The secret of How To Tune Drums is Your Ears! Determine what sound you are trying to achieve. If you are not sure find a few of your favorite recordings with a great drum sound and let these guide you. There are no right ways to tune drums, and if you do it "wrong" you will hear it. Trial and error is the key to success. With experience and time you will find a sound that is right for you.
Tuning drums is very dependent on the quality of your drums. True roundness of the drum shell is vitally important. The bearing edges must be perfectly flat and precise. Think of the hoops as the bearing edge's other side. I believe the shell's wood type is of much less importance compared to the other factors when learning how to tune drums.
For example, a slightly undersized shell, 1/4" less than the stated diameter of the drum is a big plus. The heads when allowed to float on the bearing edge makes drum tuning easier.
Proper tuning of your drums requires lugs that are smooth to operate without de-tuning or backing out easily. Diecast hoops are more rigid and tend to hold tuning a bit better than normal flanged hoops. Many higher priced drums include these. Wood hoops although pricey are worth considering as some drummers feel they produce a warmer sound.
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