The steel tongue drum is a captivating and unique musical instrument that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It belongs to the family of percussion instruments and is known for its enchanting, resonant sound. This instrument is relatively new, having been developed in the early 21st century, yet it has quickly found its way into the hearts of musicians and music enthusiasts alike.
The steel tongue drum typically consists of a flat, disc – shaped body made of metal, usually steel or a steel – alloy. Cut into the surface of the disc are several “tongues” of varying lengths and widths. These tongues are the key to the instrument’s sound production. When struck, each tongue vibrates at a specific frequency, producing a distinct pitch. The combination of these different – pitched tongues allows for a wide range of melodies and rhythms to be played.
Getting Familiar with Your Steel Tongue Drum
Instrument Anatomy
Before you start playing, it’s crucial to understand the parts of your steel tongue drum.
The Body: The main, usually circular or oval – shaped, metal disc is the body of the drum. It serves as the base for the tongues and also contributes to the overall resonance of the instrument. The size and thickness of the body can affect the sound quality and volume. A larger and thicker body may produce a more powerful and sustained sound.
The Tongues: These are the protrusions cut into the surface of the body. Each tongue is designed to produce a specific note. The length, width, and thickness of the tongues determine their pitch. Generally, longer tongues produce lower – pitched notes, while shorter tongues produce higher – pitched notes. Some steel tongue drums may have as few as 5 – 6 tongues, while more advanced models can have 10 – 15 or even more, providing a broader range of notes.
The Rim: The outer edge of the drum body is the rim. It can be used in some playing techniques, and it also helps in holding and supporting the instrument.
Tuning
Most steel tongue drums come pre – tuned. However, over time, due to factors like temperature changes, humidity, or rough handling, the tuning may shift slightly.
Using a Tuner: If you suspect that your drum is out of tune, you can use a digital tuner. There are tuners available specifically for percussion instruments that can detect the pitch of each tongue. Hold the tuner close to the tongue you want to check and strike the tongue gently. The tuner will display the pitch of the note and whether it is in tune or not.
Tuning Process: Tuning a steel tongue drum is a delicate process and usually requires some experience. If a tongue is flat (producing a lower pitch than it should), you may need to carefully shorten the tongue slightly. This can be done by filing down the end of the tongue very gradually. If a tongue is sharp (producing a higher pitch), you can add a small amount of weight to the end of the tongue, such as a small piece of adhesive – backed lead or a tiny clamp. However, it’s important to note that making significant changes to the tuning of a steel tongue drum can be difficult and may even damage the instrument if not done correctly. If you’re unsure about tuning, it’s best to consult an experienced instrument technician.
Choosing the Right Playing Accessories
Drumsticks or Mallets
Rubber – Tipped Drumsticks: These are a popular choice for playing the steel tongue drum. The rubber tip provides a soft, cushioned strike, which produces a warm, mellow sound. Rubber – tipped drumsticks are great for creating a smooth, flowing melody. They are also less likely to damage the surface of the tongues compared to harder – tipped sticks.
Wooden Mallets: Wooden mallets can offer a different sound quality. They produce a brighter, more articulate sound when striking the tongues. The type of wood used in the mallet can also affect the sound. For example, a mallet made of a dense wood like rosewood may produce a more focused and powerful sound, while a mallet made of a lighter wood like birch may give a slightly softer, more resonant tone.
Synthetic Mallets: There are also mallets made from synthetic materials. These can be designed to have specific characteristics, such as being very lightweight for quick, delicate playing or having a unique texture on the striking surface to create a different sound effect.
Hand Protection (Optional)
If you plan to play the steel tongue drum with your hands for extended periods, you may want to consider using some form of hand protection.
Fingerless Gloves: Fingerless gloves can protect your fingertips from getting sore or blistered, especially if you’re playing vigorously. They still allow you to have a good feel for the instrument and maintain dexterity.
Gel – Padded Finger Covers: These are small, gel – filled covers that fit over your fingertips. They provide a bit of cushioning when you strike the tongues, reducing the impact on your fingers.
Basic Playing Techniques
Holding the Steel Tongue Drum
Sitting Position:
On a Chair: Sit on a chair with your back straight. Place the steel tongue drum on your lap, with the rim resting on your thighs. Make sure the drum is stable and won’t slide around. The position of the drum should be such that you can easily reach all the tongues. If the drum is too big to fit comfortably on your lap, you can use a small table or a specialized percussion instrument stand.
Cross – Legged on the Floor: You can also sit cross – legged on the floor. Place the steel tongue drum in the space between your crossed legs. This position can give you a more grounded and centered feeling while playing. Adjust the angle of the drum so that the tongues are at a comfortable height for you to strike.
Standing Position:
Using a Stand: If you prefer to play standing up, you’ll need a suitable stand. There are stands available that are specifically designed for steel tongue drums. Place the drum on the stand at a height where you can comfortably reach the tongues. Adjust the angle of the drum on the stand so that it’s easy for you to strike each tongue with the right amount of force.
Striking the Tongues
Using Drumsticks or Mallets:
Grip: Hold the drumstick or mallet in your hand as you would for any percussion instrument. For a standard grip, place your thumb on one side of the stick and your fingers wrapped around the other side. The grip should be firm enough to control the stick but not so tight that it restricts the movement of your wrist.
Striking Motion: To produce a sound, bring the stick or mallet down onto the tongue with a controlled motion. The key is to use your wrist to generate the movement. Start with a gentle strike and gradually increase the force to see how it affects the volume of the sound. Aim to strike the center of the tongue for a clear, full – bodied note. Striking near the base or the tip of the tongue can produce different timbres, but for now, focus on the center.
Playing with Your Hands:
Finger Picking: Use your fingertips to gently pick or tap the tongues. Start with one finger, such as your index finger, and practice striking each tongue in sequence. As you get more comfortable, you can use multiple fingers to play more complex patterns. For example, you can use your index, middle, and ring fingers to play three different tongues simultaneously.
Hand Slapping: You can also use the palm of your hand to slap the tongues. This produces a louder, more percussive sound. When slapping, make sure to keep your hand relaxed and use a quick, sharp motion. Experiment with different parts of your hand, such as the heel of your palm or the fleshy part below your fingers, to see how they affect the sound.
Reading Music for the Steel Tongue Drum
Basic Music Notation
Staff and Notes: The steel tongue drum, like most musical instruments, uses the standard musical staff. The staff consists of five horizontal lines and four spaces. Each line and space represents a different note. The notes on the staff correspond to the pitches of the tongues on your drum. For example, if your steel tongue drum has a C – major scale, the note C may be represented by a line or space on the staff, and the corresponding tongue on your drum will produce that C note when struck.
Clef: The most common clef used for the steel tongue drum is the treble clef. The treble clef is placed at the beginning of the staff and indicates that the notes on the staff are in the higher pitch range. However, depending on the tuning and range of your specific steel tongue drum, other clefs may also be used.
Note Values: Just like in other music, notes in steel tongue drum music have different values. A whole note is the longest – lasting note and is usually represented by an open oval. A half note has half the duration of a whole note and is represented by an open oval with a stem. A quarter note has a quarter of the duration of a whole note and is represented by a filled – in oval with a stem. Understanding note values is essential for playing rhythms correctly.
Rhythm and Time Signatures
Time Signatures: Time signatures are written at the beginning of a piece of music, right after the clef. They consist of two numbers stacked on top of each other. The top number indicates how many beats are in each measure, and the bottom number indicates what kind of note gets one beat. For example, in 4/4 time, there are 4 beats in each measure, and a quarter note gets one beat. In 3/4 time, there are 3 beats in each measure, and a quarter note also gets one beat.
Rhythm Patterns: Once you understand time signatures, you can start learning rhythm patterns. A rhythm pattern is a sequence of notes and rests that make up a musical phrase. For example, a simple rhythm pattern in 4/4 time could be “quarter note, quarter note, half note,” which would be played as three beats. Practice playing different rhythm patterns on your steel tongue drum to improve your sense of rhythm.
Advanced Playing Techniques
Multiple Tongue Playing
Chords: Just like on a guitar or piano, you can play chords on a steel tongue drum. A chord is a combination of three or more notes played simultaneously. To play a chord, you need to strike multiple tongues at the same time. For example, if your steel tongue drum has a C – major scale, you can play a C – major chord by striking the C, E, and G tongues simultaneously. This requires some practice to ensure that you strike all the tongues with the right amount of force so that the chord sounds clear and harmonious.
Arpeggios: An arpeggio is a broken chord, where the notes of the chord are played one after the other in a sequence. For example, for a C – major chord, you could play the C, E, G notes in sequence, either ascending (C, E, G) or descending (G, E, C). Arpeggios add a flowing, decorative element to your playing and can be used to create beautiful melodies.
Dampening and Sustain Control
Dampening: Sometimes, you may want to stop a note from ringing out too long. This is called dampening. To dampen a note on a steel tongue drum, you can use your hand to gently touch the vibrating tongue. Place your hand on the tongue immediately after striking it, and the vibration will stop, cutting off the sound. Dampening can be used to create a staccato effect, where the notes are short and detached.
Sustain Control: On the other hand, if you want to make a note sustain longer, you can try to strike the tongue with a more controlled, flowing motion. Also, the material and construction of the drum can affect the natural sustain of the notes. Some drums may have a longer sustain than others. Experiment with different playing techniques to see how you can maximize or minimize the sustain of each note.
Creating Different Sounds and Effects
Flams and Ruffs: Flams and ruffs are advanced percussion techniques that can add excitement and complexity to your playing. A flam is a technique where you strike the tongue with a quick double – stroke, with the second stroke being softer and closer to the first. It gives a sense of emphasis and a bit of a “swelling” effect. A ruff is a more complex multiple – stroke pattern that can add a lot of texture to your playing. To execute a ruff, you need to practice coordinating multiple strikes in quick succession.
Ghost Notes: Ghost notes are very soft, barely audible notes that are used to add a sense of rhythm and fill in the gaps between louder notes. To play a ghost note on a steel tongue drum, you strike the tongue very gently, using just enough force to make a faint sound. Ghost notes can be used to create a more intricate and interesting rhythm.
Practice and Improving Your Skills
Setting Up a Practice Routine
Regular Practice Sessions: Set aside a specific time each day for practicing the steel tongue drum. Even if it’s just 15 – 30 minutes, regular practice is essential for improving your skills. Consistency helps your muscles develop the necessary memory and coordination for playing.
Warm – Up Exercises: Start each practice session with some warm – up exercises. This could include simple rhythm patterns, scales, or just basic striking techniques. Warming up helps to loosen up your hands and wrists and gets you in the right mindset for playing.
Goal – Setting: Set clear goals for each practice session. It could be learning a new rhythm pattern, mastering a particular chord, or improving your speed and accuracy. Having goals gives you a sense of direction and helps you track your progress.
Learning from Others
Online Tutorials: There are numerous online tutorials available for the steel tongue drum. YouTube is a great resource, with many channels dedicated to teaching steel tongue drum playing. Watch videos of experienced players, learn from their techniques, and follow along with their lessons.
Join a Community: Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to the steel tongue drum. These communities are full of enthusiasts who are willing to share their knowledge, offer advice, and provide support. You can ask questions, share your own experiences, and learn from others’ tips and tricks.
Take Lessons: If possible, consider taking lessons from a professional steel tongue drum teacher. A teacher can provide personalized feedback, correct your technique, and guide you through the learning process more effectively.
Conclusion
Playing the steel tongue drum is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. With its unique sound and relatively easy – to – learn nature, it’s an instrument that can bring joy to musicians of all levels, from beginners to advanced players. By understanding the instrument, learning the basic and advanced techniques, reading music, and practicing regularly, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful music with your steel tongue drum. So pick up your drum, whether it’s with drumsticks or your hands, and start exploring the wonderful world of the steel tongue drum.
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