Tongue Drum 17 notes
A dance of harmonics, this Tongue Drum that you won't find anywhere else features a sweet marriage of octaves and fifths. It imparts deep, undulating vibrations, halfway between a handpan and a Tibetan bowl. With its 35cm diameter and 4.8kg, this instrument is a real sound composition tool.
From 680€ (Cover, mallets, and manual included)
The 17-note Tongue Drum is made up of crossed notes, each note is married to its octave and resonates in symbiosis. On the one hand the resulting vibrations are rich and deep, and on the other the musical possibilities are increased tenfold.
From its resonance a real undulation is produced, like a response between the different octaves of great power. Its sound is particularly soft and long, and the sound possibilities are multiple.
This instrument, although more difficult to master than its little brothers the 9 notes and the tunable, offers much greater possibilities and richness of play.
The central note, the Ding, is tuned with five harmonics, three octaves and two fifths. The circumferential notes are coupled with two octaves.
It is called 17 notes, because some notes are harmonics, a total of 30 notes are tuned on this instrument.
Many effects can be played on this instrument, the internal structure is designed to create strong metallic tensions, so very sensitive notes are responsive to a lot of modulation depending on the fingering.
It is possible to play on the undulations between the notes, to bring out very high harmonics like on a handpan, or to bring it into a crazy resonance like a Tibetan bowl.
It is a very vibrant instrument, it's not a handpan!
We are here on another dimension of the hanpan so well known and cherished, although its vibrations are very close, they are much deeper and longer.
The game that lends itself to it is not the same! The notes undulate between them and respond to each other in a much longer rhythm, you will have to adopt a patient touch and well-placed caresses to learn to benefit from its long vibrations, and to channel them when necessary.
Playing with hands is recommended!
A note resonates, then a second, to leave room for different sounds, this instrument requires careful physical contact which will calm the ripples before they mix too much. Very quickly with a little mastery, all its richness is revealed.
The 9-note Tongue Drum can be tuned to one of the ranges offered on our site in 432hz or 440hz. If you would like another range, do not hesitate to ask us!
Like all our creations, you can personalize your instrument yourself! We can make the engraving of your choice! The Tongue drum can also be equipped with a piezo microphone and become electro-acoustic!
17-note Tongue drum videos
Accessories
Cover
To carry it everywhere with you, the Tongue Drum comes with a coverPhellos Genesis.
The covers are padded and tailor-made for your instrument! In linen or cork and handmade, this French designer, striving to work in a short circuit and with respect for the environment, creates magnificent creations, combining robustness, practicality and beauty <3
If you wish, you can request customization of the cover.
Cork
A soft and removable cap is clipped under the instrument, this cap allows for a better sound experience, it also ensures good vibration of the instrument when placed on a hard surface.
It is possible to remove the cap to be able to move the small magnets placed on the notes in order to retune them if necessary.
In the case of a sound massage, with the instrument placed on the patient's stomach it is also preferable to remove the cap to better feel the vibrations, it is also more comfortable.
Mallets
A pair of mallets made by us is offered with the instrument. The mallets are made from chenille wool, they are both rigid for good resonance and very soft to avoid the sound of impact.
Avoid rubber or plastic mallets, the impact is very present and degrades the quality of the sound experience.
You can also play with your hands! A little training is necessary but it allows more possibilities as well as better vibration control!
Manual
A small user manual is delivered with the instrument, the location of the notes, the tuning technique as well as some advice are detailed there.
You can download a pdf version of the manual by clicking on the link below:
Optional: Piezo Microphone
A piezo microphone can be installed to amplify your instrument, use effects or make recordings. The microphone is glued with epoxy and covered with a thin layer of varnish for its longevity. This passive microphone is the same as those used in basses or electric guitars, it generates a low sound signal and must be used correctly to work well. A guitar or bass amp, or even a sound card is essential to achieve a correct result.
The advantage of this microphone is that it picks up the vibrations of the instrument, so it is not disturbed by the surrounding sound. It adds a lot of character to the impact sound on the instrument, new possibilities open up to you and adds a percussive character to the Tongue drum, by tapping on the side of the instrument for example.
