Collection: Sonodrums - Tongue Drum

Music is one of the oldest art forms on our planet. Along with drawings, paintings and stone carving, we have found music for thousands of years.

Our ancestors built instruments from logs, sticks, bamboo and even animal bones.

Even today we are still creative and find new ways to create beautiful melodies.

An example of a recently developed instrument is the tongue drum . Tongue drums are percussion instruments made from steel that have become increasingly popular since their invention in the late 2000s due to their ease of playability, relaxing sounds, portability, and unique UFO-like appearance .

There is also another version of the tongue drum that is made of wood. These tongue drums resemble long, rectangular boxes.

Tongue drums are beautiful instruments that can be played by anyone and can be found in many different settings, from the office of a music therapy or other genre therapist, to a yoga room, a classroom, or even a meditation session.

Learning to play the tongue drum is very easy. We want to convince you and show you how beautiful the tongue drum can sound.

We sell the Sonodrum , a steel tongue drum . Find out why this Sonodrum is so special and easy to use and why it is really worth enjoying the unique sound of the tongue drum . Enjoy reading!

What is a tongue drum

Musical percussion instruments can be divided into two main categories: membranophones and idiophones (also spelled idiophone) . The idiophone, from the Latin idio, "self", is an instrument that produces sounds on its own , as the instrument body as a whole vibrates or resonates, producing sounds - it is also called an "autophone"

This term refers to instruments made of rigid material, as opposed to string instruments (cordophones), membrane instruments (membraneophones) or wind instruments ( aerophones ).

The materials used are wood, bamboo, gourds or steel , but they are not limited, and it is not uncommon for idiophones to be made from unexpected materials such as shells or cans.

The tongue drum , also

• Armored drum
• Steel tongue drum or
• Tank drum

is a relatively new instrument. Tongue drums are similar to and inspired by other percussion instruments such as the whale drum, slit drum, hanging drum and tambiro drum.

Today, however, they are known as instruments in their own right, as they have become very popular in meditation music, sound therapy, and yoga practice.

The drums, which look a bit like pan UFOs, may not be from another planet, but the music they can produce is otherworldly!

Tongue drums are a great instrument for anyone who wants to get creative, enjoy beautiful melodies, jam, and relax.

They can be played by anyone of almost any age, so children benefit just as much (or more) from them as adults! The drum also fits in a smaller hand , or you can place the tongue drum on a surface in front of you.

If you would like to buy a tongue drum , then the time has come, because we are about to discuss the tongue drum test and how you can immediately start playing beautiful tongue drum songs using the tongue drum instructions .

Buying a tongue drum – what should you pay attention to?

There are several different types of tongue drums/ hand drums that differ in the material they are made from.

They can be made of steel, metal, alloy steel or wood. Metal, steel and alloy steel drums are the most similar in sound , size and shape.

The metal tongue drum is often provided with a corrosion-resistant coating that protects the drum from scratches.

Metal drums are also more customizable as they can be painted in different colors and have different designs.

The Sonodrum is made of high quality alloy steel and can be obtained in up to 14 colors, apart from different sizes and sound levels ( notes ). The steel tongue drum notes that are produced are very harmonious.

Wooden tongue drums, on the other hand, usually have a more natural look and are box-shaped rather than circular.

They can be made from many different types of wood, such as spruce, mahogany, cedar and others.

The artisans usually do not varnish the wood, but seal the drum with natural oils and beeswax to protect and enhance the natural beauty of the wood used.

When you decide to buy a tongue drum , you should watch/listen to different tongue drum YouTube videos and choose the one you like best .

Whether made of steel or wood, they all sound beautiful. You can find steel tongue drums at www.sonodrum.net - tongue drum wood - that's what Amazon tongue drums are for !

How to choose the right tongue drum

When choosing the right tongue drum, there are a few things to consider because there are so many products available .

First of all, the scale is an important feature to keep in mind when choosing the right tongue drum for you and your needs .

The scale determines the "feeling" or "emotion" - the "ambience" that can arise when playing the instrument. Tongue drums are available in the following common scales: pentatonic, diatonic, chromatic, E minor, C major or D major.

The most commonly purchased scales are the last two, which you can also find at Sonodrum.

However, there are more options than these, so it's important to do your research when you 're looking to purchase a steel tongue drum . There are a few general rules for judging scales:

• Major scales are generally considered uplifting and cheerful. For example, a C major scale is very cheerful.
• Minor or sharp scales, on the other hand, are considered darker, sad or thoughtful.
• A C sharp scale, for example, is considered very melancholic.

If you want to associate a specific mood or feeling with your tongue drum notes , you can use the guides above to choose the right drum.

If you don't, you can listen to tongue drum sheet music for free on YouTube videos. This way, you can choose a scale that suits you.

If you are stuck between the different scales and cannot decide which one to play, you may want to consider purchasing a tunable or double-sided tongue drum.

Some tunable tongue drums can play up to six scales through the use of powerful magnets. These drums can switch between scales in a matter of seconds, making them a great choice for anyone who enjoys experimenting with sounds and different tunings.

When you purchase a tunable tongue drum , it is important that you also purchase an electronic tuner to help you hit the right notes.

Of course, these purchases come at a price and as a beginner you may want to consider whether you would rather start with a " standard" tongue drum and percussion .

Product tips tongue drum:

1.       Pitch/Frequency - One characteristic of tongue drums is their pitch or frequency. Standard tunings include 432 Hz, 440 Hz and 444 Hz. If you are looking for calming or grounding tones, the lower pitch, 432 Hz, is best. 440 Hz is a standard tuning for musicians, so it is the best choice if you plan to play your sounds with other instruments . Finally, there is the higher pitch, 444 Hz. This pitch is uplifting and useful for releasing tension, so you will need to decide which pitch you want to start with when learning to tongue drum .
   
   
2.       Size - Another aspect to consider when choosing the right tongue drum is who you are buying it for. If you are a beginner or are buying a tongue drum for a beginner, a simple drum with fewer notes is a good choice! If you are buying a drum for a child, a small drum between 5 and 8 inches should be perfect. Drums can be anywhere from 5 to 20 inches in diameter , so it is important to pay attention to the size of the drum before buying. Weight is also something to consider, especially when buying steel tongue drums for kids . Lightweight drums are good for children and musicians who travel a lot and want to carry their drum often. Don't forget to give a tongue drum sheet music book as a gift if it is for someone who wants to learn with a steel tongue drum .
   
   
3.       Aesthetics - Another thing to consider when buying a tongue drum is aesthetics. There are many tongue drums that come in bright colors, with antique patinas, and even with beautiful and unique etched patterns on the top of the musical instruments . You can also find them in all black . Sometimes the steel tongues are even shaped and designed to create images like lotus flowers. Other drums have rope-decorated sides. This not only makes the tongue drums easier to hold, but also beautiful to look at even when not in use.

4.       New or used? - Finally, when buying a tongue drum for children or beginners, you should consider whether to buy it new or to opt for a used tongue drum instead . A lotus drum can last for years !

Tongue drum test – how good is our tongue drum

The steel tongue drum test by Fitforhobby has shown that the steel tongue drum test winner is Sonodrum - in terms of popularity. Buy the Sonodrum products without worry, because the references on Facebook or Instagram only refer positively to the articles on our site. But we'll tell you straight away why our drums have become so popular!

Sonodrum tongue drum – soothing sounds – easy to play

There are many different situations and reasons why one might want to play a tongue drum . Not only is it a great instrument, but it is also a means of finding inner peace.

Whether you're on your way to a jam session with friends or a therapy session with a doctor, you might come across the soothing, mystical sounds of a steel tongue drum. And as the tongue drum test winner, we're actually everywhere.

Our tongue drums are so popular because of their calming, peaceful tones. Their gentle melodies have branded them as a wellness instrument. The notes are very relaxing.

Therefore , tongue drums are a great musical accompaniment for meditation practice. Their pleasant and relaxing sounds create a calming environment.

The combination of meditation and tongue drumming can be very restorative. As you play the tongue drum , you should be able to align your breathing with the rich melody you are playing. When you play with intention, you can also breathe with intention.

The sounds are focal points for your attention, allowing you to concentrate as your mind and body relax and you lose yourself in the sounds of the drum.

The excellent quality of our products is another reason why our tongue drums have become so popular. They come in a set with mallets and a bag and you can always find offers in the shop on the website. Shipping is free.

While you meditate and play, you can also chant a mantra or harmonize with your voice. This type of meditation can bring you peace and enlightenment while you get to know yourself and the world around you better.

If you want to meditate with tongue drum music before investing in your own drum, there are plenty of free tongue drum songs available online .

Another way to free the mind and soul with our tongue drums is to incorporate them into yoga practice.

Listening to tongue drumming while doing yoga is beneficial for mental, physical and spiritual health.

As with meditation, tongue drumming in yoga practice helps improve conscious breathing and gives you a focus for your attention.

Further application – Chakra cleansing

Another way to use tongue drums is for chakra cleansing. Chakra cleansing is very popular with instruments such as Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks and now our tongue drum.

However, not all tongue drums are suitable for chakra cleansing. Most of the time, people buy a special chakra tongue drum that is specifically designed for chakra healing and cleansing.

To use a tongue drum for chakra cleansing, you should play the tone associated with each of the major chakras.

Please keep in mind that some chakras have two tones, so different scales can serve the same purpose. Here are the chakras and their corresponding tones:

• Sacral Chakra - C# or D
• Root Chakra - C
• Solar Plexus Chakra – D# or E
• Throat Chakra - G or G#
• Heart Chakra - F or F#
• Third Eye Chakra - A or A#
• Crown Chakra - B

To cleanse the chakras with a tongue drum , simply start on the C note of the drum and begin to meditate and focus on the location and well-being of your root chakra. Do this for each of the chakras in order from lowest to highest chakra.

Further application – music therapy

Another way to use our tongue drum is in music therapy . Music therapy and sound baths are practices that seem both ancient and modern at the same time. Sound baths, for example, although their exact origins are unknown, have been used in many different cultures since ancient times. Scientists and researchers have now developed a better understanding of how sound and vibrations can improve our lives. Certain vibrations can elicit physical and emotional responses.

Some vibrations, for example, can “entrain” the brain. The frequency of the instrument and our brain waves can synchronize, leading to better concentration and relaxation.

There are two types of music therapy: receptive music therapy and active music therapy.

• In receptive music therapy, the tongue drum is played to the patient. While listening, the patient may be asked to meditate, focus on something specific, or close their eyes.
  
  This type of therapy helps improve overall mood, reduce stress, anxiety and pain, and promote relaxation.
  
  
• In active music therapy, however, the client plays the tongue drum .
  
  This can also contribute to relaxation, but with the added advantage that the patient participates. For this reason, tongue drumming can also be integrated into other forms of therapy.

Playing the tongue drum can help the patient improve their coordination, overcome physical difficulties, promote self-expression, and give them greater confidence in their abilities. The soothing sounds of our tongue drums also make them an excellent choice for children and adults with special needs, such as autistics who are sensitive to loud or abrupt sounds.

Further application-new musical compositions

Finally, our tongue drums can also be used for new musical creations and are great for jam sessions or drum circles. As mentioned, the complementary scale of the tongue drums ensures that no "bad" note can be played!

This makes it a great instrument to get creative, create new beats and have a lot of fun.

How do you play a tongue drum?

As easy as it is to play the tongue drum , you should follow our guide. Here are the steps you should take if you want to master this type of music. Not that it's difficult, but it's important nonetheless.

1. Choosing a tongue drum

Luckily, our website makes this easy for you without even having to leave your house.

2. Learn the notes

A tongue drum is a scaled instrument – ​​that is, you can play notes with it (unlike a regular drum).

Each tongue is responsible for playing a specific note . The number of tongues can vary between different models. You can find models with different numbers of tongues at Sonodrum.

It is very helpful that on many drums the shape of each tongue is unique; they are also marked on Sonodrum. This makes it easier to assign the notes to the corresponding tongues when learning .

3. Choose your technique

Technique is important because if you control your movements, you can also control your timing.

It is much easier to play the song at the right tempo if you don't waste seconds trying to remember which tongue is responsible for the right note, or whether it is better to play a certain note with the ball of your finger, or delicately with the tip of your finger, or harder with your knuckle.

Or with mallets: This method is also popular because mallets provide a different feel, a different touch and ultimately a different sound.

4. Search for the music

Since each tongue drum model is unique, it comes with a songbook .

Each tongue drum comes with a beginner's songbook, a pair of 2 mallets and a stylish premium carrying bag .

You can also find the Sonodrum group on social media, which deals with the same model and where customers can share their own recordings and song notations.

Last but not least: Experiment and find your own notes and songs!

Conclusion tongue drum

You have now found out everything about the interesting subject of tongue drums and we hope you are keen to try one out. It is a new and exciting hobby!

FAQ about the tongue drum