How is a tongue drum made?

Are you looking for the best steel tongue drum to use for relaxation or meditation ? There are many to choose from, and you could even make your own. Today we will address this question " How is a tongue drum made? " and give you some answers on the subject of tongue drum making .

The tongue drum is a percussion instrument from the idiophone family, which means that the material the instrument is made of produces the sound itself, without the need for strings, a membrane or an external resonator. Other names for this piece of music are tank drum, hank drum or steel tongue drum .

If you're new to the melodic aspect of drumming, the steel tongue drum is a great way to start. You may have seen a street musician playing it, in a drum circle, or as part of a larger musical ensemble. Even if you're completely new to music, the steel tongue drum is perfect. It's easy to learn and sounds beautiful from the first moment you start playing. Seriously, this instrument sounds amazing! But there are a few aspects you should know, like tongue drum maintenance , different tongue drum materials , daily tongue drum care , and last but not least, the tongue drum manufacturing process . This is where it's going to get interesting today, so read on!

Are tongue drum design and tongue drum materials related?

The tongue drum is, as we now know, an idiophone, like the handpan and the kalimba . These instruments are all made from different materials, which are reflected in the tongue drum design and influence the sound. At Sonodrum you will only find the steel tongue drum, which is the most common today and perfect for getting started in music.

The materials a drum is made of contribute to its durability.

• The steel tongue drum : The construction of a steel tongue drum is complicated, but it is durable. Steel tongue drums are made from either pure steel or alloyed steel and come in D major or C major. The sizes also vary, depending on the number of tongues, from 8 to 15 tongues. Be sure to check out the accompanying music books .
  
  
• The Wooden Tongue Drum : While almost anyone can make a log drum or clay drum with a few woodworking tools, it takes experience in construction and a good ear to make a drum with tuned notes. Therefore, you should start by building a drum with two notes and experimenting with the length of the tongues before moving on to other notes/tongues. Beautiful, hand-selected native and exotic hardwoods can be used. In the industry, each model is precisely tuned to a particular scale.
  
  
• Plastic Tongue Drums : One of the most notable aspects of tongue drums is the fact that they are usually made from natural materials . This is in contrast to other drums, which are often made from synthetic materials such as plastic. The use of natural materials gives tongue drums an organic sound, and many people believe that it makes them sound more relaxed. Additionally, natural tongue drum materials tend to be more durable than synthetic ones, meaning that with proper tongue drum care, these musical instruments can last for many years.

Shape and number of tongues - tongue drum manufacturing steps and their sound

What you need to pay attention to in the tongue drum making process and when buying a steel tongue drum is the scale of the drum. This will affect the shape and number of tongues and the diversity of the sound. The scale plays a major role in how the sound will affect you. In other words, the scale determines how a tongue drum sounds and affects the manufacturing of tongue drums accordingly .

The steel tongue drum looks like a flying saucer and has a unique, pleasant timbre created by striking the "tongues". The number of tongues varies depending on the instrument, with each producing a different note.

Tongue drums come in many scales, and recently there are also multi-scale models that allow you to tune the tongue drum to different scales. This is a great way to play multiple scales without having to buy multiple tongue drums. There are even electro-acoustic models that can be connected to an amplifier or sound card, allowing for endless effects.

In a way, the tongues are like the individual strings of a guitar or the keys of a piano. They allow the instrument to create rhythms or melodies. Each tongue is tuned to a specific note. The weight, width and length of the tongue determine the sound and pitch of the note.

Production of tongue drums - tongue drum production process in various steps

All Sonodrum tongue drums are handmade from a steel alloy.

Tongue drum steps regarding manufacturing:

1. To produce them, you first use steel shells which are then cast.
2. The tongues are hot-stamped into the top.
3. The bottom has a sound hole.
4. Both shells are then glued together.
5. They are polished and, if necessary, given a glaze.
6. Instead of glazing, the tongue drum can also be sprayed with paint or chrome-plated.

Each tongue is tuned to a specific note depending on its size. The larger the tongue, the deeper the note and vice versa. The notes of each tongue drum are part of a selected tonality. This is why a tongue drum always sounds harmonious and is easy to play.

The shaping of the shells and the heat treatment contribute to the sound of the instrument, so it is equally important to define and respect the technical specifications of each batch of material (to obtain the desired mechanical and vibration properties) so that the tongue drum acquires its own sound identity and can be reproduced perfectly every time.

In wooden variants, the basic construction is a long, hollow, rectangular box with a lid perforated and cut into “tongues” that produce a warm, soft, earthy “thunder” when struck.

After purchase: Tongue drum care is important and is part of the tongue drum maintenance of each individual specimen

Steel tongue drums usually have a painted or chrome-plated finish. They are made from alloyed metal and are therefore unfortunately more susceptible to corrosion. Special care must be taken to ensure that the paint or coating does not become damaged over time.

• To keep these instruments in good condition, regular tongue drum care is important. Simply use a slightly damp cloth to clean the drum, then dry it and polish it with another soft, clean cloth.

• As with all musical instruments, regular maintenance is important for steel tongue drums to maintain the surface and sound quality. With oil and a suitable cloth, maintaining and protecting your instrument is child's play.

• Store the tongue drum in its carrying case if possible and keep it clean and dry. That's really all you need to do to prevent rust. Be especially careful if you live in a humid environment or near the coast.

Conclusion: How is a tongue drum made ?

So what makes tongue drums unique? In short, it's the combination of natural materials, simple, manual manufacturing and a peaceful sound. If you're looking for an instrument that's relaxing and beautiful to listen to, a tongue drum might be just the thing for you!

As a beginner, you should choose the D major scale. It is easier to learn and play on the steel tongue drum. Don't forget to take care of your tongue drum so that the instrument lasts for a long time.

If you want to know more about tongue drums, then take a look at the Sonodrum blog articles or special websites like this one . Have fun making music.