Steel Tongue Drum

The tongue drum is a relatively recent American musical instrument, dating back to 2007 and invented by Dennis Havlena.

Havlena drew much of his inspiration from the handpan (which should be distinguished from the tongue drum) as well as the Tambiro, another musical instrument invented a few years earlier by Fellé Vega, a musician and percussionist born in the Dominican Republic.

As for how the tongue drum was first made, Dennis Havlena originally had the idea of cutting a 13 kg gas cylinder, keeping only the rounded top and bottom, and then welding those two parts together. He then used a grinder to make tongue-shaped cutouts in one side of the cylinder.

He quickly realised that striking those tongues produced a surprisingly melodic sound.

This American instrument goes by several names: the tongue drum, the steel tongue drum (a nod to its steel construction), the tank drum (named after the gas tank used in early builds), and the hank drum, a blend of “handpan” and “tank drum” that highlights its inspiration.

The tongue drum is surprisingly easy to play, and even a 3-year-old can have fun with it without any difficulty.

You’ve probably seen (or owned) a xylophone, that classic instrument often given as a toy so little ones can discover music. The tongue drum works on a very similar idea, but without the piercing, shrill sound that can drive parents crazy. Simply take the mallets, drumsticks, or soft beaters and strike the tongue-shaped cutouts to play beautiful melodies.

There are, of course, more advanced techniques, such as using the sound hole to create acoustic effects. But they’re totally optional, and you can get the hang of a tongue drum in just a few minutes—unlike an accordion or string instruments such as the violin or harp, which take much longer to master.

In short, playing the tongue drum is accessible to everyone.

Absolutely.

The more tongues—and therefore musical notes—the tongue drum you choose has, the greater your musical possibilities will be.

With a 15-note model, you’ll be able to play a wide range of popular songs.

The vast majority of musical instruments today are tuned to 440 Hz. That means the note A4 (the A above middle C) vibrates at 440 cycles per second, and that pitch is used as the reference for tuning all other notes.

So, most modern music is played at 440 Hz. However, this standard has only been widely adopted since 1975. Before that, many musicians favoured A=432 Hz, sometimes called Verdi pitch, after the Italian composer and conductor Giuseppe Verdi, who advocated for it over 440 Hz.

According to some musicians, instruments tuned to 432 Hz resonate in harmony with the earth and nature, and the vibrations of this frequency are said to offer benefits on a physical, mental, and emotional level. That’s why some tongue drums are offered in 432 Hz tuning. Also, because the frequency is lower, the sound will be slightly deeper.

It’s worth noting that no scientific study has yet confirmed these benefits. Furthermore, instruments tuned to 432 Hz are only compatible with each other. So don’t expect to play with a guitarist, pianist, or any other musician who doesn’t have an instrument specifically tuned to 432 Hz.

For that reason, if you don’t have a specific preference about frequency, it’s usually best to choose a tongue drum tuned to 440 Hz. If the product page doesn’t mention tuning, it’s typically a standard 440 Hz model.

Tongue drum construction varies by manufacturer and quality level.

Steel models are the most common and basic. They’re made from inexpensive steel composed of iron and carbon. It is sometimes referred to as carbon steel, but all steel contains a small percentage of carbon, so this term has little practical meaning. This material makes it possible to produce a low-cost tongue drum, but the instrument will tend to rust very quickly. You’ll therefore need to inspect it regularly and prevent it from coming into contact with water at all costs.

Next is stainless steel, which contains just over 10% chromium, making it more resistant to corrosion and, therefore, rust. Its acoustic performance is also slightly better than that of plain steel.

Titanium-steel alloy is simply stainless steel combined with a small amount of titanium. Corrosion resistance and the instrument’s overall strength are enhanced, making it more resistant to major impacts that could knock the tongue drum’s tongues out of tune. In addition, this alloy is lighter than plain steel. Its acoustic performance is also better and remains consistent for longer. It is a preferred material for high-quality tongue drums.

Steel-copper alloy is similar to titanium-steel alloy, except that the instrument is slightly lighter and produces tones that differ from those of other materials. This is still a high-quality instrument, so choosing between copper and titanium is largely a matter of personal preference.

Finally, nitrided steel has undergone a nitrogen surface treatment to make it highly resistant to corrosion while increasing its durability. The highest-quality—and most expensive—tongue drums are made from nitrided steel. This produces highly percussive instruments that are perfect for percussionists who want to add rhythm to their musical compositions.

The tongue drum shouldn’t be confused with its cousin, the handpan, also known as the Hang drum. On a tongue drum, the tongues are cut directly into the metal. A handpan, on the other hand, is hammered for hours to shape the tone fields on its surface, which largely explains the price difference between the two instruments. At a glance, an experienced percussionist can tell them apart.

In addition, their origins are very different: the tongue drum was invented in the United States, while the handpan originated in Switzerland and served as a major source of inspiration for the tongue drum.

The range of a percussion instrument such as the tongue drum is defined by the musical notes it has. Not all tongue drums have the same notes because the instrument can accommodate only about 15 notes at most, whereas several dozen notes are available on instruments such as the piano. The tongue drum therefore has a limited range.

Scales are divided into two main families: major scales and minor scales. Major scales contain a set of notes that produce a warm, cheerful sound when played. By contrast, minor scales tend to evoke introspection or melancholy. To learn more, read our article about tongue drum scales and how to choose one.

There is no right or wrong choice, but keep in mind that most tank drum models are tuned to the diatonic C major scale. This is simply because the scale includes the familiar notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B, making it perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to play sheet music that often requires all these notes. If that applies to you, read our article on choosing a tongue drum for beginners.

You can also find multiscale tongue drums whose scale can be changed using a set of magnets. However, this solution is very expensive, impractical, and still far from perfected.

Music therapy is a gentle, complementary approach that uses music and instruments to support healing, well-being, rhythmic relaxation, and even meditation.

The tongue drum is particularly useful in this context thanks to the soft sounds it produces. Practising music therapy with the tongue drum can help reduce excess cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body and, in turn, limit related issues such as fatigue, weight gain, and sleep problems.

In addition, playing the tongue drum can support focus and memory, which may be especially helpful for children with lots of energy who can be hard to calm and channel.

Tongue drums range in price from €50 to €1,000. Entry-level models are often quite small and can play only a limited number of melodies, while more expensive models are much larger, resonate more deeply, and offer a richer sound. Read this article detailing tongue drum price ranges to get a clearer picture.

While the tongue drum works beautifully as a solo instrument, you can also unlock even more possibilities by pairing it with other instruments.

For example, its soft, soothing tones blend perfectly with membranophones (drums with heads) such as a jingling tambourine, snare drum, bass drum, or timpani.

A percussion ensemble is also a great match, including the triangle for its bright, high-pitched ring, as well as glockenspiel, gong, carillon, bamboo castanets, claves, and even some African instruments such as the balafon, the marimba with its resonators, or the very melodic kalimba with its steel tines.

Wind instruments are also worth exploring, and you can even pair it with a trumpet.

Other world instruments also shine alongside the tongue drum. Think of pairing it with the bendir, the darbouka, the traditional instrument of North Africa, the bongo, the emblematic instrument of Cuba, or the conga, which produces especially interesting harmonics.

If you’re looking for the best accessories and instruments in the world of percussion, our online store is a valuable resource. Based in the heart of Paris, we’ll help you with your search by recommending the instrument best suited to your needs. You’ll be able to create unique, original sounds with the tongue drums, tank drums, and slit drums we offer. This will give you a more immersive experience during your exciting and relaxing activities. You’ll also find bags, cases, and stands with rubber feet for your Zen Drum. We offer a wide range of accessories so you can get the most out of your percussion instrument.

As you browse our instrument catalogue, the tongue drum is sure to catch your attention. Its soft, hypnotic sounds will captivate your ears. It is primarily crafted from premium-quality metal and features precisely tuned notes. These notes are produced by gently striking the tongues cut into the steel with mallets or drumsticks. Manufacturers such as Zenko, Beat Root, Sela Rammerdrum, Meinl Sonic Energy, Staag, Tama Classic Series, Pearl, and Rav Vast have revolutionised the current generation of tongue drums. Above all, they offer a variety of scales, including major, minor, and many others. Their central goal is to turn every percussion performance into a new sonic adventure.

The model offered by YouTuber April Yang is one of the most sought-after because of its appearance and the exceptional sound it produces. Designed by renowned professionals, it stands apart from other instruments. Its optimal diameter combines impeccable quality with superior aesthetics. In addition, its titanium-steel alloy finish makes this model impeccable in terms of quality.

If you’re looking for an instrument with high-quality sound, the major-scale model is one of the best choices. It offers musicians an unforgettable experience by combining remarkable cutting-edge technology with the craftsmanship of the artisans who designed it. Choosing this steel tongue drum model will perfectly round out your musical practice.

Our store’s top priority is the satisfaction of our valued customers. When shipping orders, we ensure the quality of the products being delivered. We take the time to wrap the instruments in durable protective covers. Our main goal is to ensure that the equipment is transported safely with the best possible protection. Above all, we strive to provide fast service and strengthen our reputation among our customers.

If the world of tongue drums still seems unclear, our website features a dedicated section with a demonstration video to help you discover this instrument. We also invite you to explore our informative article ranking the best tongue drums. This guidance will help customers make the right choice among all the models currently in stock. You can also browse our catalogue to see the other items available. The selection offered by our online store continues to grow. However, the French store Instruments du Monde stands out for its unique expertise and, above all, its exceptional quality. Our commitment to meeting musicians’ expectations is well established, and you can trust our store to help you find the instrument of your dreams.

We’ve organised our products by price range to help customers choose according to their budget. Our goal is to help them find the ideal instrument that suits both their budget and their expectations.

With our tongue drums, we’ll take you on a journey to another world. Musicians can enjoy an extraordinary journey while expressing their talent. To achieve remarkable sound clarity, we’ve selected exceptional materials. Our drums are crafted from premium-quality metal. As a result, our one-of-a-kind pieces will immerse you in an impeccable sonic experience.