What are the differences between the handpan and the tongue drum?

Are you interested in percussion instruments? If so, you may have heard of the handpan and the tongue drum. But what are the differences between the handpan and the tongue drum ?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions we face on a daily basis. Many customers want to know what the differences are between these two instruments and which instrument better suits their needs.

It is not a war, but a comparison between the handpan instrument and the similar, but at the same time very different, steel tongue drum.

In this blog post, we will explain the differences between the two instruments and discuss the benefits of each to help you decide which one is right for you!

Two diatonic instruments

First, let's talk about the term diatonic: Diatonic refers to the diatonic scale. There are several types of scales in music. The most commonly mentioned is the chromatic scale , which contains the notes of every other scale played in Western music. But there is also another, the diatonic scale.

What exactly is a diatonic scale? A good way to illustrate this would be to play every white key on a piano, starting with the note C. This produces a C major scale, which is diatonic, meaning it consists of seven notes arranged at specific intervals. Diatonic scales are often called "natural" scales because they sound the most natural to the ear. They consist of five whole tones and two half tones arranged in various patterns.

This is exactly the case with the handpan and tongue drum , which is why they can produce such magical sounds and you can never play a wrong note. If you are a beginner, we strongly advise you to take a look at our handpan music book or the instructions for our steel tongue drum. These will immediately help you to understand the instruments better.

Differences in the playing style of tongue drum and handpan

Both are steel drums , but are designed in very different ways:

• The handpan is a membrane instrument. It has a solid surface with dimples and bumps without piercing the steel.
• The tongue drum has a surface that is not solid. It has steel tongues cut into the steel of the instrument.

Some may argue that playing a handpan is very different from playing a tongue drum, except for the use of mallets, but that's not really the case. You can play with both hands, using different areas - the fingers, the thumbs, the wrists and the palms - on both instruments.

Hands or mallets?

We do not recommend playing a handpan with mallets. If you do not yet know exactly what you are doing and if you do not know your handpan and its limitations, we do not recommend using mallets. It would be quite easy to damage your handpan by using mallets, especially if they are used incorrectly. If you prefer playing with mallets, then it is better to opt for a tongue drum, especially when you are starting to make music. Another option would be to find a cheap used handpan so that you can play with mallets. Unfortunately, used handpans are almost as expensive as new ones.

It can be difficult to learn the style and playing technique of the handpan or tongue drum. This instrument is not really a drum, and you should not hit it like one to try to produce sounds. It is not a djembe or bongo , the flat of the hand will not produce a large sound, and more delicate but precise strikes with the fingers and thumb will produce beautiful sounds. A handpan for beginners in music might be more difficult to play than a tongue drum, simply because of the size.

A difference in size and weight

Given the overall size difference, there is also a noticeable weight difference. A handpan is usually larger and therefore heavier.

Handpans weigh between 3 and 8 kilograms . There are hardly any differences between most handpans, as they have roughly the same dimensions and are made of equivalent materials regardless of the manufacturer.

How much does a steel tongue drum weigh?

Tongue drums can weigh between 800 grams and 4.5 kilograms. This depends on both the size of the instrument and the materials used in its manufacture. We have drums in the following sizes (diameter): 14 cm, 20 cm, 33 cm and 35.6 cm. Therefore, the weight differs depending on the tongue drum you choose.

A different sound

Basically, despite some similarities, they are two completely different musical instruments. Handpans have a clearer, magical sound and a smooth sound with a medium to high range of sustain (resonance). Whereas the tongue drum has more of a blurry sound with a long sustain. So the sound field or the notes you play will be completely different.

As you may have noticed from videos, handpans and tongue drums produce different music. It's important to remember that the biggest notable difference between handpans isn't even the scale, but the number of notes. While most handpans have between 7 and 10 notes, the variety comes from the additional sound fields (up to about 21) that can be placed on both the upper and lower halves of the instrument.

Tongue drums, on the other hand, come in a variety of sizes, colors, shapes of sound fields, patterns, etc. They usually have between 6 and 9 notes.

Disadvantages of the handpan

Handpans can be played much louder than tongue drums and for many people, they have a magical sound that draws them in. But there are also some disadvantages that you should definitely consider, especially if you haven't yet decided whether you would prefer a tongue drum or a handpan:

Disadvantages of the handpan

• It is more expensive than a steel tongue drum
• Handpans that are not made of stainless steel can rust.
• They are more sensitive - can go out of tune more quickly.
• They can be heavy and therefore complicated to transport.
• Sensitive to heat (sun!).
• Handpans should be retuned approximately every 1-6 years (depending on playing style/handling and manufacturer/material)

Conclusion: Which instrument is better?

While we wouldn't say any place in the world is unsuitable for either instrument, climate is a consideration for each instrument.

Extreme heat and direct sunlight are things to avoid with handpans . It can and will warp the steel, and while it's hot, damage can occur. Since these instruments are made of steel, humidity can be a problem, as can salt if you live near the coast. Steel rusts. It's thought that nitrided steel is more susceptible to rust as well, so keep all of these things in mind.

When buying tongue drums, also take into account that super cheap instruments are not as durable as quality products under these circumstances. Due to the slots in the steel, tongue drums have a larger surface area and therefore more areas that can be attacked.

One instrument doesn't necessarily make more beautiful music than the other, it's just a matter of taste. It's like the violin and the cello. Both are string instruments, both produce a beautiful sound, but you'll easily be able to tell the difference in sound . So it really depends on which sound you prefer.