The steel tongue drum you can play with zero musical training
Is this the right fit?
- Best for
- meditation and wind-down routines, kids who bounce off a piano, and offices that want an instrument nobody has to learn
- Skip if
- Single-scale tuning is what makes it easy, but it also means you cannot play songs outside that scale
- Check before ordering
- Confirm the dimensions, exact model, included parts and return terms on the Amazon listing before ordering.
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The Panda Drum Plus is an 11-inch steel tongue drum, sometimes called a handpan, tuned so that every note on it belongs to the same scale. That means there are no wrong notes: hitting tongues at random produces something that sounds intentional, which is why these get handed to people with no musical background. The sandstone finish is textured rather than polished, so it does not fingerprint. It comes with mallets and a carry bag, and it plays with mallets or bare hands for two different tones. Best fit: meditation and wind-down routines, kids who bounce off a piano, and offices that want an instrument nobody has to learn.
Pros
- Tuned to a single scale so there are no wrong notes for a complete beginner
- Plays with mallets or bare hands for two distinct tones
- Textured sandstone finish resists fingerprints unlike polished steel drums
- Ships with mallets and a padded carry bag
Cons
- Single-scale tuning is what makes it easy, but it also means you cannot play songs outside that scale
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to read music?
No. Every tongue is tuned within one scale, so notes played in any order sound harmonious. Most people get something pleasant out of it in the first minute.
Can I play songs on it or only ambient sounds?
You can play simple melodies that fit within its scale. Anything requiring notes outside that scale will not be possible on a single drum.
Hands or mallets, which sounds better?
Mallets give a brighter, more defined attack. Hands give a warmer, softer tone with more sustain. Most players switch between the two.
Is it loud enough to bother neighbors?
It is roughly the volume of a spoken conversation, quieter than a guitar. Apartment use is generally fine.
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