The Best Tongue Drums
The tongue drum produces beautiful tones to create soothing music. Its sweet notes ring out for a long time, harmonizing together in a peaceful wash of sound. It's easy to learn, too, so if you're looking to start playing a new instrument, the tongue drum is a great choice. To get you started, we've handpicked the best tongue drums on the market for your perusal. For a large drum with rich resonance and wide range, we recommend Four Uncles' 12-inch tongue drum. It looks gorgeous, and the sounds are deep and long-lasting. It's perfect for larger rooms. If you're looking for something more portable, Regis's six-inch drums pack a sizable punch for their size. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks. No matter which you choose, you'll soon be playing harmonious, meditative music.
Four Uncles Steel Tongue Drum
Meditative melodies
When you think of a steel tongue drum, you might envision a spa-like environment. This mid-sized drum brings the same vibes and can help fill your room with peaceful meditative tones. This tongue drum features rich low notes and singing high notes. It’s intuitive to learn, with numbers marking the different notes and an instructional booklet with songs and techniques. You can use either mallets or fingerpicks, both of which are included.
Pros:
- Because this drum is available in a 12-inch size, it can produce lower notes than smaller drums. It can also play louder.
- The numbers make it really easy to learn, even for those without a background in music.
Cons:
- It can be difficult to get a loud sound with just your hands, so we’d recommend using a mallet.
Musfunny Steel Tongue Drum Kit
For the musical friend
This small tongue drum makes a perfect present for someone who’d like to start playing an instrument or someone who’s been playing music for a while. Don’t let its size fool you — it boasts ample resonance and a rich sound for a six-inch tongue drum. We also appreciate that they include a carrying case for the mallets along with the drum. The mallet case can even hook onto the drum case for easy transportation.
Pros:
- This drum produces rich tones without sounding too loud. It works well for meditation, yoga, and relaxing music-making sessions.
- The matte finish resists fingerprints. With proper care, this drum can look new for a long time.
Cons:
- The higher notes don’t resonate as well as the lower notes.
Regis Steel Alloy Tongue Drum
It may look like a river stone, but this pick is a music-making dream come true. This beautifully designed drum can fit in your backpack or shoulder bag. With this drum, you can play sweet, melodious music wherever you go. The included mallets amplify the notes and resonance, though you can also use your hands for a softer timbre. Either way, this instrument sounds beautiful.
Pros:
- We like how the numbers aren’t obtrusive but still visible enough to help with learning.
- It has a small, elegant design but still rings as if it were a huge metal bowl.
- You can use a variety of mallets on it for different tones. Soft felt mallets, for example, produce a quiet, lush timbre.
Cons:
- The music score sheet is pretty sparse.
Rakumi 14-inch Tongue Drum
A bigger, better sound
When it comes to steel drums, the bigger they are, the lower they can play. A 14-inch tongue drum such as this can produce deep, long-sustaining notes. This one is tuned in the key of C with a whopping 15 notes at your disposal. It includes two wooden mallets and a hardy travel case. If you’re planning to play for an audience and need something that can project, this is the tongue drum for you.
Pros:
- We were impressed with this drum’s high-quality construction. With the proper care, we think it will last you for years to come.
- It has a beautifully textured surface with multiple color options, so it looks as good as it sounds.
Cons:
- Because of its size, this option might be difficult to carry.
Lotmusic Steel Tongue Drum
Gorgeous tones
The beauty of tongue drums lies in the wash of sound as overtones flow over one another to create pulsating rhythms. If you’re looking for a meditative type of sound, this drum is the one for you. At 12 inches, this drum hits some pretty low notes, and the notes ring for a long time. For a tongue drum at this price, it’s well-crafted and well-tuned. Whether used for performances or meditation, this tongue drum is the perfect entry point into the world of steel drums.
Pros:
- This drum boasts a stunning sound that sustains for a long period without requiring hard mallet strikes.
- The notes sound harmonious instead of dissonant when ringing together.
Cons:
- It may be less shiny in person than it appears in the pictures and videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a tongue drum and a hang drum?
Tongue drums use slits in the metal to shape out tongues that produce different notes. Hang drums use indentations of various depths and diameters to create different pitches.
How do I learn how to play the tongue drum?
Many tongue drums include a music booklet that will help get you started by following well-known melodies with the number indicators. Generally speaking, the “1” on the tongue drum corresponds to the tonic note that the drum is tuned to, so if your drum is in C major, the “1” will be the low C.
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