Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on Jan 27, 2026
Table of contents:
Would you like to learn how to play "The Sound of Silence" by the legendary folk duo Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel on your tongue drum? Look no further: with our sheet music, already tested and approved by hundreds of players, this iconic melody will soon feel easy and natural to perform. With a little practice, "The Sound of Silence" will hold no secrets for you!
Dive into the sheet music below right away.
Learn the right way to read tongue drum sheet music
Reading tongue drum sheet music properly isn’t something you can just wing. That’s why, before you start learning "The Sound of Silence," it’s essential to understand what the numbers, letters, and other musical symbols mean. But don’t worry—a detailed guide to learning the right way to read tongue drum sheet music is available. After reading it, you’ll see that those few notation symbols really aren’t that hard to grasp.
Listen to "Sound of Silence" before you start learning the tongue drum
If you follow the sheet music instructions exactly, here’s what you’ll get on your tongue drum:
And to compare it with the original, below you’ll find Simon and Garfunkel’s version.
As well as the famous cover by the metal band Disturbed:
The numbered sheet music for tongue drum, Simon and Garfunkel's iconic song
Ideal for musicians who are just starting out with the tongue drum, here is a numbered score for "The Sound of Silence."
Sound of Silence for steel tongue drum in a score with letters
Improve your sound by using the advanced tank drum sheet music for Sound of Silence
To really nail the length of each note, it’s essential to play the melody of "The Sound of Silence" using this advanced sheet music for tank drum.
Save Sound of Silence for hank drum in a PDF
Share good vibes with those around you! Download all the tongue drum sheet music for Sound of Silence in a single PDF pack. That way, you’ll have every file you might need right on your computer—ready to print or share with friends!
Who sang the song The Sound of Silence?
The song "The Sound of Silence" was originally sung by the folk duo Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel. The acoustic version of the song was released in 1964 on an album that, unfortunately, didn’t find much success. After that setback, the duo split up a few months later. But a year later, in 1965, their producer believed the song could become a major hit if the arrangement were less gentle and more folk-rock, like many popular tracks of the time. As a result, an electric version was created—without informing Simon or Garfunkel. It kept their vocals but brought in other musicians playing more rock-oriented instruments.
This version became a huge success, which the duo only discovered later in 1965 when the song entered the US Top 100. It was only then that they decided to reunite and release a second album in 1966, which included the electric version of "The Sound of Silence". The duo went on to enjoy a string of successes, notably with their album "Bridge over Troubled Water," which won five Grammy Awards. In 1970, the two artists split up once again due to differences in their artistic visions. Now both 79 years old, Simon and Garfunkel continued to perform until the end of the 2010s and even reunited as a duo at times to play their greatest hits.
"The Sound of Silence" has also been covered many times, in English and in other languages. The most famous and popular modern rendition remains the heavy-metal version by Disturbed, featuring David Draiman’s deep, gravelly vocals.
What is the meaning of the lyrics to The Sound of Silence?
The song "The Sound of Silence" was written in late 1963, in a particular context, shortly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which was a great trauma for the American people. According to Paul Simon, the general meaning of the lyrics is a denunciation of the lack or inability of human beings to communicate.
The title therefore reads like a warning about the dangers of being unable to express emotions to others. In the lyrics, we find: "I saw ten thousand people, maybe more, people talking without speaking, people hearing without listening." The song encourages us to recognize the importance of communication in everyday life.
Get a 15-note tongue drum to play the score for Sound of Silence
Congratulations—you now have everything you need to play "The Sound of Silence" on your tongue drum thanks to the sheet music above. All you need now is a little discipline and practice to fully master the subtleties of this wonderful 1960s melody.
However, to play the sheet music for this song, you’ll definitely need a tongue drum with 15 notes. If the instrument you already own is missing some of them, the result won’t sound right. That’s why Instruments du Monde offers a magnificent 15-note tongue drum that was used to play the example of "The Sound of Silence" at the beginning of this article.
Treat yourself to this high-quality tongue drum today, which will allow you to play almost all of the available melodies by clicking on the image below:
Always been drawn to the world of piracy? Set sail and explore our tongue drum sheet music for Pirates of the Caribbean—relive unique musical moments with Jack Sparrow and his crew aboard the Black Pearl. Or visit our complete tongue drum sheet music page to play countless other melodies.
