Empty Drum

Learn to play the tank drum with our specialized guides

The tongue drum, also known as a tank drum, is one of today’s most accessible percussion instruments, no matter your starting level of music theory. Beginners especially love this intriguing sound sculpture because it’s so intuitive to play. Its metal tongues produce a clear, musical note with every strike, helping the instrument sing beautifully. You can also progress quickly by following the many tutorials available online. The ones offered on the Instruments du Monde website are particularly reliable and will help you build your tongue drum skills step by step. Before long, you’ll be creating pure, pitch-accurate tones—much more satisfying than spending hundreds of hours trying to produce a clean sound on a violin. Take your musical creations further with this instrument!

Reduce your stress with the steel tongue drum

If your goal is to enjoy a soothing sound while playing a musical instrument, the tongue drum is often one of the first picks percussionists recommend. It’s ideal for sound relaxation, meditation, and even sound therapy. Your downtime feels even more restorative when you play it. Playing can help lower cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, which is especially meaningful as stress continues to rise in modern life. On top of that, it can also support better sleep. You’ll feel more rested and at ease as you listen to the gentle vibrations this instrument releases when you hold it in your hands. The therapeutic benefits of the tongue drum never cease to impress its users. Relax deeply with this extraordinary musical instrument!

Delve into the history of the tongue drum and its American creators

The history of the tongue drum began in the United States with the artist Jim Doble in 1990. His goal was to pursue his dream of creating a high-quality musical instrument. With the creation of his Whale Drum, he achieved one of his greatest challenges. His inspiration came from Aztec slit drums, which were made from solid wood and used in religious ceremonies of the time. But Jim Doble’s biggest breakthrough was the idea of using emptied gas cylinders to form the body of his instrument, replacing the Aztecs’ solid wood with metal. Unfortunately, his invention was quickly forgotten before being revived in 2007 by Dennis Havlena. Havlena’s idea was to refine the Whale Drum by creating a new version with a note layout similar to the Hang drum. That’s how the tongue drum, as we know it today, took shape in the U.S. To improve tone and fine-tune the notes, he used neodymium magnets. The instrument’s simplicity has since made it a hit across every continent. So why not grab your own tongue drum and start crafting melodies of extraordinary beauty?

Travel with your music thanks to the tank drum

Musicians who are often on the move, whether for personal or professional reasons, will especially appreciate the practicality of a tank drum. It lets you play the pieces you love wherever you feel inspired. Thanks to its light, compact design, it slips easily into a backpack or suitcase without getting in the way. What’s more, the tongue drum isn’t fragile—its body is primarily made of sturdy metal—so the risk of damage during transport is minimal. Start performing around the world with this instrument today, and express your talent anywhere.

Legal conformity guarantee: 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 for 30 days after delivery, and you don’t need to provide a reason. Shop with confidence.

Free shipping: If you live in mainland France, Belgium, or Switzerland, shipping is on us.

Shipping time: Ships within 48 business hours.

Delivery time: Orders are delivered to France, Belgium, Switzerland, and European Union member countries within 3 to 14 business days. This timeframe may extend up to 30 days for other countries.