What Is a Zen Drum or Tongue Drum?

Portrait of Ambre Montespan, editor of the Instruments du Monde Blog

Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on May 8, 2026

Table of contents:

Have you just discovered a brand-new musical instrument called a zen drum? You may have heard other names for this musical object, such as a tongue drum or relaxation drum. Want to learn more about this type of steel percussion instrument that produces soothing sounds?

I currently own over 10 zen drums from various brands, and I’m truly passionate about this instrument. I’ve also researched it extensively—its origins, history, and latest developments—so I can confidently answer all your questions about the zen drum.

The zen drum is a steel percussion instrument shaped like a flattened sphere. It’s hollow inside and has cutouts on its upper shell so the musician can strike it to produce sound. This instrument is also called a tongue drum.

By reading this informative article, you will learn:

What exactly a zen drum is
The prices charged for this musical instrument
Whether it can be used to play songs
Whether it’s a good idea to introduce the zen drum to children
My personal take on the tongue drum

As a result, you’ll discover everything there is to know about the zen drum. You’ll expand your musical knowledge, and more importantly, you’ll understand whether purchasing this instrument is the right choice for you.

Now, let's take a closer look at the zen drum in detail.

A woman sitting in lotus pose playing a zen drum

What is a zen drum?

The zen drum is a percussion instrument belonging to the idiophone family. This means that the sounds and acoustics it produces are generated by the materials used to make the instrument. Specifically, this type of drum is made by welding two spherical shells together to form a flattened metal sphere. On the upper shell, cuts of different sizes, resembling tongues, are made by hand or laser. It is the size of these cuts that will determine the musical notes that the zen drum will be able to play. The smaller the cutout, the higher the note played, and vice versa. This is why a zen drum with, for example, eight cutouts will only be able to play eight notes and no more. In addition, on this instrument, all the cutouts are of different sizes so that no two notes are ever the same. The number of notes can vary between approximately six and 18.

The zen drum was invented fairly recently, in 2007, by an American named Dennis Havlena. In fact, zen drum is not the only name for this musical instrument. So when people refer to a tongue drum, zen drum, relaxation drum, tongue drum, or zero-stress drum, they are all talking about the same thing: a zen drum. The most popular term is still tongue drum. Beginners sometimes mistakenly write tung drum, tong drum, or tonguedrum, but all these names refer to the same musical instrument.

The zen drum is also easy to play: simply pick up a pair of mallets or sticks and strike the tongues to create beautiful melodies. Thanks to its precise manufacturing technique, the zen drum stays in tune permanently—it will never go out of tune unless it takes a hard hit.

Are there any videos presenting this steel percussion instrument?

There are many videos featuring the zen drum. Here is one of a 13-note model tuned to the major key of C. The melody it produces is very soothing:

How much does a tongue drum cost?

Tongue drums are priced quite variably, with small 6-note models starting around NZ$80–NZ$100 and professional units reaching approximately NZ$1970. The final price mainly reflects the instrument’s size and build quality. For a 20 cm, 11-note model, NZ$240 is a fair price. Anything above NZ$390 is not a good deal. For 15-note zen drums, you can expect to pay around NZ$490 for a good model. With this price range, you’ll be able to distinguish between genuine and fake promotions, which are increasingly common on the online shops of dishonest professionals.

What is my opinion on relaxation drums?

In my opinion, the relaxation drum or zen drum is an excellent instrument for those who have never played an instrument before or who are looking for a moment of relaxation and calm. Unlike a violin or guitar, it is impossible to play a wrong note, as the instrument has been tuned by the manufacturer and you simply strike the tongue to produce the desired sound. What’s more, the sounds produced by the zen drum are truly unique.

However, be careful! The zen drum has grown increasingly popular in recent years, and fraudulent websites have quickly appeared with the aim of scamming, swindling, or deceiving future musicians. To ensure you’re dealing with a reputable professional, I strongly advise visiting the online review platform Trustpilot to read customer reviews. Finally, always check that the company’s registration number (SIRET, in France) and address are included in the legal notice or terms and conditions of sale. This information is mandatory for all professionals, and its absence often indicates that the site owner is trying to illegally conceal it. This last point should definitely raise a red flag, even if the offer seems interesting or attractive, because there is a high risk that you will never receive your zen drum.

Is it possible to play music and sheet music with a zen drum?

It is perfectly possible to play melodies and sheet music with a zen drum. However, it’s important to note that a zen drum is not a piano and only has a limited number of notes due to its small size. Therefore, the number of songs you can play will depend on the number of notes the instrument has. For example, an 8- or 11-note model will be quite limited, whereas a 15-note model opens up a whole range of possibilities with hundreds of songs to play. If your goal is to own a zen drum that can play a lot of songs, you should choose a 13- to 15-note model.

A man in the forest playing a zen drum

Is the tongue drum suitable for children in nursery or primary school?

Because the tongue drum never goes out of tune, it’s an ideal first instrument for introducing music in nursery or primary school. Even if some pupils can’t read yet, colourful stickers can be added to the tongue drum so that everyone can identify the notes. This feature is therefore very useful for young children and budding musicians, who can develop their creativity with the zen drum. It also allows teachers to help their pupils calm down and relax after a more energetic episode.

Treat yourself and get a magnificent zero-stress drum

The zen drum is an instrument that is growing in popularity around the world. Its popularity is booming, and it’s only natural to take a closer look at it. Now, thanks to the information in this article, you know a lot more about the tongue drum and how it works. So you can decide whether the zen drum is the right musical instrument for you.

However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a reliable shop that will ensure you receive your zen drum on time. That’s why we recommend the French company Instruments du Monde, which is reliable and reputable and offers a wide selection of zen drums. Like this magnificent 11-note model, which will allow you to calmly begin learning this instrument with its soft, soothing sounds, conducive to calm and meditation.

Relax with music and click on the image below to discover the zen drum:

Did you know it’s possible to tune your tongue drum differently with magnets, so you can explore new sounds on this US-invented instrument? Find out more in this new article or learn more about this mysterious object by consulting our detailed guide to the tongue drum.

Ambre Montespan

I’ve been passionate about world musical instruments for over 20 years, and I’m excited to share my love of these unique instruments with you. After many trips around the globe, I’ve become a true believer in the benefits of music therapy—using music as a gentle, alternative approach to well-being. Over the years, I’ve supported hundreds of people as they navigated everyday challenges.

Through these articles, I hope to pass on everything I’ve learned so these instruments are never forgotten, while also offering you an original way to bring more fulfilment into your life.