10" Inch Vs. 6" Inch Steel Tongue Drum Comparison/Demo

Hopefully this helps someone when deciding which size steel tongue drum to buy from Amazon or anywhere else. The pros of the smaller one are its portability but the big one is still light and just gives more of that deep ethereal tone that I wanted in the drum in the first place.
Which one do you guys like more? The 6" inch 8 tone drum or the 10" inch 11 tone drum?
These drums are from Aliexpress. You can order them from amazon as well.
#Steeltonguedrum #Handpan #Tankdrum

[@MrSwain9415]

They both sound great, I’d keep them both.

[@MoCaineal]

The 6 inch sounds like handbells. Would be great for Christmas music. I like it.

[@DylanFerno]

Agreed!

[@rookmaster7502]

Having both is best!

[@synthonaplinth5980]

Frankly, they both sound amazing.

[@kevycoldcuts]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYKln4aKqamBjLM

[@beaulieuonnp593]

they certainly too. I have the six already but the 10 is nice

[@joyceleigh1]

I agree. I have a small one. I will eventually get the bigger one as well. I Also have a Kalimba and next week I plan to get a Tabla. The store is local so I won't have to get it shipped. Yaay 😎

[@nadialaurin1298]

I definitely would keep they both since they sound completely different. I like the higher sound waves from the little one, but also the smoothness of the bigger one. They both serve different purposes.

[@vampyros1]

The higher notes of the small one does not mean it’s less “smooth”. In fact, it sounds smoother to my ears.

[@TheBeatGoesOn64]

Dude I have both these as well and some other sizes. I play them all at the same time like it's a great big steel tongue drum set 😂 and yes the size of the tongue matters LOL

[@harrylane4]

@@vampyros1 every comment thread has to have an annoying contrarian

[@vampyros1]

@@harrylane4 And an insecure lemming who's intimidated by a different perspective.

[@songbird9341]

this video is super helpful; i was wondering what the difference in sound would be like, and this direct comparison provided just that info! i agree with you, the smaller one sounds lovely, but the larger one has those deep, hypnotic tones that just make the drum sound that much more soothing~

[@DylanFerno]

Glad it was helpful. Hope you get a nice one!

[@sillyjellyfish2421]

Basically, it's not about the size of the drum itself but about the size of the tongue

[@sillyjellyfish2421]

The basic idea is that the bigger the tongue is the heavier and the slower it vibrates aka produces the deeper tone. But big drums are better not only for the ability to acomodate lower tones but also, if you wish to keep higher pitches, for having more surface space for more tones. The small one in this case covers just a single octave (8 tones) of a single scale. The bigger one covers 1 and half octave (11 tones). Of course, drums that look the same can still have different sounds due to being tuned to different scales. I'm not going to go deeper into the music theory but the point is - before you buy a drum, find out what scale it is tuned to and at which pitch then try listening to that scale even if it's played by a different instrument to get the general feeling it gives you.

[@keriboehm740]

As a musician, I think the 6-inch is nice for beginners on tongue drum, it allows them to get use to the set up and kind of gives them a basic and simple layout. It sounds good. However, the 10-inch has a deeper sound and resonation, which makes sense, it's bigger. I think the small one is ideal for people like me, who have never played a percussion instrument and therefore we just need something simple to practice and play on until we are ready for the bigger ones. And some people like the small one simply for meditative simplistic purposes. Both drums have nice sound and can be used for different things, I just think the smaller one is ideal for true beginners. :)

[@DylanFerno]

Interesting take. They do both have their own sound and purposes. The big one is still only 10 notes and they are both one scale so you can't really play a wrong note. But I agree the limits of the smaller one may be better for beginners to learn basic patterns without getting carried away

[@lisascalabrini7359]

Honestly, I love both of them.

[@FuturesPast1]

I actually like the sounds on the smaller one. It is louder sounding and prettier. I like the bell like music box sounds coming from it.

[@kennethschweighardt4920]

BOTH!!!!! They are beautiful.

[@hungryhippo1851]

The small one sound really cute too.

[@1111guru]

I think you can play both at the same time as they seem to have a completely different tone. Anyway the small one is great for just taking to the beach or park

[@DylanFerno]

Yes exactly. Although the bigger one is very portable as well

[@netsonmusic]

agree totally

[@suebabyblue168]

My thoughts exactly 😂

[@boniw698]

Wonderful sounding. I love the small one.

[@thecognitivedissonant3606]

Definitely would keep both myself, as they are complementary and unique

[@lonely_ghost9857]

I have a 10" one and it's really nice tbh. I'm looking at more on Amazon just to play around with different ones whenever i feel like it. Been a drummer for 5-6 years and this is one of the best instruments I've ever bought Good for meditation to take ur mind off of things and fun to just mess with wherever you go

[@DylanFerno]

Really nice instruments I agree. I have a few of them now. Must be nice to play as a drummer

[@midnight4569]

Heyyy I saw you in another video! Hi from an internet stranger lol

[@lonely_ghost9857]

@@midnight4569 lol heyo

[@nabilinho]

I’d combine both cause together you get a broader range.

[@jusmecmp]

Both have a unique sound. Both have their spot in music. Be interesting to figure out a song using both? I love them. Thanks for sharing this.

[@f20zlk2000]

I think they are both pretty, but if I had to pick, I'd go for the sound of the bigger one as well.

[@degenwow]

thanks for the comparision

[@keysmash723]

perfect video. I have been looking for a side-by-side comparison

[@sherizuech6562]

I just bought the 10 inch. Arrives in a few days. Thanks for showing us this. I've never played one before but glad I bought the bigger one to learn with, I like the sound much better on the bigger drum.

[@DylanFerno]

You're Welcome! Hope you enjoy your drum :)

[@atomatman3104]

ILL BUY THE LITTLE ONE.

[@TingleTom]

Especially on the big one I think the high tones don't sound as clean and clear as they do on expensive tongue drums but I would still prefer the bigger deeper one for its mellower sound. Both sound pleasant in a different way though.

[@MysticVillageSoundHealing]

The mallet that he used are also different. Soft rubber allows for soft sound or more Bass

[@aleafox1675]

That is good to know.

[@MiscToddley]

It's been awhile, but if I remember right, the 6 inch played using the hand will sound more like the 10 inch with the mallet.

[@atrac88]

The 6" sounds great for calming babies.

[@purplegothicqueen]

I think the both are very pretty. The bigger one with obviously is louder and perhaps easier to play because the tongues are larger. The smaller one sounds like bells I had a little one for Christmas but can not play it nearly as good as you.

[@aleafox1675]

I was thinking the same thing. I think the smaller one would be amazing if played along with other instruments, but I'm not too happy with the sound alone. I like the deeper sound as a single instrument. That just me. Personal taste. LOL

[@captainsplash11]

I think they could complement each other when played together!

[@joshuamorris4565]

I'm looking at these for my kids right now - my daughter is 10 and has been playing piano for 4 or 5 years now, and she is very musically inclined. My Son is 11, and feels a bit left out in the music aspect. He's got so many things going on interest-wise, but doesn't want to go through all of the work that his sister has done. I thought that this might be a fun thing for him to jump into to kind of break the musical seal of sorts (plus, it's a sound that is always pleasant and soothing no matter how you play it, lol!) I agree with the other commenters - both the big and small have their own charm, and sound very complementary to other instruments. Thanks for the review!

[@DylanFerno]

Glad this was useful to you. I hope this will help kick start your sons' interest. It's true that you don't need any musical knowledge to get great sounds from this but of course it helps so I hope your daughter will get a kick out of it as well. Enjoy!

[@joshuamorris4565]

@@DylanFerno - for sure! I just ordered one today (actually for my daughter's birthday), but I know that my son will end up playing with it as much or more than she will in the end. I hope that it will bring them together to have fun making some music. I also bought another handheld instrument for her - I guess they call it a hand piano, but really it's a series of metal prongs attached to a wood base - it also has a great sound and is fun to mess with - I started playing with it and didn't want to put it down!

[@DylanFerno]

Sounds like you got a Kalimba! Also keep in mind that you can tune these drums to different scales with magnets and you can plug them into amplifiers if they get bored. They are very versatile!

[@TinaIley]

Thank you so much, very helpful.

[@Darth-Nihilus1]

I think they both have a place, I have a 4 inch I got at guitar center and I play it while walking around. I want an 8 or even a 10 inch next. Fun little things

[@lazymusician10]

I went from looking at Celtic Lyre's to now tongue drums. I like how they both sound though, I would get the smaller one cause I've never played the drums before. So it would be a nice learning experience and plus it would be convenient to carry around a six inch. 😊

[@DylanFerno]

Yes it is easier to carry around but the 10 inch is also very portable. The 6 inch is a little easier to learn but I outgrew it very quickly. Anyway you can't go wrong. Cheers!

[@EvilEves1]

I did same thing with buying small one first and then buying a bigger one. I keep the small one to carry in my back pack when hiking.

[@DylanFerno]

Awesome! I find the bigger ones are still quite portable but that is one advantage of the mini for sure

[@RelaxingMusic-xy4jl]

Styles large and small are completely different listening experiences and both are appealing

[@lisabeckstrom9594]

Thanks for the comparison, I just ordered my steel drum. I hope it's not too small! 😮😊

[@AAAASMAR]

Nice, thanks for sharing

[@synthiamiller5990]

I think they both sound amazing. That may just be me though. Anyways..... I ordered the 6 inch Tongue drum from Idiopan and will be ordering the other sizes in the future. I am doing this because of the range of notes that each drum can cover ( in addition to that Idiopan drums can be hooked up to an amplifier if you have the one with the pick up on it. They are also tuneable with neodymium magnets - see Molly khan’s KZbin videos on magnetic tongue drum tuning)(Yours May be tuneable as well- if magnets can stick to them then yes) Ability to tune will greatly broaden the note range on the drum. I am interested in playing songs that are a bit more complex than the little simple improvised ones that people normally do, so I need a broader range of notes that more than one drum can offer. I guess that’s why I’m partial to both your 6 inch and 10 inch drums.

[@DylanFerno]

Cool makes sense! I've seen some of those videos by Molly and the Idiopans look cool. Like you said, I find any steel tongue drum is quite easy to tune with magnets, (not sure if the Idiopan is even easier) and also any steel tongue drum can become electric with a magnetic or stick on pick up mic (they don't need to have a built in jack). They are much more versatile instruments than they seem!

[@roxyloveslucy]

I love both. Probably need both to do many songs

[@victorious276]

I like the big one, too. ⚫🥁

[@derekplus]

Well, I'm sold!

[@josecaraballo764]

Both sound good to me. It's just a personal preference

[@DylanFerno]

Agreed. But if you are looking for a deep ethereal tone, you can only get that from the bigger ones

[@777sgiles]

I’d keep both.

[@NickSheridanVids]

Thanks, the 6 inch sounds too much like some of my marimba for me, so I think I'll look for a larger one

[@WilliVorbild]

Thank you! Exactly what the average every day normal guy wanted to hear. Vielen Dank danke sehr, schöne Grüße, Stefan.

[@DylanFerno]

Danke, Glad it was useful!

[@BluePlanetTube]

Both nice ...good pair

[@beaulieuonnp593]

This video is exactly I want. I already have the six inch one

[@amaragarwal5701]

So which one would you suggest for beginner like me ?

[@justgods8908]

Thanks for saving me a lot of money!

[@etype-o-negativ3874]

Oh nice sound ♡ Love from Japan. 🗻🌸👘🍣🍜🎌🚅🗼🗾

[@DylanFerno]

Thank you! love from Canada 🇨🇦

[@XantiaD]

Both are lovely. And they sound as if they are tuned to different keys. I'd keep both.

[@DylanFerno]

They are actually both meant to be C major!

[@thirdeyesurvivor3886]

I just purchased a 14” one and I’m curious about the 8 inch ones.

[@aleafox1675]

I was looking for something like this, I wanted to hear what they sounded like and a comparison of the size and models of the instrument. It was so difficult to find anything. I read that the larger they are the deeper the tone. I spent a chunk of money on a 14 inch 15 key Tongue Drum. To me after listening to some examples of smaller ones, I thought it sounded like an old empty gas can being pounded on. However, others had a good ring but a bit too high of a pitch for my taste. If you want to learn any musical instrument it has to sound good or you won't learn on it, you'll just put it aside. Anyway, I'm so excited to get it. I can't find a sound example of the one I purchased anywhere. Guess I'll make a video and post it somewhere when I get the instrument. I've got a good feeling about the instrument though. What I really want is a Hand Pan, but the price is way too much for my pocket. I guess I need to start saving!

[@DylanFerno]

Hope you like the drum you get! I personally like the 10 or 12 inch ones better than the even bigger ones but they are super cool also! I wanted a handpan also but now I want a Guda double drum! ya so expensive tho!

[@kellyleej]

I’d tried different sizes at a manufacturer’s display, and they informed me that the type of metal alloy the instrument is made of also has an effect on the texture of the sound. I personally find copper ones more pleasing to the ears💕😌👂

[@angelrocco2024]

oooh thanks for this just noseying videos on this Tounge drum cause i also have a 9 yr old that would love it too so bigger :) definetly in this case

[@bjwzwart]

Use both like a set dude sounds awesome btw

[@awesomeguy8292]

both have their place I think

[@wildman2012]

They both have a nice tone; depends on your mood, I guess!

[@bluesness]

The smaller one os just an octave of the same scale at the bigger one...tats why its sounds more tinkerbell like than the big one...so I would take both. :)

[@jamescoady9495]

Personally id keep both, its all about what key and octave theyre in, not necesarilly their size

[@lavenderrose28]

10 inch is by far more soothing

[@mothersgauri4137]

Wish there was a link for these exact drums to purchase on Amazon.

[@chrisf.b.1056]

Why not use both? I think there is potential for harmony with both drums.

[@ViVandrarVidare]

It would be really nice to know what tune the big one is in. Because it sounds amazing and I want one now. ☺️

[@DylanFerno]

C major!

[@anthonyrussell1129]

Both are cool but them being a fixed tuning ruins it for me. I sprung for the aquapro 11 tunable tongue drum and love it. Easy to change the scale and emits a beautiful tones.

[@DylanFerno]

I've never heard of that one sounds great! These tongue drums are tunable with magnets as well. But you can only lower the notes by a semitone not raise them

[@bhdej8799]

Why not keep both and play both at the same time to create beautiful music pieces!!

[@StarCoded]

I reckon they would complement each other beautifully - together, simultaneously! And I would like to know - are they tuned to C Major or D Major?

[@DylanFerno]

These drums are both C Major!

[@StarCoded]

@@DylanFerno - - Thank you.

[@freddywulf2024]

Trying to recreate the Javenese Gamelan tone, the 6 inch with the finger hammer is as close as I have found....I HOPE the sound like they do in the Vid...

[@prasadkulkarni7066]

can you please mention where to buy and which brand is that if reply it will be really helpful...love from india

[@DylanFerno]

These are generic brand tongue drums. Most of the ones on Amazon or Ali Express are made in the same factory. Just check the reviews before buying online and it'll be fine 🙂

[@akimon321]

Hi, which (bigger one) tongue drum do you have? It sounds stunning. I saw a-dur, c-dur, d-dur and h-dur.

[@MatthewSwasta]

were they tuned exactly to each other...would have been nice to hear them in tandem

[@DylanFerno]

They are both in C major!

[@fabricioaf89]

It would be interesting to play a duo

[@natepowell1914]

Porque no los dos? If they play in a similar key just learn to play them side by side

[@DylanFerno]

Si, puedes hacerlo tambien. Buena idea. They are both in C major so it can work

[@mrs.collins978]

What brand of tongue drum are they? I'm looking for one that doesn't sound so tinny and these, even the 6" has a decent sound

[@DylanFerno]

Not sure the brand but these are mass produced tongue drums ordered from Ali Express. They are the same quality as ones you'd get on Amazon. Hand made drums are better made but more expensive. Check out Kosmosky and Guda drums if you wanna compare these to really high quality steel tongue drums. I still play with these ones a lot tho

[@markolesnik3211]

Tongle Zen 14 Pentag Because Line from the Under has lokk Like pentagram . Maybe

[@markolesnik3211]

Who nou actuallyply with dontt presherd techic for relax soft frontal bud from finger and Under hand One left side and right Hand has 10 touc ring and with shapei to touc drumm.actually when brain send impulse 6second early hand move or fingers actually.its keS What design form your Space for left right,lilike Ping Pong.If I has 20 years practic with drumm.am I potencial can be pacient for Alzheimer.Buahahahhha.Roll baby

[@aleafox1675]

I had read the larger the diameter the deeper the tone.

[@markolesnik3211]

10 inch for you.You need Strong intuiicion finding Line paralele Rover and you fill amazing. Se Hy I Can produce soft Space notes,and chennging the Hand Dance with him.First time i think Hand pan but they fund me Under Ned where sleping

[@shmuel7706]

I can please the link for the big one???

[@DylanFerno]

m.aliexpress.com/item/1005001633256511.html?spm=a2g0n.orderlist-amp.item.1005001633256511&aff_trace_key=b11a5637222d47fa9d740a66d8caaca2-1610557821504-08550-UneMJZVf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=7032amp-p6OHxFD_VRJOJHOY7zwHbw1612140453261&browser_id=e76b70cd93544af3933ea9707c959561&is_c=N

[@pitbullzkid]

The small one doesn't sound bad tho

[@JohnMark61355]

It is like comparing a flute to a trombone or a snare to a Tom. It is not which is better; they are in different registers. Both instruments sound good in their respective sound range..

[@DylanFerno]

I agree! But if you only have a budget for one, you still gotta make that choice :)

[@voonleeyap7702]

Hi there, I think the sound of the smaller one not bad, you may keep both! Did you sell the smaller drum?

[@tinekehorst1178]

Ik vind die kleine zo vrolijk klinken,zijn net een soort van belletjes,die ander heeft een mooi diep geluid(heb ook 2 hele mooien met een diep warm,meditatief geluid)maar heb nu ook een kleine besteld 6 inch g minor,die hoord er nog bij en dan stop ik met kopen,thnks.

[@twitch2927]

Dam.... i made the mistake of gettin the 6 inch and am no longer lookin forword to my package showing up

[@DylanFerno]

Yea sorry that happened to me too. Ended up selling the small one, but you may find a use for it too

[@captainsplash11]

Amazon sells these at an equitable price!

[@blackattackcat]

different sound. I prefer the richness of the 10. thanks.

[@elodiemercier2502]

What company are they from? Is the bigger one much heavier than the smaller one? I was thinking of getting one I could carry around when going in the woods

[@DylanFerno]

Not sure the brand but these are mass produced tongue drums you can buy on Amazon and Aliexpress. The larger one is just under 2 kg and of course 10 inches in diameter so they are both very portable and they come with travel bags

[@silkcha]

Охеренно, спасибо!

[@h66678]

can you please tell me the name of the product on Amazon?

[@victrix7451]

10 inch gives me spore vibes ngl

[@DylanFerno]

Not sure what that means but I dig it lol

[@dawncrow5120]

You could play them together...

[@larcoal2963]

Ya, two totally different tonal offerings there... I'd keep both.

[@joycemarcus3430]

is the 10" a Vevor and the Scale D Major? I'm looking to purchase it!

[@DylanFerno]

The scale is c major on both drums

[@Andrrew05]

keep them both and make music encorporating both together

[@Sylkenwolf]

Is there a link where I could purchse? Thanks!

[@DylanFerno]

m.aliexpress.com/item/1005001633256511.html?spm=a2g0n.orderlist-amp.item.1005001633256511&aff_trace_key=b11a5637222d47fa9d740a66d8caaca2-1610557821504-08550-UneMJZVf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=7032amp-p6OHxFD_VRJOJHOY7zwHbw1612140453261&browser_id=e76b70cd93544af3933ea9707c959561&is_c=N

[@artchickification]

What's the brand name? Do you have a link?

[@derlidasilva6307]

Qual nome disso no Brasil como falo

[@chrisjones3901]

Smaller one better

[@steventhedoglover]

I have a 6 inch tongue drum, sounds like the 10 inch lol

[@natashareznikoff1331]

what brand did you get? Where did you order?

[@steventhedoglover]

@@natashareznikoff1331 I got the Pearl brand from Long and McQuade

[@dodo-iz2ei]

Could you let me know what the brand ( the bigger one) is? Thanx in advance :)

[@DylanFerno]

Not sure of the brand. But if they are not handmade these tongue drums are made in China.

[@dodo-iz2ei]

@@DylanFerno thank you for your kind reply

[@nirmalsingh8164]

do you the link for this drum ?

[@StarCoded]

He ordered these steel tongue drums from Ali Express.

[@bluemoon2139]

Yes, of course the bigger one 😅

[@TheBeatGoesOn64]

You used different mallets on each one that's not a comparison at all

[@shpongled587]

Slap some effects on the cheap ones - night and day.

[@DylanFerno]

haha yea I guess you could say that about a lot of instruments

[@minhtripham4482]

A

[@Vibedrums-usa]

Hate to tell you this but they are both out of tune...just FYI

[@DylanFerno]

Thanks for pointing it out! I am planning on doing some fine tuning with magnets

[@naomib775]

How can you tell? I'm interested in getting one of these but also don't know anything about music. I'm literally starting my research so I find it interesting you can buy them out of tune.

[@DylanFerno]

@@naomib775 You can use a tuning app to see how close the note is compared to what note it is supposed to be. These particular tongue drums are mass produced in factories and are likely not individually confirmed by human ears to be in perfect pitch. I believe most hand made tongue drums come perfectly tuned. However they are about 3-5x the price.

[@Vibedrums-usa]

Yes they are mass produced and they are not individually checked or tuned...they just cut them and hope for the best..they can be as much as a full half note out of tune...the ones that cost more that are in tune tend to be hand made, hand tuned and the steel is thicker and of a better quality. So the old saying goes "You get what you pay for" Vibedrums for example are made in the USA out of solid 13 gauge stainless steel vs thin 18 gauge on the Asian Imports, with a low environmental footprint, with no lead in the steel or the paint, tuned to symphonic tuning standards and due to the type and thickness of the steel no worries about rust or the drum going out of tune. However that said the Asian drums are good as a childs toy or a beginners drum for those that are working with a constrained budget

[@Lord_Nemesis8]

The 6 in is cute but the bigger one has a fuller sound