What’s the Right Price for a Tongue Drum?

Are you thinking of buying a tongue drum soon? Not sure what you can get for your budget? How much should you spend on an instrument like this?

As an enthusiast who’s been passionate about this soothing instrument for over 5 years, I’ve researched just about every option on the market. That way, I can help you figure out whether the steel tongue drum you’re considering is priced fairly.

The price of a tongue drum ranges from a few dozen Australian dollars to several hundred. The size of the instrument, the number of tongues, the materials used, and the inclusion of accessories all influence the final cost.

So, by the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly:

• The different factors that affect the cost of a tongue drum
• Which tongue drum you can afford with a budget of less than A$170, between A$170 and A$840, or more than A$840

You’ll then have a solid idea of the type of hank drum you can afford based on the amount you want to invest. That makes it much easier to tell whether your budget truly matches the model you’re looking for.

Let’s take a look at what affects the value of a tongue drum.

What influences the price of a tongue drum?

When it comes to tongue drums, the main factor that determines the price of this instrument is its diameter. The smallest tongue drums measure less than 10 cm in diameter and can be purchased for under A$50, while the largest ones—40 cm or more—typically won’t be found for less than A$500. In reality, the number of notes or tongues doesn’t change the price nearly as much. A 30 cm tongue drum with 9 or 15 tongues will cost almost the same, since it’s not very difficult for manufacturers to add a few extra cuts to the top shell.

The materials used also affect the final price of this percussion instrument. Steel remains the most common and least expensive material. Next comes a steel and titanium alloy, which is designed to make the tongue drum more impact-resistant. The most expensive are those made of copper, as this metal costs almost 10 times more than basic steel. Copper is also much softer, which gives it different acoustic characteristics, with gentler tones than its steel counterpart. Finally, some makers apply a nitriding treatment, which introduces nitrogen into the metal’s surface. This boosts hardness and corrosion resistance, but it also raises the price.

Accessories—whether included or optional—will only slightly affect the total cost. A pair of mallets and note stickers are usually included, while silicone finger protectors, a printed instruction booklet (sometimes in French), or a stand to hold your tongue drum can bump the price up a bit. The brand name on the tongue drum can also significantly increase the price, which isn’t necessarily a sign of better quality.

What kind of tongue drum can you buy for A$170?

For around A$170, you can get a tongue drum up to 20 cm in diameter with around ten tongues. These instruments will probably be made of basic steel or a steel and titanium alloy. Copper tongue drums, if you can find them, are likely to be smaller. You’ll have access to both diatonic models for playing sheet music and pentatonic models for playing more intuitively. Helpful accessories are usually included to make learning easier. For a first introduction to the tongue drum or a model designed for children, this budget is reasonable. However, you’ll inevitably need to spend more for a larger tongue drum.

Is a budget of between A$170 and A$840 sufficient for this musical instrument?

If you can invest up to A$840 in your tongue drum, you’ll have a very comfortable budget and plenty of options. For starters, you can secure models up to 35 cm in diameter, which is an ideal size for hobbyist musicians. The number of tongues will be much higher, and you’ll be able to find instruments with 15 notes or more. With this type of tank drum, most sheet music you come across will be playable. If you prefer a more instinctive, “play-by-feel” approach, some models tuned in D minor can be incredible. You can see an example in the video below:

This budget also lets you be more demanding if you’re after a specific key or frequency, including your first options tuned to 432 Hz. The same goes for models in the Amara, Hijaz, or Akebono scales. In short, investing this amount in your first instrument is a very good idea if you want something with far more potential than a basic tongue drum under A$170. You can then start learning the tongue drum with peace of mind.

Is buying a tongue drum for more than A$840 a good idea?

Tongue drums priced above A$840 are generally recommended for professionals and true enthusiasts. Above this price point, the largest models—up to 50 cm in diameter—become available. You can choose the exact tuning you want, since custom tuning is possible, as well as the number of notes (within reason). Your instrument may also come with a stand, allowing you to play multiple tongue drums at the same time and get better acoustics. At this price point, you can also find more exotic designs with beautiful colours and detailed engravings. However, if you’ve never played a tongue drum before, it’s usually wiser to start with a more affordable model.

Get a steel tongue drum at a reasonable price

A tongue drum can quickly become a costly investment depending on the type you want to buy, so it’s natural to wonder about the price. Now you have all the information you need to get a good idea of what you can afford based on your budget.

However, stores offering tongue drums for sale are still rare. And among those that do, there are only a few different models that might meet your requirements. Therefore, we recommend visiting the Instruments du Monde store, where you’ll find more than 70 different instruments, such as this magnificent handmade tongue drum tuned to the Amara scale.

Check out this instrument now by clicking on the image below:

Fall in love with this stunning handmade tongue drum

4.6/5 — 500+ Reviews

View the handmade tongue drum

Did you know that there are tongue drum models designed specifically for nursery and primary school pupils? These instruments are perfectly suited to young children’s early music education. If that doesn’t apply to you, read our comprehensive guide to tongue drums to learn everything there is to know about this exciting percussion instrument.