Collection: Steel tongue drum

Whether you are musically experienced or not, a steel tongue drum is definitely one of the instruments you should try. This beautiful sounding but easy to play instrument is suitable for everyone.

It does not require years of training or thousands of euros , as is the case with hanging drums.

Steel tongue drums aren't electronic instruments , but they're pretty epic, so we wanted to share a guide about them.

What makes tongue drums so great are the effects anyone can feel when playing them or listening to their peaceful melodies. Whether you're a beginner, hobbyist, or professional musician, playing a steel tongue drum can unleash creativity , boost concentration, and reduce anxiety and stress.

Steel tongue drums are great for meditation , yoga , and even emotional healing.

Whether you purchase a lotus drum from an artisan or an online manufacturer, know that you are investing in more than just a simple instrument: it is an opportunity to relax, play, and reconnect with yourself .

Instead of having to learn music theory to harmonize notes and chords, as is the case with many other melodic instruments, you can focus on rhythm patterns and subtleties of dynamics (soft, loud, tone, texture) at the same time, often without even realizing it! Learning to play the steel tongue drum is easier than you might think!

As a result, your playing will develop quality and character, telling stories or writing songs with all of these qualities will come easily, and jamming with other musicians will become accessible. You will find that your new hobby has a unique quality that matches your personal expression.

Get a steel tongue drum and start playing today!

What is a steel tongue drum

Steel tongue drum
The tongue drum is a percussion instrument from the family of idiophones, meaning that the material from which the instrument is made also produces the sound itself.

In the case of the steel tongue drum, it is steel . They can also be found in bamboo, wood or other materials such as shells or washed-up wood.

It has no strings, a membrane or an external resonator to produce sounds. Other names for this instrument are tank drum, hank drum or steel tongue drum .

The steel tongue drum notes are produced by vibrations in the body of the instrument.

It resembles a flying saucer and has a unique, pleasant timbre created by striking a “tongue ”.

The number of tongues varies depending on the instrument, with each one producing a different note . It all started in 2007. Inspired by the hang drum and some other instruments such as the whale drum and the tambiro/ hand drum , Dennis Havlena invented this amazing instrument more than ten years ago .

Steel tongue drums are typically smaller but heavier than handpans . They are made of thicker steel and have a much longer reverberation than a handpan . They have a meditative sound but are less suitable for fast, percussive playing.

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

You will discover the beauty of this drum if you want to buy a steel tongue drum and you are more interested in the subject or already have experience playing it.

As you have noticed, it is quite obvious that these instruments have a more stylish look compared to their percussion family, the hand drums. However, if you are going to buy this steel tongue drum, you should familiarize yourself with its sound.

You can enjoy steel tongue drum sheet music for free from the dealer or online. Some may think that it is a cheaper version of the tongue drum that has the same features.

While it has the same playing features and looks, it differs in the sound it produces. Watch steel tongue drum YouTube video to appreciate the intricacies of the tongue drum .

Children , adults, beginners and advanced learners alike can engage with it and benefit from the relaxing sounds!

There are extra small drums that fit in the hands of the drummers, the mini versions. So size plays an important role when you buy a steel tongue drum . It depends on who the drum is for. It also makes a great gift - Christmas is coming!

A steel tongue drum has a resonance and sound spectrum that produces unique beats with a spring sound effect when struck with the fingertips.

It can actually produce sound frequencies when played, producing a more traditional vibrating sound.

Like the timpani, it was also played using notes ( more or less 8 notes ) in which you can play the low and high notes . The key thing to consider when buying is the scale you are looking for. Should it be C major or D major ?

Our Steel Pan is available in both versions and also in different sizes and colors .

Product tips steel tongue drum:

Appearance and rust resistance

Usually, the steel tongue drums were built using a tank barrel in which these instruments are prone to rust. However, the manufacturers have found an innovative solution to make these instruments rust-proof through color painting and design. This way, you can protect your musical instrument without worrying about its finish. However, as a preventive measure, you should still keep it away from wet, humid and hot areas to maintain its sound quality and appearance.

The situation is different with Sonodrun products . They are made of high-quality steel and an elegant matt and scratch-resistant coating.

Instrument for meditation

Meditation steel tongue drum

We've all heard of meditation, and maybe you've tried it too.

You may not have known that playing an instrument is also a form of meditation, especially when the steel tongue drum instruction is given with that intention and refined in a personal practice.

Steel tongue drums are used by sound healers, yoga instructors, music therapists and teachers . Sonodrum drums can be used in combination with other instruments such as singing bowls, tablas, gongs, didgeridoos and chimes.

They also combine well with a variety of other instruments such as tanpura, n'goni harps and harmoniums. There are special steel tongue drum songs for this .

Sound healing is rooted in ancient traditions in many cultures, taking the form of a personal spiritual practice or a group ceremony.

Back then, steel tongue drums were wooden variants. Today, especially in Western culture, accreditations and standards of practice have been developed based on these traditions due to the countless health benefits many have experienced through the various forms of treatment.

Good to start with music

We think having a gateway instrument to more musical experiences is a good thing. The physical, emotional and spiritual benefits that come from developing a relationship with making music are endless.

The versatility and playability of a steel tongue drum allows you to quickly expand your ability to translate emotions into rhythm and melody.

Additionally, your mastery of many instruments and musical styles can lead to musical collaboration in the form of jamming or recording your instrument to mix it with other instruments to create a track.

A tongue drum can even be connected to the drum kit . The steel tongue drum children's version can train musical creativity from an early age.

Steel tongue drum new or used?

Also look for a used steel tongue drum - for beginners or children - or a very cheap steel tongue drum Amazon item so that you don't have to make a large purchase right away. After you have learned and experimented with the tongue drum, you can switch to a new product from Sonodrum or ask for it as a gift.

How many tones should there be?

Even with 8 notes, there are enough notes in our scales that when combined in slightly different orders or even played with a different rhythm , offer a wide variety of feelings, moods or “vibes,” keeping things exciting.

Download steel tongue drum songs for free and play them.

You will also receive a free steel tongue drum music book with every order from Sonodrum!

Steel tongue drum test – how good is our steel tongue drum

You can find out about some tests on the Internet. Take a look at the steel tongue drum test on this site: fitforhohhy.de, because there our tongue drum was rated as the most popular drum in Germany! And why has it become so popular in 2021 ? Here are the advantages of the Sonodrum steel tongue drum, because we are the steel tongue drum test winner in many respects .

Sonodrum steel tongue drum soothing sounds – easy to play

  • Our steel tongue drum has particularly soothing sounds because it is based on the C and D major scales.

  • Not only that, but the range of tones and sounds possible on a sododrum is limitless. Most tongue drum players prefer to play with their hands as this offers the greatest variety of sounds. This is because the versatility of the human hand allows for more complexity by playing chords with two fingers at once and using more dynamics. The fingertips, for example, can produce a wide range of sounds that are very different from those produced by the sides of the fingers, the knuckles or the palms of the hands.

  • The mallets that come with each drum produce a completely different sound and sustain (how long the sound lasts) than the hands.

  • Each order also includes a high-quality , lightweight bag that is color-coordinated with the steel tongue drum. This is another reason why the steel tongue drum test turned out so well for us.

  • Shipping at Sonodrum is free and the shop is easy to navigate.

  • Even after your purchase , our customer service team will be at your side to manage any questions or doubts.
You can ask about the steel tongue drum test winner, how best to start learning the steel tongue drum and how you can play additional steel tongue drum notes. Our support team is simply great and customers really appreciate that!

    How to play a steel tongue drum?

    When you first get your tongue drum, you will need to familiarize yourself with the instrument and get used to holding and playing it. To do this, you can follow this guide:

    1. Play the entire scale , starting with the lowest note and moving up to the highest note. You can also go back in the scale when you're finished.
    2. Play all the notes in a circular order , starting at any note.
    3. Only play certain notes based on their position. For example, only play notes on the left or right side of the drum. Or only play notes on the top or bottom side of the drum.
    4. Create patterns and chords. Try playing notes in a certain pattern or playing two notes at once. Experiment with different melodies and sounds.
    5. Find two notes that complement each other. When they are played at the same time, it is called a chord. Play the chord repeatedly and follow it with another chord. Experiment with the force. Try playing the drum gently at first and then a little harder. Vary the amount of force as you play.
    6. In the beginning, experimentation is key! Have fun, make noise and explore your new instrument. Practice a little every day and eventually you will be able to follow drum patterns and notes and even create your own compositions!

    Conclusion Steel Tongue Drum

    Steel tongue drum

    As we have explained, the steel tongue drum is a fascinating musical instrument that you can take anywhere and which will also help you to relax, which is important in our hectic times.

    As a beginner, you can get started right away, and that's the beauty of it - you don't need any previous musical knowledge.

    This makes the steel tongue drum your ideal companion.

    FAQ about steel tongue drum

    A steel tongue drum is an instrument, although it is not a drum by definition. However, it is an instrument in the percussion family and produces sounds that are produced on the tongues in the upper part of the steel shell.

    The best steel tongue drum is the one that allows you to produce the most beautiful sounds. At Sonodrum, we like these the most because of their versatility: Sonodrum Tongue Drum - "Premium" - Handmade - 33 cm - 15 tongues - D major

    Each note flows seamlessly together in harmony, making it a very simple instrument to pick up and play even without any knowledge of music theory or experience playing an instrument. It is important to know that tongue drums can also be played in different scales.

    A good steel tongue drum can be very expensive. You can find tongue drums between €60 and €1,500. At Sonodrum there are always offers, so the best drums that are of excellent quality can cost up to €200 (if you get a deal).

    Each tongue is tuned to a specific note. The weight, width and length of the tongue determine the sound and pitch of the note. To play a note, you have to strike a tongue with your fingers, hands or a mallet. The drum itself amplifies the sound and emits it through the slots in the steel tongues

    Steel tongue drums are available in many different sizes, from mini to standard to premium. We offer the following sizes/diameters in our shop: 14 cm, 20 cm, 33 cm and 35.6 cm. They are often given in inches on the internet.

    Most steel tongue drums have a range of eight or eleven notes, and while the traditional bell-like sound can't be beat, this slight expansion of the drum's range gives it a unique range of notes for the player to experiment with.

    As a beginner, you should first practice on a simple model and then move on to complex versions.