, Funk, Fusion, Classical or Drum Corps, you have the sound that best speaks for you.

I suggest to research on the www.remo.com website all the different heads and understand the description explaining the sound. Next, visit your local music store and ask the drum salesperson to explain the Remo head options. Ask what combination they suggest for you to try, to achieve your sounds. Make sure you tell them what kind of sound you want, who your favorite drummers are and what kind of drums you have. This will really help in narrowing down the best heads for you!

I am a fan of birch wood. All my drums, including my snare drum, are made of  birch. Let’s start with my snare. It’s a 5 ½ x 14” snare. I use a Remo coated Ambassador on top and an Ambassador snare head on the bottom. For me, I want the snare to cut through the band but I like to have some depth out of the drum. So in tuning this, I can tune the bottom snare head tighter, the top head a little looser and have a tremendous driving sound with a deep rich tone. When I play a variety of styles this sound allows me to play from very soft to very loud and I can play very slow to very fast with complete clarity at each of those notes. Remember, it is about the sound you want. This is only my suggestion!

For the Bass Drum, I love a full, deep, open sound. I also like the feel of nothing inside the BD. I use the the Power Stroke 3 heads for front and batter. I cut a hole with the O ring that comes with the black Power Stroke. I cut it to the side, off center so the sound does not just rush out. The vibrations are caught in the BD to vibrate the heads just enough to give the depth of the birch wood! I tune the front head a little tighter than the batter and like a mushy batter head to give me the feel and sound! 

I would suggest to begin here with just the Snare and Bass drum. Get these to where you like it. Keep in touch and we will then talk about the toms and sound options that Remo offers! Remo has any sound you are looking for, so be patient and have fun in this process. This will be a learning experience, but it will lead you to know your sound and start to express yourself with a style you hear.

Always ask a teacher for assistance and the journey together will open up your options to let your talent soar! Have fun and keep in touch!