Single-Ply Clear Heads

• Clear heads are single-ply transparent drum heads. These are common, easily tunable, bright, and very resonant, with a lot of attack. They are most commonly used for toms and bass drums and come in three thicknesses: thin, medium and thick. Remo, one of the biggest manufacturers of drum heads, calls the different thicknesses Diplomat, Ambassador and Emperor respectively. These names are commonly used even in reference to drum heads that are not Remo. Generally thin heads are louder, brighter with more "ring," or overtone. Single ply, and thinner heads in general are the least durable. May Music Studio recommends starting with Remo Clear Ambassador heads, and adjusting as you hone in on the tone you want. Evans G1 are a comparable head.
  
  

Single-Ply Coated Heads

• Instead of being transparent, these heads are white and opaque. They are usually used for the batter side of the bass drum and for the top and bottom of the snare. Coated heads are generally "warmer" and more focused sounding, with fewer overtones. The snare bottom skin, also called a snare side skin, is usually very thin to allow for optimal snare resonance. It is also never hit, so durability isn't much of an issue. Recommended coated heads are Remo Coated Ambassador, and Remo Hazy Ambassador Bottom Snare Heads for the snare bottom.
  
  

Black Dot Heads

• These single-ply heads have a black dot attached to the center of the skin for durability and tone dampening, which makes the drum tone sound more focused. These are used on the top, or batter side, mostly on the bass drum and snare. Remo makes black dot heads called the Clear Controlled Sound Drumhead, recommended by May Music Studio.
  
  

Pinstripe Heads

• Pinstripe heads are double-ply and clear. The two layers are attached at the edges, which helps dampen high overtones and general resonance. They make a drum sound that has a more moderate attack and are quieter than single-ply heads, with a rounder, lower, more controlled sound overall. They are commonly used in most contemporary modern musical styles: Rock, Pop, Country, Funk and R&B. Remo Clear Pinstripe is the pinstripe head recommended by May Music Studio.
  
  

Hydraulic Heads

• These two-ply heads have a thin layer of oil between them. Hydraulic heads are strong, durable and tune easily. The overall tone is mellower, with less "ring," or overtones. They are used on the top, batter side of the drum. Evans Black Hydraulic are the recommended make for hydraulic heads.
  
  

Muting Drum Heads

• Once a drum skin type is chosen, there is still ample opportunity to manipulate the tone of the drums. Muting rings, narrow rings of old drum head material cut out and placed on top of the drum mutes the higher overtones and shortens the sustain of the drum by constricting the motion of the top skin. The practice became so common that head manufacturers now make them. There are even two-ply drum heads with the center of the under layer cut out, simulating the muting ring. Another product is moon gel, a sticky, gel-like blob attached to the top head that decreases the head's resonance. Drummers commonly use tape and tissue or toilet paper attached to the head for a similar effect.