Learn tongue drum for beginners

Thousands of years ago, our ancestors built instruments out of logs, sticks, bamboo and even animal bones. Even today, we are still creative and find new ways to create beautiful melodies. An example of a recently developed instrument is the tongue drum. Would you also like to know how to learn to play the tongue drum? Is it difficult to start? What do you need to consider if you are a beginner?

It is a percussion instrument and has grown in popularity since its development in the late 2000s due to its ease of playability, relaxing sounds, portability and unique UFO-like appearance. The tongue drum can be played very quietly - you might even be able to use it to lull your child to sleep. Then you can pick it up and move on to some meditative sounds to help ease the stress of the day itself!

This instrument from Sonodrum is of such good quality that you will want to pick it up straight away and start learning to play the tongue drum without having any previous musical knowledge! Here you can find out more about learning to play the tongue drum , what tips and tricks there are, and you will also find interesting information for advanced players . Have fun reading and playing the tongue drum!

Learning to play the tongue drum for beginners – which handpan material is suitable for beginners?

There are several different types of handpan , differentiated by the material they are made from. They can be made from steel, metal, alloy steel, or wood. Metal, steel, and alloy steel drums are most similar in sound, size, and shape. Metal tongue drums often have a corrosion-resistant coating that protects the drum from scratches.

The Sonodrum is no exception. We have it in stock in up to 14 different colors. The coating is scratch-resistant, which is particularly useful for people who are just learning the tongue drum and may be more aggressive with it. It can give you an extremely precise playing feel and the tones are crystal clear!

As for the steel tongues of the Sonodrum tongue drum, in order to quickly learn and enjoy playing the tongue drum , they are precisely cut, which creates a basic sound that is powerful but also ideal for meditative purposes. There are no unpleasant interference frequencies, as with other steel tongue drums, and the tongues are labeled so that learning to play the tongue drum is child's play.

Wooden tongue drums, on the other hand, tend to have a more natural look and are box-shaped rather than circular like the sonodrums. They can be made from many different types of wood, such as elm, spruce, mahogany, canary wood, cedar and others. The artisans usually do not varnish the wood, but seal the drum with natural oils and beeswax to preserve and showcase the natural beauty of the wood used.

Learn to play the tongue drum for beginners – tips and tricks!

Tongue drums are played either with your hands or with mallets/sticks. There are advantages and disadvantages to each style of playing. When you play with mallets or sticks, the mallets bounce slightly off the drum/sound box, resulting in a clearer, more resonant and deeper sound. Perhaps the most noticeable difference when playing with mallets is the amplification of the sound. Your tongue drum will sound much louder if you use mallets. However, some people prefer to play their tongue drum with their hands, especially when they are just learning to play the tongue drum.

There is no "wrong" position when playing on your lap, but there is a position that makes playing the instrument easier. By placing the lowest note closest to your body, you can move the scale upwards in a circular motion from left to right. Many tongue drums come with numbered stickers that you can use to mark the notes on the drum, making it easier to remember the position of the notes. Our Sonodrums come with numbered tongues. If you are a complete beginner on the tongue drum or any other musical instrument, we have put together some tips and exercises for you to enjoy your tongue drum to the fullest!

When you first get your tongue drum , you need to familiarize yourself with the instrument and get used to holding and playing it. To this end, we recommend the following exercises to help you learn to play the tongue drum quickly :

1. Play all the notes in a circular order, starting at any note.
2. Play the entire scale, starting with the lowest note and working your way up to the top note. You can also go back in the scale when you're finished.
3. Only play certain notes depending on your position. For example, only play notes on the left or right side of the drum. Or only play notes on the top or bottom of the drum.
4. Find two notes that complement each other. When played at the same time, it's called a chord. Play the chord repeatedly and follow it with another chord.
5. Create patterns and chords. Try playing certain patterns. Try playing notes in a certain pattern or playing two notes at the same time. Experiment with different melodies and sounds.
6. Experiment with the force. Try playing the drum gently at first and then a little harder/louder. Vary the intensity as you play.

You will soon be able to conjure up great sounds with the beginner's book, which contains many songs and is included with every Sonodrum, without even realizing how you learned to play the tongue drum so quickly.

Learning to play the tongue drum for beginners – how often do I have to practice?

Experimentation is key in the beginning! Have fun, make noise and explore your new instrument. If you practice a little every day, sooner or later you will be able to copy patterns and notes and even write your own compositions!

Learn the Lotus Drum – Exercises for Beginners

Simple steps to play a lotus drum - it is a tongue drum in a lotus shape and design. That's why the steps are very similar, they are like learning to play the tongue drum :

• Familiarize yourself with your instrument - The package has arrived and in front of you is this lotus drum. A round metal instrument with slots in the shape of lotus flowers on the top, perhaps colored, perhaps lacquered. First you need to position your tongue drum correctly. Since it is circular, this is not immediately obvious and there is NO correct positioning, but you will find that it is much easier if you make sure the lowest note is closest to your body.
• Playing with hands or mallets? - Whether you play your lotus drum with your hands or with mallets depends on several factors:
• Sound
• Size of the drum
• Level of skill

For beginners, mallets may be a better choice, especially for the smaller versions of lotus drums.

• Find the notes – We've already mentioned that you should position the lotus drum so that the lowest note is closest to your body when you're ready to play, and you've already played a little with mallets and hands, so it's time to find your notes and start some meaningful practice.
• Your tongue drum will be tuned to a scale. This scale is very simple and you will find it difficult to play a note that sounds bad after the previous one. This is fun and will encourage you to experiment. Play up and down the scale and then start playing single notes in patterns.
• You'll quickly learn to play chords (2 notes at the same time) and start your first compositions!
  
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Which songs are suitable to start with?

Since each tongue drum model is unique, it usually comes with a songbook that has popular songs arranged for that model. If you order a new tongue drum from a major online store like Sonodrum , it will come with instructions and a songbook. And not only that: on social media, you can find groups dedicated to the same model where players can share their own recordings and song notations.

You can often find more songs online to continue learning the tongue drum . But we can assure you that you will get a long way with the songbook that comes with the kit.

Tongue drum for beginners – is there a possibility to try out the handpan without obligation?

You can certainly try making some sounds on the tongue drum at your local dealer. If you order a tongue drum from Sonodrum, you can try it out and if you are not satisfied with the model, you can take advantage of the 30-day return guarantee . Sometimes you need a few days to get used to the instrument, so trying it out at a traditional dealer is not effective. It is better if you test the tongue drum at home in peace and get used to it. Learning to play the tongue drum is so quick that you will hardly want to give the instrument back within 30 days.

Playing the tongue drum for advanced players – Handpan workshops for creative stimulation

Learning to play the tongue drum never ends. You can always perfect the techniques and forms of expression. Have you reached a point where you think you can't improve? Then attend one of the workshops offered near you or find a group online with which you can get new creative inspiration and progress.

Here are some exercises that can also help you:

• Try muting the notes with your finger after you play them.
• Play with a mallet and your hands at the same time.
• You can also stuff the tongue drum with something soft to dampen or shorten all tones.
• Watch YouTube tutorials for complicated songs.

How long does it take until I become a “good” tongue drum player?

Becoming a "good" tongue drum player can take 20 to 30 hours of practice. This may sound surprising to some, but learning to play the tongue drum is really not difficult. It depends on your musical ear and whether you can already play other instruments. A complete beginner in the field of musical instruments could need up to 50 hours to become a good tongue drum player . This is still very little compared to other musical instruments!

Which instruments ideally accompany the tongue drum?

Which other instruments can a tongue drum be combined with? With a little imagination, the sound of the tongue drum can be complemented with all the instruments you find on the list (and many more):

•       any type of guitar
•       another handpan/ another tongue drum
•       Trumpet/ Saxophone
•       Calabash
•       Didgeridoo
•       Kalimba
•       Drum
•       violin
•       flute
•       harp

Conclusion

Learning to play the tongue drum and experimenting with it is a pleasure that you should definitely treat yourself to at least once in your life. You will soon be able to produce beautiful and relaxing sounds with the tongue drum. Even small children love playing melodies. The best thing about the tongue drum is that there is never a wrong note, so the instrument cannot get on your nerves, as could happen with a flute or xylophone in the hands of children .

Sonodrum offers tongue drums for beginners that offer a great price/performance ratio and that you will be very happy with, because they make learning to play the tongue drum so much easier. The included songbook will help you progress step by step and in just a few hours of practice you will become a good tongue drum player.