Featuring Tuned to Scale Tongue Drums Handcrafted by Steve Roberts  steve@tonguedrum.com

History of the Tongue Drum

The Tongue Drum is one of the world's oldest known instruments. They have been a part of African, Asian and South American cultures for thousands and thousands of years. These drums were first made from hollowed out trees which were struck with sticks to create tones. Considered an idiophone, the only instrument older is the human voice itself. The tongue drum may also be considered a lamellaphone, since the tongues vibrate at one end, and are connected to a base at the other end.

In some African cultures a tongue drum language developed. This language system was based on different pitches, rhythms and variations of sound. Tongue drums also had a wide variety of functions within these cultures, from story telling to beating out war cries over long distances.

Over time, these drums have developed into the modern versions found today. These modern instruments now include tunings, most commonly Western tunings, found in music throughout the world.

Tongue drums are known by many different names including Xylodrums, Log Drums, Slit Drums, Harmonic Drums.

The sounds created by well-crafted tongue drums are simply impossible to duplicate. They possess a melodic primality found in no other instrument. From haunting sounds in minor scales, to upbeat major scale tunings, tongue drums are an acoustic marvel.