Ok. So each tom will have 5 lugs. You want to get each lug the same tension on one drum, at first. Get everything finger tight and tighten down 3 full turns. You want to tune the drums to Do-Re-Me. Tap about 1 inch from the rim at each lug until they all sound the same then hit the center. If it goes with the Do-Re-Me(Or 'Here Comes The Bride') then go to the next drum and do the same. The bottem head shouldn't be as tight as the top head, but not loose. Play around with both heads until you get a nice rich tone.

http://www.drummingweb.com/tuning.htm
http://experts.about.com/q/Drums-Per...set-tuning.htm
http://www.tigerbill.com/subjects/howtotunedrums.htm

Always criss cross tighten. If you don't you have a better chance of breaking the head. A professional drummer rarely breaks heads, if they know what they're doing. You never want to bash on the drums, you'll get loud but not as nice of a sound. Pull the sound out of the head.


Edit: For your cymbals, keep very good care of them. I never use cymbal polisher because it will take the sound out of the metal and will make them sound trashier. Also it could discolor them. Thats just what I've heard and seen, everyone does it their own way.

I recommend getting a beginners guide to the drumset. You will notice the most gain while using that. Once you can move all four limbs independently, then try using some warmups. If you search the internet (And most drumset books will show you a fun and challenging way) to warmup and build up your muscles.

Edit: http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/