Percussion instruments, such as sound drums , are among the most original and elementary forms of music and are an umbrella term for all instruments that belong to the effect and percussion instruments.
Using an instrument has many positive effects - it strengthens your memory, promotes self-esteem and expands your social circle. But what kind of musical instrument can you start with without having to have any prior theoretical knowledge? How about a sound drum , i.e. a tongue drum, a handpan or a kalimba? Are these musical instruments different from one another or are they perhaps even the same? What types of sound drum instruments are there?
The way in which sound drum instruments are played depends on regional conditions. In general, percussion instruments include all instruments that make a sound when scratched, shaken or struck. Percussion music is used in pop music, meditation, in classical orchestras or simply played for fun. Sound drums are one of them and today we will focus on the handpan as a sound drum . It has a lot in common with the tongue drum and the kalimba. All three could be described as the most popular sound drums .
Percussive effects have been used in almost all musical genres since the 20th century, where they serve as a special means of expression. Music calms people and gives them security. Listening to music can have an enormously relaxing effect on the body and soul, especially slow, gentle and meditative music. Whether it is a handpan, a tongue drum or a kalimba, by playing these sound drums you can achieve an immediate drop in your stress level. Stay tuned, because it will be very interesting again!
What is a sound drum
There is no direct definition for a sound drum . However, it can be differentiated from conventional drums, which are more like musical instruments that are only associated with a certain pitch and a muted sound.
A sound drum produces different sounds and pitches that are created by its resonance body. It can therefore be used not only as an accompanying instrument, but also as a stand-alone solo instrument for appealing sound compositions.
Traditional drums, on the other hand, are membranophones, which require a stretched drum membrane to produce sound. They are more of an instrument for rhythms and effects - to accompany other instruments.
A sound drum instrument can emphasize the sound on its own and has a longer sustain than a normal drum. It is therefore not a membranophone, but a so-called idiophone, i.e. a self-sounding musical instrument that produces sound through the body, like the tongue drum, the handpan and the kalimba can do. All of these instruments are idiophones. This is why a sound drum is often called a hank . Or the sound drum/metal drums become a synonym.
Let’s take a look at the following two from the sound drum / metal drum category.
Handpan - sound drum / metal drums with lots of sound and easy to learn
Hank sound drum , UFO drum - all these names refer to the handpan, a relatively new family of percussion instruments that have a unique, hypnotic sound. You can find them on the Sonodrum site in high quality and at a fair price.
These curved metal drums, which come in a variety of shapes, sizes and tunings, produce soft, pleasant tones when played with both hands. The modern handpan is closely related to the traditional Caribbean steel drum or steel pan
Since its invention in 2000, the Hank sound drum has undergone numerous changes and aroused widespread interest, leading to the development of other similar instruments belonging to the handpan family. Today, there are well over 300 handpan manufacturers worldwide, and each offers a slightly different product.
The handpan only has a certain number of notes and is therefore a simple musical instrument that is quick to learn. The notes belong together, are close to each other, the sound fields are a practical size and the normal striking techniques are simple. For these reasons, the handpan is very easy to learn.
Tongue drum - sound drum / metal drums with tongues
The tongue drum or steel tongue drum is a musical instrument from the family of percussion instruments and in particular the idiophones, whose sound comes from the materials used to make them. Maracas, cymbals and the xylophone also belong to the idiophones.
The tongue drum consists of two convex metal shells made of steel, copper or bronze that are welded together to form a UFO-shaped instrument. One of the two sides has tongue-shaped cutouts of different sizes (hence the name tongue drum). A few tongue drums have tongues on both sides.
Each tongue corresponds to a musical note that can be played by striking it directly with the hands/fingers, with a mallet or with silicone finger protectors. A hole is drilled into one of the two bowls, usually the lower one, which has no tongues cut into it, so that the body of the tongue drum can act as a resonator.
Buying a sound drum - what should you pay attention to?
The metal sound drums we present allow you to make music in a variety of ways and in a flexible way. Their sounds transport you to distant realms and provide a pleasant, relaxed feeling. But what should you consider when you buy a sound drum, such as the handpan? Here are a few tips on this topic:
The right sound
The ideal sound is important and depends on personal preference. When choosing the right sound drum for your purposes, you should consider the size, type and material of the instrument. Each of these features can have a significant effect on the sound of the sound drum. If you get the chance, try out the sound drum or listen to videos of it before buying.
Constitution
Check the condition of the sound box and the metal. If the components of the sound drum are in poor condition, do not buy the used instrument (tongue drum or hand drum) under any circumstances. Look for visible cracks in the drum casing.
Dents and small cracks, even if they look ugly, usually do not affect the sound of the sound drum. Although you may observe color changes on the sound drum, these changes do not affect the sound!
Essential materials
An important criterion when choosing a sound drum is the material used. Some sound drums can be specially designed for different needs. They are intended for players with smaller, more sensitive hands (including children), while others are suitable for different types of striking.
Consideration of personal concerns
Aside from the look, materials and construction of the sound drum, it is important that the instrument actually meets your needs. For drums that are set up and used outdoors, a more robust and durable material should be chosen. For a handpan or tongue drum that is used indoors, you can be less picky, as the majority of materials are well suited for indoor use.
Sound drum test - how good is our sound drum
Let's just take a look at the reviews of the reed, kalimba and handpan instruments in the Sonodrum shop in Germany to convince ourselves of the quality and successful test results of Sonodrum.
- Ashley S. wrote : “Great handpan. It's perfectly tuned! Can't wait to play songs on it.”
- Or Ildiko A. noted about the tongue drum: "I received my tongue drum very quickly and the two have been inseparable ever since. It is a beautiful, high-quality instrument with a fantastic sound! Its medium size and the bag it comes with mean that you can easily take it anywhere. The information and music booklets provide a quick introduction to using it and learning smaller songs. I can recommend the drum regardless of age, and I wish everyone the fun and happiness that this great musical instrument brings..."
You will get a lot of use out of a Sonodrum because you are buying a hand-made percussion instrument made of the highest quality materials
Differences between a sound drum and a tongue drum
Basically, sound drums are handpans and tongue drums. So, what could be a good alternative to a handpan? Clearly: a tongue drum.
The tongue drum differs from other sound drums such as the handpan in the following characteristics:
- Sound characteristics
- Possibility of easy transport
- production
- Cost
- measures and weight
The sound body of a tongue drum is made of steel, just like that of a handpan. A tongue drum has steel tongues instead of sound fields.
Tongue drums are much more robust than a handpan and you can play them with mallets. Tongue drums are also less likely to go out of tune, although they may be exposed to direct sunlight or extreme cold. A handpan, on the other hand, may go out of tune due to fluctuations in temperature.
You can also buy steel tongue drums in various shapes, colors and sizes. Handpans are not available in small models. The steel tongue drums in small sizes can be ideal for small children's hands!
And another advantage of the tongue drum: the size and the lighter production are also reflected in the price. Therefore, there are very inexpensive models of tongue drums that are also suitable for children to start making music.
Advantages of the sound drum
Sound drums can have beneficial effects on health and help with many ailments: stress, fatigue and anxiety, for example. But the relaxing sounds are also said to be beneficial for asthma, chronic pain, high blood pressure, mental disorders, addiction, arthritis and even cancer. Below are some of the benefits of playing music with a sound drum:
- It makes you happy : Take part in a sound drum circle and you will notice how much it makes you happy. When you drum, endorphins, alpha waves and enkephalins are released in the brain. All of these substances are associated with a general feeling of well-being and positive life energy.
- It puts you in the moment : When you play a sound drum, you align your conscious experience with the flow of life. As you drum to the beat of life, the past is no longer an issue and the future is no reason to worry.
- It promotes deep relaxation : In one study, blood samples from participants who took part in a one-hour drumming session showed a reduction in negative stress hormones.
- It helps to control chronic pain : Playing music can certainly serve as a kind of distraction from the pain. It also promotes the production of endorphins and endogenous opioids, the body's own morphine-like painkillers.
- Playing sound drums frees you from bad feelings : The act of playing music can be a form of personal expression. When you play drums, you can literally let your emotions out. If negative feelings are held inside the body, they can form energetic barriers. The physical stimulation provided by playing drums can help to release these blockages.
Product tips sound drum
Sound drums are suitable for all age groups. But which handpan, tongue drum or kalimba should you buy?
- Since handpans, kalimbas and tongue drums are easy to learn , they are suitable for all age groups, except for infants and babies. Even for people with an exhausting working life, these wonderful sound drums can be integrated into the daily routine as a quiet and meditative highlight. With just a little time investment, people can play wonderful, individual melodies on the sound drum.
- Handpans and tongue drums are ideal for the smallest musicians among us.
- It is a great musical instrument for improvising . This is due to the relatively small number of notes that fit together perfectly. The melodies and powerful sounds create entire sound worlds that take you away from your everyday life. It is easy to improvise. You don't have to wait for musical success.
- When you travel, you can always take your handpan, kalimba or tongue drum with you . This would not be possible with a piano. The sound drums are small enough to be carried in a suitable bag.
- The sound drum is a special and wonderful musical instrument. It is not yet known everywhere. It allows you to surprise people. By playing a sound drum you put a smile on people's faces and inspire them with your creativity.
No matter which sound drum you choose, each of these products produces magical sounds.
How do you play a sound drum?
A sound drum instrument can be played easily with the fingers or hands - and a handpan or tongue drum can be played quickly with a "thumb throw" or powerfully and loudly with the clap of the palm or fist.
The term "sound drum notes" can refer to the sound fields on the tongue drum or handpan. For each of the sound drum models, only a specific selection of notes from a scale is available for use. Usually, these are five to seven notes from a scale, distributed across six to eight sound fields or tongues ("notes"). Custom-made instruments can also have more than ten sound fields/tongues or metal rods (kalimba).
There are special music books (also available from Sonodrum) that convert normal music notes into numbers that correspond to the sound fields on the sound drum. This makes playing music child's play. You can immediately play popular songs by numbers.
Sonodrum sound drum - soothing sounds and easy to play
You should know that the sound drum is very easy to play and master, unlike other musical instruments, for which you always need a special technique and countless hours of practice. To be able to play a tongue drum, a handpan or a kalimba, you should master two things:
- Striking technique and
- Rhythm.
These two skills are the two most important components of learning the sound drum. For people with no previous musical knowledge, the sound drum is therefore the perfect musical instrument.
The sound of a sound drum is mysterious, beguiling and so distinctive that many people are enthusiastic about it. Almost everyone responds extremely positively to the music of the sound drum. And you can relax wonderfully. Harmonious tones are good for your health and have a positive effect on your body.
Ancestral cultures around the world already knew that sounds have healing properties. It is particularly important to find the right sound vibrations. Sound therapy or " sound healing " are general terms for a group of various therapy methods for relaxation that have to do with sound vibrations.
With a sound drum, you can treat yourself or your loved ones to a profound relaxation break. Even indigenous peoples knew that harmonious sounds and moods can maintain or regain the balance between mind, body and soul.
Conclusion Sound Drum
Sound drums have existed for thousands of years and are not going to die out any time soon. Playing sound drums is simply fun, it promotes creativity and can even contribute to social participation. In addition, there is no specific age limit for playing with sound drums.
Both adults and young children and teenagers can improve their lives by playing these sound drums. Why is that? There are numerous health benefits associated with drumming, which are explained in detail in the article. As with all things, there are pros and cons that you need to consider and weigh up so that you can find the right instrument for you.
This statement applies to all sound drums and especially to the tongue drum, which comes in many different designs, and to the handpan, which is more expensive than other sound drums. Play various videos on YouTube to be able to choose the instrument with the most beautiful sound for your taste.
This is our personal opinion on sound drums: If you are buying a tongue drum for the first time, we recommend a device with at least eight notes (seven tongues) and a maximum of ten tongues. In our opinion, these instruments have the best relationship between possible uses and sound quality if you are new to the field of sound drums or if you want to make a child happy. You cannot make wrong notes with a sound drum , so just play and have fun!
Sound Drum FAQs
What else do you call a sound drum?
Before buying any sound drum, you can think about which one suits you best. The most common sound drums are the handpan, the tongue drum and the kalimba.
What does a sound drum look like
The most common form in the Western musical tradition is a cylinder drum, although goblet-shaped shells are also used, especially for hand drums, or they have a UFO-shaped appearance. Sound drums are usually made of steel, except for the kalimba, which is made of wood but uses metal sticks. We know timpani as hand drums.
How much does a sound drum cost
It depends very much on what type of sound drum you want to choose. There are sound drums that cost less than €50, and on the other hand there are handpans that can cost more than €3,000.
How do you play a sound drum?
Most of the time, the sound drum is struck with fingers, the hand or certain parts of the hand. You can also use various mallets with rubber or foam heads.
What types of sound drums are there?
The sound drum is an idiophone, a class of musical instrument in which a solid, resonant material - such as metal, wood, or stone - vibrates to produce the initial sound. The eight basic types of sound production are concussion, percussion, friction, punching, plucking, shaking, scraping, and stomping. In many cases, such as the gong, the vibrating material itself forms the body of the instrument. Other examples include kalimbas, xylophones and rattles, Jew's harps, handpans, and tongue drums.
How do you hold a sound drum?
This depends very much on the dimensions of the sound drum. It is usually held in the hand or on the lap. There are also special stands on which you can play it standing up (handpan). In any case, care must be taken not to block the resonance hole on the bottom.
