BEST STEEL TONGUE DRUM COLLECTION FOR YOU

Tongue drums are also known as tank drums, log drums, and tone drums. Only recently has the tongue drum become more popular than the tank drum, and the tongue drum has become so popular that it has surpassed the "Handpan."

• What does a tongue drum do?

A steel tongue drum is a musical instrument, although it is not, by definition, a drum. However, it is a member of percussion instruments. It can produce notes in the slits at the top of the steel shell.

• Why is it a tongue drum?

It's called this because the notes come from slits in the steel shaped very much like a tongue. You can play it with fingers or mallets to produce different notes.

• Where did the drum originate?

Steel tongue drum origin:

Tongue drums have existed for a long time if you consider the wooden drums created by the Aztecs, namely the tone drums or log drums. Another is the slit drum of African. Modern steel tongue drums are developed from these drums.

• Who invented the drum?

Dennis Havlena invented the drum as we now know it, drawing his inspiration from the Hang™ and others.

• When was the drum invented?

In 2007, Dennis Havlena created the first steel tongue drum called the "hank drum."

Tongue drums can be played by hand or with mallets/sticks.

• Mallets or sticks

The mallets bounce off the drum easily, making the sound clearer, deeper, and more resonant. Your tongue drum will sound louder.

• Hands

It's much more challenging to play the tongue drum with your hands. Accessories such as rubber fingerpicks, finger covers, or finger knobs can help. These accessories add loudness, agility, versatility, and freedom. Finger picks can prevent finger injuries and soreness.

When playing tongue drums, you can put the drum on your lap. Placing the lowest notes closest to your body makes drumming easier.

Ensure the manufacturer recommends them if you use a stand or play the drum on a table or floor.

• Beginners

Play the drum's entire scale from the lowest notes to the highest notes. You can also go back down the scale after playing it.

Play all the steel tongue drum notes in a loop.

Play only specific notes. For example, play the right or left notes. Or, play the bottom or top notes. Create patterns and chords.

Patterns: play notes in a specific pattern, or play two notes at once. Use different sounds and melodies.

Chords: Play two notes at the same time that complement each other. Play it repeatedly and then use different chords.

Play the drums using different strengths. Play the drums gently first, then a bit harder.

• Advanced

Play with both the mallets and your hands.

Use your fingers to diminish the notes.

Jam the drum with something soft to shorten or diminish all the notes and play a faster melody.

Use mallets. Alternate between plain wooden sticks or rubber or felt mallets. If you have no access to rubber mallets, add rubber bands to the mallets to make your own.

Follow drumming patterns and sheet music.

Watch YouTube and play steel tongue drum songs.

LumBuy is an e-commerce company that focuses on high-quality products. We have the strictest supplier selection criteria and will only select 5-star products with an excellent reputation, where you can shop with confidence and buy the best products.

• Best Brands

Pearl

Unknown

Lexington

HAPI

Ohuhu

Meinl

VIVOHOME

Amahi Ukuleles

Rav Vast

MI&VI

GUDA DRUM

Moukey

Nataraj

Beat Root

AKLOT

LEKATO

OcarinaWind

MEINL Sonic Energy

LOLUNUT

FOUR UNCLES

Hantop

Rakumi

Yinama

PICKMAY

GRACEOFNOTE

LOTKEY

IPHUNGO

AS TEMAN

REEKIO

KosmoskyDrum

Hluru

Drume Hand

Before buying it, you need to consider these things.

• Tone Scales

The scale determines the "feel" or "mood." Popular scales are Pentatonic, Diatonic, Chromatic, C Major, E Minor, or Akebono. Of course, there are other options.

Major scales are more exhilarating and joyful. For example, the C major scale is very upbeat.

The minor/sharp scale is considered to be darker and sad. For example, the C sharp scale is considered to be very melancholy.

The Akebono scale has a more meditative or Zen-like tone.

If you don't know which scales to choose, perhaps you can purchase a double-sided or tunable tongue drum. Some tunable tongue drums have six scales. They can change scales in seconds. You'll also need to buy an electronic tuner.

• Pitch/Frequency

Standard tunings have 440 Hz, 432 Hz, and 444 Hz.

For calmer notes and lower pitches, 432 Hz is recommended.

440 Hz is for musicians. It is best if played with other instruments.

444 Hz helps release tension.

• Aesthetics

Many tongue drums are available in different colors and unique etchings. The sides of some are decorated with string. The shape of the tongue can be different, such as a lotus flower, which is called a lotus drum.

• For who?

For a beginner, simple drums with fewer notes are recommended!

A 5 to 8-inch steel tongue drum is recommended for a child.

• Size

Mini steel tongue drum can be as small as 5 inches and as large as 20 inches in diameter, so it's essential to pay attention to the size before buying.

• Weight

Weight is another thing to keep in mind. Lighter-weight drums are suitable for children and musicians who often carry drums.

This method is only suitable for steel drums. We recommend steel tongue drums because tuning them is easier and more accurate. First of all, "magnetic" tuning is much more accurate. Secondly, this method does not damage the instrument. Finally, you can easily tune in a matter of seconds.

• Step 1: Prepare

To do the tuning, you will need the following things.

- Steel tongue drums.

- Neodymium magnets.

- A tuning app on your smartphone.

• Step 2: Paste the magnets

Open the drum from the bottom and attach the magnet to the drum leaf. It only takes a few seconds to complete the two steps.

• Step 3: Adjusting the leaves

It is similar to tuning a guitar.

The difference is that you move the magnets around inside the drum.

It would help if you placed the magnets in the horizontal center of each leaf.

It would help if you moved them up and down to adjust them, not left and right.

You move the magnets and bump the leaves until your application shows the desired result.

Yes, you can play it with your hands. Tongue drums can be played by hand or with mallets/sticks.

• Hands

It's much more challenging to play the tongue drum with your hands. Accessories such as rubber fingerpicks, finger covers, or finger knobs can help. These accessories add loudness, agility, versatility, and freedom. Finger picks can prevent finger injuries and soreness.

• Mallets or sticks

The mallets bounce off the drum easily, making the sound clearer, deeper, and more resonant. Your tongue drum will sound louder.

To read beginner steel tongue drum sheet music, please go to https://www.shantibowl.com/blogs/blog/tongue-drums-complete-guide.

• How many steel tongue drum notes & sizes?

They have various sizes and notes. The most common are 6 inches (8 notes), 10 inches (11 notes), 12 inches (13 notes), or 14 inches (15 notes).

• What size is best?

They are available in many different sizes. Which size you choose depends on your preference.

In general, small drums are suitable for children. Of course, smaller drums boast fewer notes. If you are an adult, you may need a larger drum.

A small tongue drum for beginners costs $100. A top-of-the-line Rav Vast Drum costs $1,000.

We have analyzed the advantages and disadvantages.

• Steel Tongue Drum vs. Handpan(Hang Drum) -Tongue Drum

Pros

- Low cost (1/3 the price of a Handpan/hang drum)

- Very sturdy

- It does not run out of tune

- It can be used with mallets or hands

- -10 to +45 degrees

- Smaller

- Resonance is longer

- Meditative sound

Cons

- Not suitable for fast, punchy playing

- Not as loud as a Handpan(hang drum)

- Smaller notes

- Heavier

• Steel Tongue Drum vs. Handpan(Hang Drum) - Handpan

Pros

- "Magic" sound

- Larger sound range

- Easier to play

- Suitable for fast playing

- Bigger sound than tongue drums

- Stainless steel material does not rust

- More materials, scales, and types

Cons

- Expensive

- More sensitive

- It goes out of tune faster

- Must be retuned every 1-6 years

- Non-stainless steel will rust

- Sensitive to heat (sun)