Steel tongue drums are also known as hank drums, tank drums or just tongue drums. They are a new addition to the world of percussion instruments. There are many musicians who are still trying out different possibilities with this instrument as steel tongues have no wrong musical notes.
They are easier to play as well and if you know how to play even a single percussion instrument – then mastering steel tongues won’t be a difficult task for you. To help you explore, we have listed down some of the best steel tongue drums of 2024 in its category.
Table of Contents
- 1. Hapi Hdminidake Steel Tongue Drum
- 2. Hapi Hdminicmj Steel Tongue Drum
- 3. Double VibeDrum – StarDust
- 4. Hapi Hdslimgmj Steel Drum
- 5. Zenko Equinox Steel Tongue Drum
- 6. OcarinaWind 10 inches C Major Steel Tongue Drum
- 7. Hapi Hdomnigmj with Travel Backpack
- 8. Dobani Steel Tongue Drum
1. Hapi Hdminidake Steel Tongue Drum
This steel tongue drum is about 8 inches wide and 5.5 inches high. The total weight is about 3.4 lbs and the construction uses a mixture of different alloys. This steel tongue is manufactured by HAPI that is one of the most well known brand manufacturing steel tongues.
Pros
- A compact size helps produce loud, rich and high quality sound tones.
- The construction also helps in the production of the best sound tones possible.
- This steel tongue can be used by a variety of professionals to play soothing tones.
- There are additional accessories included like mallets, a travel bag and an instruction booklet.
Cons
- The price might be a little higher for many.
This steel tongue has all the features that a professional musician will enjoy but this does not mean that beginners should shy away from this product. The steel tongue is easier to play and therefore anyone could play the same.
2. Hapi Hdminicmj Steel Tongue Drum
This steel tongue is similar to the one above but only differs in a slightest way. Instead of D Major pentatonic scale, this one is based on C Major pentatonic scale. It is similar in all other aspects except this major one. The musical tones here therefore are completely different than the one above.
Pros
- A compact size helps produce loud, rich and high quality sound tones.
- The construction also helps in the production of the best sound tones possible.
- This steel tongue can be used by a variety of professionals to play soothing tones.
- There are additional accessories included like mallets, a travel bag and an instruction booklet.
Cons
- The price might be a little higher for many.
This steel tongue has all the features that a professional musician will enjoy but this does not mean that beginners should shy away from this product. The steel tongue is easier to play and therefore anyone could play the same.
3. Double VibeDrum – StarDust
There is a personalized touch in steel tongues produced by VibeDrum. This musical instrument has a bright blue color and has a meditative sound quality.
Pros
- The manufacturer is friendly and produces superior quality steel tongues.
- This steel tongue is zinc plated, giving it extra stability and durability.
Cons
- There are no specific cons to this product.
Weighing about 6.6 pounds and having a length, breadth and height of 14, 14 and 8 inches respectively, this steel tongue is easily portable and easy to play. Literally anyone can play and you don’t have to be a musician to learn this instrument.
4. Hapi Hdslimgmj Steel Drum
This steel tongue has a G Major pentatonic scale and is very easy to play. Even people with no background or experience in music can play this instrument quite easily.
Pros
- Another great thing about this steel tongue is that it is made completely of steel and therefore is very durable.
- There are additional accessories included when you buy this product. They include an instruction booklet, a travel bag and mallets to play the drum.
- There are a variety of ways you can use this instrument like for yoga sessions, mediation or when you just want to relax.
Cons
- There are no major cons except this steel tongue costs a little more than others
Overall, this steel tongue about 12 inches wide and 6 inches tall is black, has a stone like texture that further protects the exterior and is really easy to learn and play.
5. Zenko Equinox Steel Tongue Drum
ZENKO EQUINOX is a trusted manufacturer that produces high quality steel tongues with additional accessories like a carrying bag, an instruction manual and mallets.
Pros
- There are nine notes available and that means more music variation for music lovers.
- The weight is 2.8 kg; the playing diameter is about 32 cm and a height of 13 cm.
Cons
- There are no specific cons.
There is a lot of research done before coming up with Zenko line of tongue drums. From the construction to the sound tones, everything has been carefully examined and implemented. Therefore, if you are looking for high quality, this is the steel tongue for you.
6. OcarinaWind 10 inches C Major Steel Tongue Drum
This steel tongue has a diameter of 9 inches and has a high quality of steel in its construction. The drum has about eight notes in both the 4th and 5th octave. Also, there are a variety of colors in which this steel tongue is available.
Pros
- The steel tongue is made of high quality steel, making it very durable.
- The steel tongue comes with two rubber pods and a carrying bag for your convenience.
Cons
- The price tag might be expensive for some.
Overall, this is a good quality steel tongue with many features that every music lover will like.
7. Hapi Hdomnigmj with Travel Backpack
HAPI produces stellar steel tongues and one of them is this model that comes with a travelling backpack for music travelers. The dimensions of this steel tongue are about 15 inches wide, 5 inches high with a weight of about 7.5 lbs.
Pros
- This HAPI steel tongue comes with mallets, an instruction booklet and a travel backpack.
- The shape is unique because it is very different from the traditional tongue steel drum.
Cons
- The price range is a little on the higher end but the quality totally justifies the price tag.
Overall, this steel tongue drum can be used to play a variety of different musical notes very easily. It is ideal for both professionals and beginners alike.
8. Dobani Steel Tongue Drum
DOBANI 12-Inch Steel Tongue Drum comes with a tanpura tuning and has an antique bronze finish. Professionals and novice musicians will both like this beautiful musical instrument.
Pros
- There are eight notes available and that gives scope to music variation.
- It comes with a soft case and has two beaters.
Cons
- The cost of the steel tongue is more than others listed here.
Overall, this is a great investment for both people who play music professionally and those who have no music background.
Conclusion
Steel tongue drums come in a variety of notes and though this is of no consequence for people with no background in music, professional musicians can take note. The other category is beginners and people only looking for a fun instrument to play with and for them, Double VibeDrum – StarDust might be a good choice. Professionals can choose either products from HAPI like HDMINIDAKE Tongue Drum Mini Steel Percussion Instrument – D Akebono or ZENKO EQUINOX steel tongue.
