Top 10 Best Steel Tongue Drums of 2024
Steel tongue drums, also known as tank drums or best steel drums, are a wonderful option to get into music without the need to throw hours upon hours into technique drills and practice exercises. Easy to play and gorgeously sounding is the essence of this type of percussion.
Tank drums are a very recent invention, as the earliest inspiration for the creation of such percussion was something that was called a whale drum. The tank drum received its name because it can be easily made out of an exhausted propane tank. The bottom of it is cut off, and the special “tongues” are cut to produce various pitches.
The vibration of tongues makes the whole instrument resonate and amplifies the sound. Such percussion has a distinct and unforgettable sound that makes me wonder how humankind did not come up with this instrument earlier.
In any case, it is a fun and engaging instrument, and I want to share this idea with other people. That’s why I am writing this article: to help you get started on your musical journey.
A Review of the Best Steel Tongue Drums
Contents
Was your attention caught by the newly trending steel tongue percussion drums? In this article, you will find reviews of the best steel tongue drums.
1. Lomuty Steel Tongue Drum
No products found.
The Lomuty is a brand that made its name specifically tank drums. They specialize in manufacturing percussion instruments, and it is about the only product they offer (apart from singing glass bowls). The Lomuty is, without a doubt, a real professional of their craft. They specify that they lovingly handcraft each of the tank drums they put out to sell.
You cannot and should not expect a low-quality product from such passionate people. The brand completely meets the highest expectations: the 12” Lomuty Steel Tongue Drum is on par with every entry in this list.
The manufacturer carefully checks the intonation of not only the tongues on their own but also, the resonance of each chord in the C major scale. This factor allows this percussion to produce clean and pure intervals that do not cancel each other out but rather reinforce and support the sound they produce together.
As a result, you get the amazing combination tones of the C major scale with which you can experiment and explore to your heart’s contempt. A pretty interesting feature that Lomuty added to their percussion is that every note is tuned according to a different reference pitch: 432 Hz.
In actuality, music, at its core, is just mathematical relations between various pitches (notes). So, some relations sound good, and that is why we use them. All of the music you hear in your life: on the radio, in the movies, in your favorite albums, is mathematically tuned to a particular reference pitch – 440 Hz.
Tuning to 432 Hz, on the other hand, is a recent discovery, and it is speculated that due to it, all of the notes in this tuning have simpler and purer relations. Therefore, they are transcendent, profound, and more mystical sounding. Whether there is a feasible difference, you will have to check for yourself, because this is an incredibly subjective point.
What is not subject, is that the manufacturer of this percussive instrument says that you can adjust the 11 tongues found on the drum to change the tuning. You can employ any other popular tuning, for example, Pythagorean tuning, 11-TET tuning, or common 12-TET tuning. You can even create your unique tuning – now it is real freedom of exploration. However, be advised, if you are not a music geek, you may not have a lot of success with creating a pleasantly sounding tuning.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 12 Inches
- Wide Range: 11 Notes
- Item Weight: 7.59 pounds
- Material: Steel-Titanium alloy
- Warranty: 30 days unconditional money back
What’s included:
- Steel drum
- Mallets
- Music Book In English
- Bag
- Notes Sticker
- Picks
- Changing tuning is easy
- Interesting tuning, 432 Hz
- Great for groups of people, i.e., parties and drumming circles
- Hand-crafted
- Targeted for music geeks
- Pricey
2. Yinama Steel Tongue Drum – Panda Drum Review
No products found.
This percussion piece comes from another lesser-known company, the Yinama. They mainly produce tech and musical accessories. The Yinama Steel Tongue Drum is a great alternative to the two previous pieces of percussion, because this one is a whole inch smaller, resulting in less weight without a big impact on the overall sound of the instrument.
The Yinama Steel Tongue Drum is handcrafted: the main material used in the manufacturing of this product is a steel-titanium alloy. The addition of titanium gives this percussion a distinct timbre that differs greatly from all of the other tank drums on the list. That lovely chimy sound of this type of percussion is still preserved; it is just that you would be able to easily distinguish Yinama percussion from all of the other competitors, only using your ears.
This percussion is great for beginners and aspiring drumming enthusiasts. The Yinama is known for making excellent and high-quality steel drums that empower students to master this musical instrument. This percussion has 11 tongues and is tuned to C major.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 10 Inches
- Wide Range: 11 tongues
- Item Weight: 5 pounds
- Material: Hand-made of Steel-Titanium alloy, coated by green spraying-paint
- Warranty: 30 days parts and labor
What’s included:
- Steel Tongue Drum
- 2 x Pairs of Drum Mallets
- Music Book (with Instructions)
- 2 x Set of Notes Stickers
- 8 x Picks
- Bag
- Excellent as a student instrument
- Extremely rich sound although the smaller form factor
- A very big bundle of accessories
- Still pretty big and heavy
3. Asmuse Steel Tongue Drum – The Best Steel Tongue Percussion Drum
No products found.
Asmuse is the kind of company to pride itself on delivering products of exceptional quality on a middle to lower-budget end. Apart from steel tongue drums, Asmuse delivers a wide variety of products for musicians, ranging from guitar effects pedals to recently popularized kalimbas to melodicas to headphones, and much more.
Asmuse Steel Tongue Drum is an incredibly beginner-friendly package: if you are new to steel tongue drums, then this drum hits the sweet spot in offering you exactly what you need from a tank drum without breaking the bank. The budget-friendliness of Asmuse Steel Tongue Drum does not impact its performance and build quality in any way.
The sound that this percussion produces is rich, vibrant, and very sonorous. Asmuse Steel Tongue Drum can be easily put into the category of meditative tank drums, as the sounds coming out of it effortlessly put you in a kind of trance. This percussion is perfectly suited for psychological therapy sessions, contemporary art performances, meditation experiences, as well as religious activities.
This particular piece of percussion has 8 tongues that are all tuned to different pitches of the C major pentatonic scale. It means that the only notes present in this percussion are C, D, E, G, and A. Pentatonic major scales usually have a very open sound because they have no half-step intervals between any of the notes.
So, you should not worry at all about not knowing anything about music. Such simplicity in the note choice will not allow creating any dissonance whatsoever. This percussion piece is 10”, which lies exactly in the middle in regard to tank drum sizes. Asmuse Steel Tongue Drum is great for keeping at home for various purposes, as well as it is not too heavy to carry around with you.
When you buy this percussion, you also receive a pair of percussion mallets, a mallet bracket for securing the mallets, a sticker, and a travel bag made out of nylon. According to Asmuse, the 5 different pitches of this tank drum correspond with 5 different elements found within the world. That is why this tank drum is perfect for connecting people with nature.
One of the biggest pluses of buying exactly this tank drum is that it is manufactured completely by hand. Every percussion piece comes out unique. It, of course, means that some drums may turn out to be off-pitch; however, Asmuse is a trusted and respectable company and will send you a replacement if there are any manufacturing faults with the product you bought.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 10 Inches
- Wide Range: 8 notes in C major
- Item Weight: 5 pounds
- Material: Stainless steel
- Warranty: 30 days
What’s included:
- Steel tongue drum
- 2x Pair of mallets
- Mallet bracket
- Tonic sticker
- Nylon travel bag
- Instructions & Song Book
- Wonderful quality, performance, and price correlation
- The middle ground between small and big tank drums
- Best of both worlds: transportable and an adequately rich sound
- Lower build quality
4. Rakumi Steel Tongue Drum – Panda Drum Reviews
No products found.
The Rakumi is a manufacturer that specializes in producing intricate metal objects. They do everything from earrings to glockenspiels to, of course, tank drums. All of these products require great accuracy in the manufacturing process as well as during quality assurance.
It is especially true when it comes to musical instruments like glockenspiels and percussion pieces. In essence, a wrong fraction of a millimeter here or there can make the whole instrument sound bad and uncomfortable to play. All musicians can agree that not even the greatest of players can make a low-quality instrument sound well.
How does exactly Rakumi Steel Tongue stand out from all of the other tank drums? First of all, it has a nice lotus flower style: all of the drum’s tongues resemble the petals of the lotus flower. Additionally, the palette of available colors adds to the natural aesthetic. The paint is a water-based solution, meaning that it is completely environmentally safe.
This percussion piece is much bigger than all of the previous tank drums found on the list. It results in a deeper, more profound sound coming from each played note. Also, a bigger form factor leads to a greater number of available tones. The Rakumi Steer Tongue Drum accrues 13 whole different tongues.
These tongues are all tuned to the already-mentioned C major scale, so, almost every note gets a double except for two. If you think why would anybody need two same-sounding notes, then your way of thinking corresponds with that of the folks at Rakumi.
Every doubled note has a slightly different timbre that neatly accompanies the other in unison when the two are played together. On their own, the notes sound incredible: well-rounded chiming sound, and when the notes combine, the overtones and harmonics that are created in the process are simply breathtaking.
The sound that is produced by this percussion piece is gigantic. It effortlessly fills a very big space with its powerful sound. You should hear this tank drum for yourself in order to fully understand how great it sounds.
This percussion piece, being 12”, is quite heavy. It is not as comfortable nor convenient to travel with when compared to previous entries on the list. It is best recommended to buy this percussion piece if you are not going to move it too much. This tank drum will be perfect if you want to use it only for your meditations or mind-healing sessions at home or if you are a specialist in the field, and you want to use this drum to create a meditative state for a whole group of people.
What you get with Rakumi Steel Tongue Drum is two drumsticks, one carrying drum bag, a book of music, and (unexpectedly) four-finger sleeves.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 12 Inches
- Wide Range: 13 Notes
- Item Weight: 5 Pounds
- Material: Steel
- Warranty: 30 days unconditional money-back guarantees
What’s included:
- Steel drum
- Mallets
- Music Book In English
- Bag
- Notes Sticker
- Picks
- Finger sleeves
- Comfortable bag
- Incredibly rich and resonant
- Great for big spaces
- Hard to transport
- Expensive
5. Luvay Steel Tongue Drum – Affordable 6” Steel-Titanium Model
No products found.
The Luvay is very similar to Muslady in its philosophy. You can find this brand’s products in any store around the globe, but it’s not very generous when it comes to sharing something about the company. Anyway, their 6-inch steel tongue drum really deserves your attention.
This compact buddy is made of steel-titanium alloy coated in corrosion-resistant paint. I don’t recommend scratching it to avoid rust and, fortunately, it’s not easy to do this due to the coating. The tuning of this drum is standard C, and all the notes are numbered (you may not use the stickers), so you won’t get lost when you start. The sound quality is very good as for an affordable beginner-level instrument.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 10 Inches
- Wide Range: 11 Notes
- Item Weight: 5 Pounds
- Material: Hand-made of Steel-Titanium alloy, coated by green spraying paint, corrosion resistant
- Warranty: 30 days unconditional money back
What’s included:
- Steel drum
- Mallets
- Music Book
- Bag
- Notes Sticker
- Picks
- Sturdy black finish;
- Excellent starter kit (fingerpicks included);
- It’s quite loud;
- Removable note stickers.
- Lacks a carry bag.
6. Ulalov Steel Tongue Drum – Great 12” Drum with A Pro Kit
No products found.
Ulalov is a dedicated steel drum manufacturer with quite a small lineup of drums but offering excellent value for the money. The brand’s 12-inch 11-tone instrument is made of a durable titanium-steel alloy with a silicone-sealed bottom. It sounds very ambient and ethereal, while the peak volume level is higher than most competitors provide.
The drum is tuned to the standard C scale and includes 11 tongues (CDBEFGABGAC). If you already are a musician, and it seems too little for you, don’t worry. This is a professional-grade tongue drum, and it can impress you with a variety of sounds you can make within such a short note diapason.
The kit includes 2 pairs of mallets and a stand for them, where you can put one pair while using the other. Both mallets have different attack brightness, which lets you be more versatile and sound softer or a bit louder if you want. Next, you receive 2 pairs of fingerpicks to play with both hands and train your finger technique.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 12 Inches
- Wide Range: 11 Notes
- Item Weight: 9.38 pounds
- Material: Steel-Titanium alloy
- Warranty: 30 days
What’s included:
- Steel drum
- Instruction
- Drum Kit
- 2 Pair of Mallets
- Set of Musical Scale Stickers
- Finger Sleeve*8
- 12 inches + 11 tongues;
- It’s quite loud and sounds very clear;
- Silicone bottom (removable for magnetic tuning);
- Cool waterproof bag with 2 straps;
- 2 pairs of mallets and fingerpicks.
- Isn’t stainless, so prevent it from scratching (the coating is great, though).
7. Ocarina Wind 12 inches – Fine C-major Tongue Drum
No products found.
Ocarina Wind is originally an ocarina and lyre harps manufacturer that makes some of the best instruments in the category at very modest prices. In recent years, they also started to make hand pans and custom steel tongue drums.
This C-major drum has a universal design as its aims not only at ethereal sound fans but at music theory learners as well. It has a standard set of 11 tongues tuned at 440Hz, but you can use magnets to tune it at 432Hz. The whole body is cut with lasers, so the tone is very clean. I have also enjoyed the textured coating that protects the instrument from scratches really well and prevents dirt from building up on the surface.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 12 Inches
- Wide Range: 11 Notes
- Item Weight: 6.45 Inches
- Material: Steel
- Warranty: 30 days
What’s included:
- 12″ Steel Tongue Drum
- 2 x Teel drum mallet
- Padded Drum Bag
- Tone sticker
- Laser-cut tongues;
- Open the bottom for easy magnet tuning (magnets not included);
- Nice textured finish (doesn’t collect dirt);
- Inexpensive 12” for learners and pros.
- The bag has no shoulder strap.
8. Flatsons Steel Tongue Drum – Zentone drum
No products found.
This tank drum comes from the brand called Flatsons. Although this company is not very well known, it still stands out from all of its competitors and has secured itself a second-pick place in this list with the tank drum it manufactures. The Flatsons manufactures a wide range of musical instruments as well as musical instrument accessories.
Not to disregard all of the other Flatsons products, but Flatsons Steel Tongue Drum is one of the best products this brand produces. It is extremely durable and sturdy. As soon as you take it and feel it with your hands, you will instantly recognize that it was made of high-quality materials.
The Flatsons Steel Tongue Drum is only 5.5” so it is extremely small. 5.5 inches is usually the smallest kind of tank drum that you can get. If it was any smaller, the sounds that such an instrument would produce would be very weak, quiet, and not meditation-inducive.
The Flatsons Steel Tongue Drum, however, can produce some incredible chiming ethereal sounds. This percussion piece is wonderful for you, Zen, meditation, and sound therapy all at home! It will not take up too much space and can fit neatly on just about any cupboard.
The main material that makes this percussion piece is a very strong and resonant metal alloy. The alloy is covered with a sleek metallic/pearly finish that gives it anti-corrosive protection. With the tank drum, you also get the usual accessories: a pair of drumming mallets, a drum transportation bag, and a book filled with various musical pieces. One thing has to be highlighted: the carry-on bag is very funky-looking, and is extremely pleasing to the eye.
In addition to convenience at home, Flatsons Steel Tongue Drum is quite light too (when compared to other tank drums), so traveling with it is very convenient too. So, you can connect with your inner self and explore the wonderful timbers of this instrument just about anywhere in the world.
This percussion piece is tuned to C major scale (or, more precisely, C Ionian for you, music theory geeks out there). There are 8 steel tongues that produce 7 different notes, all found on the drum: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. The only repeating note is the tonic of the scale – C.
Major scales are best associated with positive feelings, relief, and cheerfulness. It is precisely what you get with the Flatsons Steel Tongue Drum. This percussive instrument will turn your personal meditation session into some quality “achieving inner peace” and “letting go of anxieties” time.
- Ethereal sounds
- Small form factor
- Great for small rooms and individual use
- Smaller and thinner sound
9. OcarinaWind Steel Tongue Drum
No products found.
The last but not least, OcarinaWind Steel Tongue Drum is a wonderful alternative to our top second pick. This brand manufactures tank drums and actual ocarinas. They are quite known for trying to bring the price down as much as possible to share the fun of musical instruments with everybody.
This percussion has the same small form factor that allows it to be easily transportable. Just like the other small tank drum on the list, this one is tuned to C major pentatonic too. The thing that distinguishes the two percussion pieces is the fact that OcarinaWind percussion is made with the precision of precision laser cutters to ensure the perfect tuning.
There are 8 tongues that give the full open pentatonic feel to experiment and play with. This percussion is incredibly multi-functional, as it can be applied to numerous situations, including music education, meditation sessions, psychological therapies, and more.
It is the most budget option when it comes to tank drums, so the build quality correspondingly drops a bit in this product. When you buy OcarinaWind Steel Tongue Drum, you will get in addition a pair of drumming mallets, a carry-on bag, and a tone sticker.
- Lightweight
- Compact size
- Very affordable
- Lower build quality
10. Muslady 5.5 Inch – Excellent Mini Drum for Beginners and Travellers
No products found.
The Muslady is a versatile manufacturer of musical instruments, accessories, and stage hardware, including some of the best radio systems, microphones, DIY guitar kits, and many more. This Chinese brand can brag about the decent quality of its products and relatively low prices.
Talking about the price, the Muslady 5.5-inch steel tongue drum for meditation is a bit more expensive than the 5.5-inch alternatives by other brands. I don’t know why the price is higher here, but the quality of the steel body is very satisfying as well as the clarity of its sound and tuning. The item comes perfectly pitched in the standard C Key. It’s very small, but all the basic 8 tongues are here, tuned at CDEFGABC, and numbered for easy navigation.
As the body is quite small, the drum has a sealed bottom for loudness. Along with the silicone bottom, it has 4 silicone legs for extra shock absorption. If you want to put the drum on a table or another solid surface, the vibration won’t cause any foreign noises.
- Excellent pearl finish;
- Finely tuned at C-major key;
- Shockproof silicone feet and bottom gasket;
- Small but loud;
- Nice bag design.
- There are cheaper 5.5-inch alternatives, but it’s of great quality;
- Alloy steel is of good quality but may stain if you scratch it.
Metal Tongue Drum Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the right tongue drum can be quite challenging as they all look quite similar at first sight. Of course, colors and patterns don’t affect the sound. So what should you look for? Let’s figure it out.
How do I choose a steel tongue drum?
The first and most important step is to pick up a drum model that has the right scale for your ears. It’s impossible to recommend any scale as all players have different tastes. The only true recommendation is not to buy a drum that doesn’t fully grab your attention and block it from other models in the store.
When you shop for a steel tongue drum online, like I usually do, you should do some research and find at least a couple of videos of people playing the same drum on the same scale. In most cases, the same scales by different manufacturers sound quite similar, but tonal differences can be critical too, so be attentive.
It is quite tricky to understand which scale is the best for you to start with. That’s why you should take the broadest selection possible and cross out those drums that don’t make you feel anything. One by one. You will understand which one is yours when 2-3 items will remain from the initial bunch.
What does a steel tongue drum sound like?
Although metal hand drums look a lot like hand pans, they are made of thicker steel. This leads to significantly longer sustained and smoother meditative sound. It’s comparable to a bell sound but without such a bright attack at the time you hit a tongue. Another good comparison is the sound of an empty propane tank. Actually, the original steel tongue drums were made only from these tanks, so it’s a natural similarity.
The sound of this instrument can also be described as magical, calming, ambient, and moderately loud. The thickness of metal lets you play a lot of melodies, but quick staccato tunes won’t sound as they should. Tongue drum music is always very smooth, letting you relax no matter what note sequences you play.
What is the best tongue drum?
I should mention that there’s no perfect choice that will match everyone’s taste. As for my favorite model, it’s Lomuty Steel Tongue Drum. Lomuty is one of the most respected brands in the industry. Its masters handcraft each of their tank drums and apply the best metal cutting and polishing technologies.
I also like that its instruments are versatile and let you change tunings, depending on your mood. They can also be tuned to the 432Hz reference pitch to bring you a more transcendent musical experience. Finally, Lomuty’s steel tongue drums are beginner-friendly and have all the tongues numbered, which is very convenient for learning how to play. In addition, the item comes in a convenient soft case with a couple of high-quality rubber mallets. I can’t guarantee that it will sound the best for you, so take a look at my tongue drum reviews above.
FAQ
The tongue steel drum surprises people more than any other musical instrument. Many questions from my readers are due to its mystery as well! Here are the answers you need.
How much does a tongue drum cost?
If you search for a steel tongue drum on Amazon, Etsy, or any other popular online marketplace, you will see that the prices for the instrument vary from $30 to $250. The price largely depends on the size of the drum. For example, most 5 and 6-inch models cost from $30 to $60, depending on the tongue drum kit. Standard 12-14” models usually come for $110 – $250.
The price mostly depends on the production complexity of each drum. Some smaller drums can cost even more than that if they have complicated engravings or press on them. The price may also vary, depending on the kit of accessories. Items that come with tuning magnets, mallets, custom cases, printed tutorials, and other stuff will usually cost a bit higher. Beginner-level models can cost very low, even with all these things included, though.
What is the tongue drum used for?
A hand steel drum is considered a percussion instrument from the idiophone family because it resonates without any additional resonators, strings, or anything else. Unlike classical drums, it’s much more suitable for solo performances. In most cases, people use these drums for relaxation on their own or in a circle with other players. Its sound is also suitable for meditation. You can concentrate on the object and play unhurried ambient sequences to reach the meditative state and unplug from the world.
These instruments are quite rarely seen in musical bands, but such application is possible. For example, Hang Massive has gained up to 50 million views on YouTube, playing their hang drum tunes along with electronic beats. I think that tongue drums can be successfully used in a similar way. Sometimes, I turn on some long meditation tracks on YouTube and improvise in the key. It’s very easy, so you should try it when you gain enough skill.
Where did the tongue drum originate?
The modern steel tongue drum is one of the newest musical instruments on Earth. Although it looks so mystical and alien, it was invented by Dennis Havlena in 2007. He took an average empty propane tank, an angle grinder, a welding machine, and a metal polishing nozzle to make it, and it turned out to be a huge success. Unlike its cumbersome predecessors (the 1990 Whale Drum and Tambiro), Havlena’s tank drum looked much more like a commercial product. Many brands have improved the original concept since then, which led to its enormous popularity worldwide.
The initial idea of the tongue drum throws us back to the Aztec civilization. Aztecs were the first who create log and tone drums with tongues. Later, similar slit drums were discovered in various parts of Africa, where tonal percussive instruments had always been a part of the culture and folk music.
Metal Tongues and Final Thoughts
You and I have gone through a number of great tank drums. I gave you my expertise, and hopefully, you have been inspired by all of this percussion and music theory talk. Music-making should not be a chore: it should be instinctive and fun. It is the reason why I think that this kind of simple musical instrument is important.
The tank drum allows people of all skill levels to express themselves musically and can create an incredibly freeing experience for any beginner drummer. In our contemporary world of always being online, and always on guard, such calming experiences are very important for our mental health.
Do you agree with my opinion? Please tell me in the comments below. I would love to hear what you think. Also, did you like the reviews? Were they complete enough, or did I miss something? Thanks for reading, and please share your ideas!
