Abstract: A tension rod positioning assembly and method for installing, replacing, and clamping a drum head between a drum rim and a drum shell using a tensioning rod. The tension rod positioning assembly includes a base plate adapted to be mounted to the drum shell, a slide arm slidably mounted to the base plate and adapted to accept the tensioning rod, and an arm positioning assembly adapted to move the slide arm. The method for removing the drum head from a drum includes providing a drum head mounted between a drum rim and a drum shell on the drum, the drum head tensioned by a drum lug assembly with a drum lug handle connected to a slide arm adapted to slide substantially parallel to the drum shell, the slide arm receiving a tensioning rod with a tensioning rod head, releasing the drum lug handle to move the slide arm towards the drum head to relieve tension on the tensioning rod, moving the drum rim away from the drum shell to allow access to the drum head, and lifting the drum head from the drum shell.