Tongue drums
steel, petrol blue, black, lavender, drums, fairy xylophones
Our tongue drums - also known as tongue drum, tank drum, hank drum, steel tongue drum or handpan - are top-quality percussion musical instruments. Their rich and deep sound can be played instinctively by beginners and accomplished musicians alike.
What is a tongue drum?
No strings or membranes! Like bells, maracas and xylophones, the tongue drum produces sound through the vibration of its material alone. As such, it belongs to the idiophone family.
The percussion instrument takes the form of a hollow steel body with raised parts tuned to specific pitches.
Striking the metal tongues with mallets or fingers produces melodic tones. Higher-frequency vibrations add harmonic complexity to a sound that's often described as soothing, and frequently used in meditation, yoga classes and music therapy.
What are the origins of the tongue drum?
Its origins can be traced back to African slit drums, Aztec Teponaztli drums or, closer to home, Caribbean steel drums. However, tongue drums are a modern invention, created in the late 2000s by Dennis Havlena, who had the idea of using a recycled gas bottle to design this percussion.
Is it difficult to play?
The instrument is easy to pick up, and learning to play the tongue drum is relatively straightforward, even for beginners, who will intuitively produce beautiful sounds with little or no previous musical experience.
Advanced musicians will enjoy experimenting and expressing different techniques, playing with melodies and creating a wide range of sounds.
What's the difference between a tongue drum and a "fairy xylophone"?
The word "xylophone" comes from the Greek words "xylon" (wood) and "phone" (sound). So, as the name suggests, the fairy xylophone is a traditional musical instrument made from wood, which is thought to have originated in ancient Africa, where it was used in rites and ceremonies. The tongue drum, on the other hand, is made of metal, and has a more versatile use in contemporary musical expression.
How to use a tongue drum
In addition to traditional uses, such as religious rituals, ceremonies, yoga or meditation sessions, this instrument with its soothing sounds seems to inspire music lovers the world over: it's used just as much in relaxation music as in music workshops, music therapy or contemporary music concerts.
Other therapeutic instruments
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