Featuring Tuned to Scale Tongue Drums Handcrafted by Steve Roberts We're here to help you select the perfect tongue drum.  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.

In some African cultures a Tongue drum language developed. This language system was based on varied pitches, rhythms and tensities of sound.

Tongue drums also had a wide variety of functions within different cultures from story telling to beating out war cries over long distances. Tongue drums are known by many different names including Xylodrums, Log Drums, Slit Drums, Harmonic Drums.

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

The sounds created by well crafted tongue drums are simply impossible to duplicate. From haunting sounds in minor scales, to upbeat major scale tunings, tuned to scale tongue drums are an acoustic marvel.