How do you fix the sound on a steel tongue drum? Can you tune a steel tongue drum?

The steel tongue drum is a GREAT instrument for learning solfege and making music with your child. The limit of select notes helps scaffold you and your students' learning. It also has a very simple input using two small simple mallets.
This video discusses on how to easily change the resonance and the tuning.
PLEASE ask questions below!
Additional practice can be found at the website below!
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[@nika3393]

So many great tips that I wanted and didn't expect all in this one video! Thanks!

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Glad it was helpful! You’re very welcome for the video and best of luck on your musical journey. :)

[@schmecklesonwright]

I didn't realize you could just stick magnets on like that to change the tuning. Massive help, as I've been wanting a steel tongue but don't have a ton of cash to spare for more than bottom of the barrel, but unfortunately have been spoiled by actual handpans already xD Thank you!!!

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Yeah I was amazed when I found out you could do that. Some notes: 1. Some expensive drums won’t allow for the magnets because they’re made of aluminum or other non-magnetic metals. 2. The drum in the video is a Smautop 11 note in D. It’s not a great drum but for the money it did pretty well. You can also change the scale you are playing. I did a quick live stream going over some options and this second video had some interesting options. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2ezc6Wmqp6Vqa8 Thanks for checking out the video and I hope you find a tongue drum that works for your needs!

[@emilyrees2260]

The first one doesn't sound bad, but the 7 and the high 1 sound much better with the tuning adjusted..

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

I agree. Those are also the most out of tune notes on this instrument. They are around 12 cents sharp.

[@HELENCUTHBERT]

Lots of good info - esp the paper towel advice! Thank you.

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Glad it was helpful! Best of luck on your journey. :)

[@briannakelly26]

Thanks for the tips!

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

No problem. I’m hoping they help. :)

[@briannakelly26]

@@MusicRoomWithFriendo they surely will especially since in the instruction manuals they direct you to a magnet fix instead of taking their product back and fixing it to be the 100% tuned they claim they are themselves. Lol My electric tuner arrives today with my new acoustic guitar so I'll see if this actually is then. I'll be returning it if it isn't but I still will use this tip in order to change the notes. Mine is in D minor so I'm curious how it'll sound with the little mod. Also a tip from me: school music orchestras & bands will get you more people to view your content. 😇

[@frankzander7151]

Cool video, thanks man.👍 I just tuned my cheap steel tongue from "C major" to "C ursa minor", a scale frequently used on handpans. Sounds really cool now.😁

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Awesome! It really takes the instrument to the next level and I was pretty amazed when I learned you can do that. Enjoy!

[@davecasey4341]

Thanks for this. I just ordered a tungue drum off Amazon last night I am looking forward to getting it. I made sure to order one made of carbon steel so magnets would stick to it. I'm the kind of player that loves to experiment with different tunings.

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Awesome I’m glad the video helped. I really enjoy the alternate tunings. (Sorry for the late reply) :)

[@marciacunningham5877]

I bought an Amazon tongue drum. All the notes were flat. I tuned them like tuning harmonica reeds. I used a die grinder to remove metal from the bottom tip of each tongue until the pitch was A 440. I also used small sticky round felt pads at the base of each tongue to soften the resonance. What did sound horrible, now sounds absolutely perfect, except for the small tongues, which are too thick to vibrate much. I'm not sure I want to mess with those. Michael

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

That’s awesome. That’s definitely a way to do it! I think it’s tough to get an 11 tongue drum where the smaller tongues don’t sound dead. Thanks so much for the info. :)

[@drachiin3995]

Thaaaaat is great. Thank you aaaaa lot. Now my green little lady sounds really magical. At first I thought I didn’t make a good choice in buying her. Noooo she is awesome now. Thank you again and again. I am so happy.🙏☺️🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏✨✨✨✨✨

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

I’m glad you found the video helpful. :)

[@jamesmichael20910]

Thank you for this very informative video. I now understand that I can bring 440 down to 432. I have tried Pano Tuner and one other app. When I strike the tongues, I don't get anywhere near the 400s. My question is, is there a correct way to strike the tongues in order for the hz to register correctly?

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Thank you for the kind words. Tuning to 432 Hz means that all of your notes will be in tune relative to a specific “A Note” being 432 hz. If you click in Pano tuner you will see that you can change what Hz the tuner is looking for. Click it from 440 (default setting) to 432 and then just tune the drum as you normally would. I will try to do a short tutorial later today and maybe a more full form video later since it can be a little confusing. :) Thanks again for checking out the video!

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Here is a quick response video. Thanks for the question! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXS0oYKiiZuZg80

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Notes: I’ve been finding it difficult to capture the sound of the drum without peaking. Occasionally there will be a “Wolf” note on this inexpensive drum, however I’m thinking a dynamic mic might handle recording it a bit better. Also the first example is intentionally flat because the second note on the drum is naturally flat. All the other notes were lowered to meet that one specific note since you can’t raise it the pitch, only lower it. Thanks for checking out the video and let me know any questions you have!

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

@One vibing cactus juice boi and his pet, lord momo The drum in the video is a 12 inch drum. The magnets (according to Amazon) are 10mm across and 3mm high. Thanks again for the question!

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

I also just did a live stream about playing some different scales using the magnets. You might be able to use it in your musical journey. Changing SCALES on a steel tongue drum - using magnets! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4TGeY2ojL-msKM

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

My assumption is that as long as it sticks, it will work. My other assumption is that if the instrument has smaller tongues then the magnet will need to be closer to the base. The other thing that has come up is the fact that some tongue drums are not made of steel. (Ex. Copper or aluminum) and therefore the magnets would not stick. Best of luck and let me know how it turns out!

[@lbfree714]

I just got a drum from Amazon, and two of the notes don't seem to be resonating at all is there a way to fix that?

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Sorry for the late response. If the notes aren’t resonating I think you’re probably stuck. If there’s not enough surface to thickness short of shaving the tongue or elongating the groove I can’t think of anything that would help.

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Here's an additional video on switching Pano Tuner to 432Hz. (Thanks James for the question!). kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXS0oYKiiZuZg80 Also HERE is a livestream I did talking about different scales you can play using the magnets. Thanks for checking out the video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4TGeY2ojL-msKM

[@anneliseburlett2113]

Wondering if you know what, if anything, can be done for a "dead note" on a tongue drum. I got a BeatRise tongue drum for Christmas, most of the notes/tongues sound great, but some of the highest notes (smallest tongues) barely give off a sound. I think it is called a dead note when this happens, anyway, I wonder what to do to fix it, if it's even possible to fix... pry the tongue up gently a little? Thought you might have some experience with this and could help...

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

That’s a really good question. I’m thinking that if the tongue doesn’t have enough surface area to resonate then it’s probably going to sound like that without major work. As far as the resonance, I imagine it has something to do with the ratio of the thickness to length of the tongue. Also I imagine that the placement will affect the sound if it’s right on the curve of the drum. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Please let me know if you come across anything because I’m definitely interested in a solution. :) -John

[@anneliseburlett2113]

@@MusicRoomWithFriendo I will try a few things and let you know if I find a solution!

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Thank you. Best of luck with your tongue drum playing. :)

[@tannerlong9893]

One of the notes on mine doesn’t sound out of tune but it sounds weird and leaves a very muddled sustain. Any advice?

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Sorry for the late reply. If it’s a high note and there isn’t a lot of surface area it might not have a lot of room to vibrate. It also could be getting an overtone and/or sympathetic vibration from another tongue. Sorry about the late reply. Let me know if that sounds like your issue.

[@tannerlong9893]

@@MusicRoomWithFriendo no worries, it’s the low 6

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

It could be how the tongue is cut, but my guess would be sympathetic vibration. You can try and mute all the other notes. If it sounds fine with the other notes muted, it’s probably some additional ringing causing the problem. (At least that’s my guess)

[@ErinMunizG]

What’s the app name to know the hz? 🤩

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

“Pano Tuner” is the name of the app. The free version will show the Hz for the note you’re playing AND you can change it so that 432hz or any other desired pitch center so the tuner will be centered on the pitch. Thank you so much for the question. :)

[@RobertaMintonye-ee5by]

Put a pickup inside the drum.plug into a Amp. Electric tough drum..I think

[@RobertaMintonye-ee5by]

I'm gonna buy a tongue drum tomorrow, and i'm gonna add the pickup we'll see if it works

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

I would think that would work. I wonder if a stick on pickup would get decent results as well. Either way I want a wah pedal on it. Thanks for the ideas. :)

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

The lowest note on mine is off. It sounds like three different notes sloppily resonating.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Any tip on how to fix? All the other notes sound wonderful but when I hit that lowest note, it’s just blurry. I don’t know how to explain it but I’m not sure what to do.

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

I think the low note sounding like that can be fairly common. You’ll definitely have other sympathetic vibrations that COULD be causing a multi-note sound. Theoretically if the note is SHARP, you MAY be able to tune it lower so it fits in better with the other notes. If it’s FLAT you could lower everything to match it. I would also suggest possibly dampening the underside with some masking tape to see if that helps controls the initial sound. Honestly it might be best if I do a relatively quick video on this. (I’ll see if I can find some time today) Thanks for the question. :)