PART I | How We Tune Our Bop Drums for Jazz | The Bass Drum

Welcome to this four-part series on tuning your drums for jazz! In this series, drummer Gabriel Landa demonstrates exactly how we tune our kits on this channel, starting with the bass drum.
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Today we're using a Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute in bop sizes (18/12/14/6.5x14). We'll be tuning up some brand new Evans Calftone heads.
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If you enjoyed this video, please give it a like and subscribe! You can find both Mostly Bop Drums and Gabe on Instagram: @mostlybopdrums @gabriel_landa777
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Music: "It Ain't Nothing 'till It's Something" by Mikailo Kasha (@minkendo64)
Trumpet - David Sneider (@doorsneid)
Tenor Sax - Aidan O'Connor (@aidan__oconnor)
Piano - Leo Folsom (@leo__abraham)
Bass - Mikailo Kasha
Drums - Marcello Carelli (@mcarelli_artistry19)
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Filming/Editing: Mikailo Kasha
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Lastly, LET US KNOW what you want to see next! Any particular kits? Any songs? Drum heads? Let us know! We've got lots planned for this year, so we hope you stick around and enjoy! Cheers!

[@kurtpatterson1296]

The reason that I heard for the popularity of the 18in base drum was this.Many musicians in small combos in the 50's and 60's were touring in 4 door sedans.Along with other instruments, 18in bass drums were the only ones that would fit in backseats or trunks.Hence,it's popular use.

[@bluezurich]

I have been Tunebotting my new Renown Bop kit for the last month with low, medium and high tuning. It sounds good no matter where but this video series got it to where I like it. High but not too high. Musical but didn't have to get too technical and anal about pitches. Very happy Thanks Gabriel.

[@cfoldesh]

The tunebot is super handy. Makes tuning super quick and consistent.

[@gl5486]

Great video guys!! Can't wait for the next parts!

[@MostlyBopDrums]

Coming tomorrow!

[@deployed_drums]

Awesome, thanks so much! I’ve been waiting to see how you guys create such wonderful sounds with your kits!

[@stevekimball7697]

Yes!

[@Ian.Ho1]

Hello gabe, in the jazz sound, is it common to use white frosted bottom drum skins, or do most people use clear skins?

[@musiqsoundsproductions]

Sick kit. I had a 2nd gen, a Club Custom (SJ gen) and a Oak 2nd gen. I think the MC was still the most beautiful out of them all. The only one I didn't had yet is the Beech and the Birch. I think the beech should sound the best out of them all (as my big Beech Absolute 1st gen was also the most beautiful out of all the Yamaha kits I had)

[@RianGalway193]

Really informative, thank you. I have a Natal Café racer bop kit it’s a tulip wood shell with additional 16 fl tom. My query is, would you recommend a bass drum lifter? I have an Evans Dixon lift but I see so many jazz drummers without a lift. I actually play rock/blues on said bop kit. Thanks ✌🏼

[@inkeye1]

Thanks for the tutorial. Looking forward to the rest of the series parts. I still haven't decided what bop size kit to get. I've thought about a Ludwig Classic Maple a Ludwig Revette from Revival Drum Shop, a Gretsch Renown, a Gretsch Catalina Jazz, or an Inde Wafarer kit. I'm sure there more choices out there that I'm not thinking of.

[@dustjacket1000]

Canopus Yaiba

[@MostlyBopDrums]

Those are some great options. But yes, there are many others as well! Really depends on your budget. Shoot us a dm on insta and I'll be happy to discuss more!

[@DZNTZ]

You might add in Yamaha Stage Custom bop, and Geo. H. Way bop kit too - The Yamaha SC is one of the best sounding bop kits out there, REGARDLESS of price. That’s pretty amazing for a $500 set of drums, but just close your eyes and listen! Many, many professionals out there using them, with good reason. The Way bop drums are sublime, and the whole build style embodies an old-school bop vibe (thin shells with rerings, center lugs, T-rods, classic spurs and legs, and phenomenal hoops).

[@paulysci925]

My vote is for a George way mahogany it's gonna be your best bang for buck. If you wanna go all the way I say get a gretsch broadkaster

[@bluezurich]

I am over the moon with my Renown 12/14/18. Of all the middle to high end kits, it's one of the best values. Basically a USA Custom built in Asia.

[@andrewisakov6266]

What version of Voyage plays on background? Cool bass riff and sound of all ensemble

[@MostlyBopDrums]

An old recording that was never released :)

[@0is291]

Hey gabe I've tuned up my 18in catalina kick the same as yours but whenever I hit it harder it buzzes and it's really annoying me so I was wondering if you had any solutions, thanks

[@harchitb]

where can I find this song by mikailo kasha?

[@m.vonhollen6673]

Tip: use 2 drum keys simultaneously.

[@toneclassics]

Thanks for this, do you usually tune your bass and your 12 tom an octave apart (or your bass and snare?)? Or a full step apart? I'm showing your...
Bass: A
12: G
14: C#-D
Snare: G#
on this series of tuning videos.
I'm getting into free jazz, and have really been experimenting with tunings, do you have any go to tuning intervals you could share, for jazz, free, avant garde, abstract, bop, etc.
Thanks, loving your channel

[@bumsibar6163]

fyi: the interval between your heads is neither a major or minor third, but a whole step.

[@robinjohnson6301]

I hear it as being closest to a major 3rd.

[@hoganbentle3582]

Same, it is closest to a major 3rd.

[@bumsibar6163]

weird, on my real speakers also sounds like major 3rd. confused! :) great vids