"My first purchase was for my husband, who’s just getting started on the tongue drum. I’m very happy with the product, and the preparation and shipping times were exactly as promised."
Amy C.
Listen to a soothing tune played on this percussion instrument
Relax with this uniquely shaped tongue drum!
Get a truly original tongue drum
The tongue drum is an unusual, one-of-a-kind instrument invented by Dennis Havlena in the early 2000s while he was trying to build a more affordable handpan from a recycled gas cylinder. The innovative model offered here features 15 notes and a 35 cm (14 in) diameter, closely echoing the prototype that took shape in its creator’s mind more than 20 years ago. What’s more, you can choose the colour of your uniquely shaped tongue drum. Supplied with a pair of mallets and an instruction booklet, it’s easy to get started and learn to play beautiful melodies on this percussion instrument. Let yourself be charmed by its enchanting tone and experience a truly authentic tongue drum as soon as you can.
Free gift:
An exclusive instruction booklet
A rigid fabric carrying bag
2 mallets
4 silicone finger protectors
A set of stickers to place on the tongues to aid memorisation
Technical specifications of the original tongue drum
Instrument family: percussion – idiophone
Diameter: 35 cm (14 in)
Number of notes: 15
Key: C major
Frequency: 440 hertz
Material: stainless steel
Weight: 3 kg (6 lb 10 oz)
Are you passionate about stars and space? Treat yourself to a 15-note tongue drum featuring beautiful constellations engraved on its upper shell. Alternatively, feel free to browse all our tongue drums for sale to find the perfect model for you.
Discover the tank drum, inspired by the Swiss Hang
The Hang is an idiophone musical instrument invented in 2000 by PANArt Hangbau SA in Bern, Switzerland. At the time, and still today, it was very difficult to get hold of a Hang, as production remained very limited and the price tag was several thousand pounds. Faced with the physical and financial impossibility of obtaining a Hang, even though he had fallen in love with it, a small craftsman and luthier named Dennis Havlena decided to produce an instrument derived from the Hang, but using a used gas bottle that he emptied for the occasion. Instead of hammering the metal like with the Hang, he cut tongue shapes into the gas cylinder with a grinder. This innovation led to the tongue drum, which quickly became a favourite among other percussionists facing similar challenges. Buy your tongue drum today and start playing right away.
Discover the soothing virtues of the hank drum
When researchers in Chile demonstrated that the hank drum, or tongue drum, improved cognitive abilities and stimulated creativity, the result was not all that surprising, as other instruments before it already enjoyed this reputation. Nevertheless, when joint research between Germany and Switzerland in February 2022 revealed that this instrument also stabilises white matter in the brains of people in their sixties, it was considered particularly interesting. And that may not be all, as science is still studying the soothing properties of the tongue drum, and it is entirely possible that significant developments will emerge in the coming years. In any case, music therapy, which uses musical instruments in a healthcare setting, makes extensive use of the tongue drum. You too can enjoy the beneficial sounds of the tongue drum and improve your daily life by increasing your well-being.
Explore the American evolution of the tank drum
Many new musical instruments are simply refined versions of earlier, less successful models. Think of the tongue drum as an update to other percussion instruments—much like a new release of your favourite software. The first of these could be the Aztec teponaztli, which also had slits, but in a solid wooden log. Then, Jim Doble’s Whale Drum, invented in 1990, was very similar to the tongue drum in shape and structure in that it also had an all-metal sound box. Finally, Fella Vega’s Tambiro took another step forward, offering a design very similar to the tongue drum but with a different shape and playing style. The combination of all these instruments enabled Dennis Havlena to develop his tongue drum prototype in his shed in the United States. You too can help popularise the tongue drum by purchasing one from our store.
Take music with you wherever you go with the portable zen drum
How can you enhance your well-being or zen state during a sound-relaxation session? Often, participants are treated to nature sounds that evoke calm—the trickling of a stream, the surf on the beach, or birdsong. What if you could experience this in real life with your own musical instrument? This is one of the promises of the tongue drum, which—thanks to its durability and compact format—lets you take it with you almost anywhere for a moment of relaxation wherever you choose. Cultivate tranquillity and serenity in any situation and play melodies in the places that nourish you most. Fall in love with one of our magnificent tongue drums, sometimes called Zen drums.
Legal warranty: when you order from the French company Instruments du Monde, you’re covered by a 2-year statutory warranty on all our items.
Returns and exchanges: not satisfied with your order? Not sure if this product is right for you? We’ve got you covered! Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery, and you don’t need to provide a reason. Shop with peace of mind.
Free delivery: if you live in the UK, delivery is free.
Dispatch time: dispatches within 48 working hours.
Delivery time: orders are delivered to the UK within 3–14 working days. This time frame may be extended to 30 days for other countries.
Excellent
4.6
out of 5, based on 500+ reviews
Share
Frequently bought together
Add this selection of items, recommended by most of our customers, to your basket.
