How To Play RAV Drum For Absolute Beginners (also handpan, hang, or metal percussion instruments)

If you are new to RAV drum or handpan, or maybe you just want to improve your skills, learning some of the basic techniques in this video will help you.
Take skype lessons with Matt Bazgier. Email: [e-mail]
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Order a RAV Drum: didgeproject.com/store
The first thing to learn about percussion instruments is that you need to let your hand bounce off the instrument in order for it to resonate. If you make contact but do not remove your hand, the vibration will be dulled. By making sure that your hands are bouncing off the instrument, the tongues (RAV) or tone fields (handpan) will be able to vibrate unhindered. You will see a tip in this video where Matt shows how he starts pulling his hand away from the instrument a split second before he even makes contact.
There are two types of beginning RAV drum strokes we look at in this video: a soft sound and a slap sound. To get the soft sound, you need to have your finger loose, perpendicular to the drum. Matt uses his middle finger but a lot of players use their index finger. This is all personal preference. The second stroke we explore is the slap sound, which is more percussive and uses the pads of the fingers (long sides). The slap is used when a louder sound is desired.
There are a number of patterns useful for beginners shown in this video. We highly suggest practicing going up and down the scale of your instrument. This is an indispensable exercise for melodic RAV drum playing. Then there are many more patterns you can play with, two or three of which are shown in this video.
Of course, one of the most important things about playing the RAV Drum is to have fun. These techniques are a starting point for you to find what moves you on the instrument. Practice these techniques and then take some time to creatively explore the instrument. You can practice playing notes in random order, or making up your own patterns that go up and down the scale. An example would be 3 up, 1 down, 3 up, 1 down, etc.: play the scale ascending from the bottom, first the 3 lowest notes, then down one, then the next 3 notes up, etc. In number order (with 1 being the lowest note), it would look like this: 1 2 3, 2 3 4, 3 4 5, 4 5 6, etc.
Question of the day: Where do you want to take your RAV Drum playing? What do you want to learn? Do you see yourself collaborating with others and/or using the instrument for meditative purposes? Write your answer in the comment section below.

[@didgeproject]

Where do you want to take your RAV Drum playing? What do you want to learn? Do you see yourself collaborating with others and/or using the instrument for meditative purposes?

[@yravaage3589]

I want to play to my forest garden, the river and my beautiful four-pawed friends.: meditative-healing. and melodi :)

[@jooheelee3043]

All of the mentioned purposes :) Melody, rhytmn and meditation for myself to begin with...thank you for your great video, very helpful for this absolute beginner! I'm getting to know my b Celtic minor and loving it so far just doing the slow single strokes.

[@shamanadarsh238]

Didge Project can they be tuned to the required scale

[@nachozambranomendoza]

Both situations for mi, for others and playing with others for fun I love the sounds

[@josefinasadhaka3554]

The concisely explained techniques in this video were super helpful for me as a RAV beginner, thank you for creating this content! I envision learning from the growing community in NYC, collaborating with others in creating healing environments, recording these sounds and producing them into electronic dance music so that the vibrations can be disseminated beyond time and space, and also for solo chanting/meditation purposes - ideally in lovely organic inspiring places all around the world :)

[@nicksheppard9681]

I have just placed an order for a Rav drum, from Russia , after being captivated by it in India. I am a qualified yoga instructor and work primarily with adults with a learning difficulty, and some with physical difficulty , and finally got some cash to buy one . Cant wait to get it and share the experience of learning to play with my lovely clients

[@marianacruz1899]

Awesome teachings!!! You are really great. Thank you

[@MaruskaM]

I like the way you teach, simpler than others.

[@kymastyl]

I love the slow motion movement and the whole video!

[@pricotcrochet7032]

Thank you for this simple exercice and simple explanations. I am completly new to drum playing but have some music back ground. I hope I want to play for myself and I wish one day I can play in duo with a friend of mine that recently got a drum herself too.

[@nicolemartel]

Thank You! This was great! I am very excited to learn, and I also appreciate your teaching style. Very clear, simple, slow, and thorough. I have an E Low Pigmy, and so I am excited to learn some meditative options, as well as rhythm and melodies :-) Much Gratitude & Blessings to you...

[@vickisturtevant4390]

I loved how you taught! You have a meditative presence which is what I would want to achieve.

[@martarogel5875]

Thank you so much for these lessons. I want to learn but have no drumming experience. I would love to learn more about melodies and meditative use of the drum.

[@AcVinicious]

Beautyfull.! Very nice explained Thank you Very much :)

[@fuu1372]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this beautyful lesson.

[@martinajammernegg3093]

The best REAL beginner's class. I totally recommend this class to everyone who has just received his/her Rav Vast :-)

[@didgeproject]

So happy this was helpful. Which tips did you find to be the most useful?

[@pekwalker]

I just found out about this wonderful instrument and would definitely use it more for the meditative and stress-reducing aspects.

[@FSDraconis]

I am very grateful for this video. Even if I am a few years late to the discussion. I only just recently got my first Rav drum. Personally, I am interested in a lot of things about the Rav. Currently trying to learn technique. I think the suggestion to start slow and then work on speed afterwards is a smart detail. As for my purpose with the instrument, I see it as a journey ahead of me of adventure and resonance. I hope to be able to become an inspiration to others and to share the experience. Personally, I have a G Pygmy and I am enjoying the process.

[@hybridviol]

very nice tutorial! would love to explore more athmospheric and melodic aspects of the instrument, thanks!

[@Kendalltimes7]

Thank you for making this.

[@janelleorman4282]

Thank you for this video. I am not musical but this has got me started on my beautiful rav drum. I want to be able to play for myself.

[@didgeproject]

Thanks so much for watching Janelle. It's great having people like you support us on our channel.

[@killiancarter9091]

Great video. That ninja selfie-stick though :D

[@satichappelle6290]

Thank you for the great lesson! I play a Guda, but can"t find any lessons for it specifically. Rav seems fairly close. I will keep trying & watching for you lessons!

[@norochmusic]

I also currently play a GUDA ;)

[@noellecuisine8912]

Great video!!!!

[@nonamelato]

Thanks for the lesson. My wife just gave me one of these as a gift. I've always loved the resonance of these drums when I've heard them being played a festivals. I write electronic music and this drum is the only non synth Instrument I have but I plan on sampling tones and phrases to incorporate into my music. I'm also excited to play it as a meditative practice.

[@didgeproject]

Post us a link to your music once its released!

[@nonamelato]

Didge Project I will!

[@elisabethm9655]

Thank you for this video. I just got a b-Kurd and was surprised my both the weight and my inability to get a clear strike until I watched this video and began working to follow your instructions...THANK YOU!

[@KruzerOak]

How's the playing progress? I'm on the edge of ordering the b kurd.

[@gordonj.wallis2826]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@buumeraeng]

thanks for sharing!

[@mikesterloc]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks so much for taking the time to upload as I’m sure I will put these techniques to good use. I only took delivery a few days ago and have zero percussion experience. I also wondering if I should have chosen a different scale. I opted for the double ding but it may be much for a beginner??

[@didgeproject]

You will probably do fine with the double ding. Just keep practicing the basics for now until you build up some strength

[@yravaage3589]

very useful, thank you :)

[@lissettewalls5556]

I don't own one yet, they're quite expensive 😁 (at least for me) so I have been praying for one, but meanwhile, I'm been practicin on my table 😁... (I know right?😂) but I just want to thank you for taking the time to share with us your knowledge and talent, I love your teaching skills, easy to understand and to follow. Thank you again 😊 Sending you rivers of lessings ❤.

[@Finbarbird]

I want to buy one and my would like advise on which one would be the best to purchase to start with??

[@jooheelee3043]

Great video! Do you have any recommendations concerning length of finger nails? Thank you for sharing!

[@didgeproject]

the shorter the better!

[@norochmusic]

Eventually I hope to own one, initially meditative qualities appeal but I will play at open mic nights too, I best get saving ☺️

[@boutiqueleveil4347]

What's your mics setup? :) Looks like samson to me hehe ^^

[@YogicConcepts]

I want to use it for meditative purpose - how to choose and go for it to buy?? I fall in love with this really

[@didgeproject]

+Yogic Concepts listen to all the scales that RAV makes and see which one you like. There are a bunch of videos of the different scales at www.didgeproject.com/store

[@SarahJaneFarrell]

just got my fav and so appreciate your lessons - would you be able to record them from behind you so i can mirror your hand positions?

[@didgeproject]

We will add overhead camera in our next video. Thanks for the great idea.

[@SarahJaneFarrell]

yay thank you that will be awesome when learning hand positions with you thank you thank you

[@lovelynsantos928]

Hello, may you please provide the size or dimensions of this instrument. Thank you.

[@Iyana]

Are these cheaper than handpans? This is all new to me, I've only ever learned the kalimba but I've been so interested in learning these!

[@didgeproject]

yes, they are significantly cheaper than handpans. check out the latest pricing at didgeproject.com/rav

[@melissajvaaganay4169]

Drums are wonderful. Thanks a bunch for sharing. 💜

[@sahliabdelaziz7226]

Thank you

[@narayanansubramaniam9970]

Do you hold online video courses? I’d like to enrol.

[@tjwin1481]

What do you feel is better hand pan or one like this??

[@Eden_Fayiar]

Is that a Celtic B ? It Sounds great anyway o0

[@KI-zj5tt]

I want to learn both rhythmic and melodic playing. I have no drumming experience. It would be nice to be able to play with others. I'm not sure my rhythm is strong enough to play well with other musicians.

[@lynxx7515]

What is the tuning of this particular instrument? THanks for info.

[@didgeproject]

This is a RAV Vast G Pygmy... It's essentially a natural minor scale without the 7th

[@onalem-6810]

Where can we buy this? And how much, very good video bdw

[@Ahmad_Taher.]

Actually there are many companies offer that. Or you just could buy it from eBay. If are concerning about the price then yeah it is indeed expensive for original instruments, it will cost you around 750 dollars or more.

[@alexandrinecarminati8306]

Hey thank you for the lesson! Which scale is it ?

[@megumiyo2668]

I also want to know

[@Julie-fl5vc]

G pygmy

[@drummeryan]

Great video. What scale is this drum?

[@didgeproject]

Ryan Blodgett rav vast g pygmy

[@MaruskaM]

i would love to learn and play it when meeting friends in the woods.. or anywhere..😊

[@melkisunarya4199]

Maria Maruska I’m sure the musical instrument you play right, handpan tarred inspiration from Gamelan, musical instruments traditional indonesia.Gamelan in the play right and in know right by Muslim scholars in indonesia thousands of years ago.Chek video indonesia Gamelan I’m sure you surprised.

[@narayanansubramaniam9970]

I’d like to play relaxing and meditative music.

[@user-qb7ei3cu5i]

What set of microphones are you using? Thank You!

[@didgeproject]

rode nt5

[@blackdionnisij]

Thx for lesson. Is it pigmy?

[@smileplease3411]

i want to play this thing,

[@judysweeney4047]

Meditative

[@spiritmedicine7080]

Recommendation for which scale you would choose for a beginner?

[@didgeproject]

Aubrey Howard g minor pentatonic is one of the best beginner scales because there is essentially no wrong sequence of notes

[@sumcd6348]

Which Scale of Rav Vast Drum is that you are playing?

[@didgeproject]

Rav Vast G Pygmy

[@patytrico]

I want to learn and meditate

[@shenkeey]

Are there handpans out there that have a normal piano scale? Because having so few notes definitely limits the musicality you can have with this instrument.

[@KruzerOak]

These instruments seem to usually be limited to 8-10 notes. The expansion into more musical areas seems to come with chords and different tonal strikes.

[@pentasonicnaturephotograph6937]

Or using two drums together

[@mikezero8019]

I am interested in purchasing a Rav Vast 2 but confused on so many scales . I am a total beginner and would like to know the best scale to start with. Any suggestions thank you

[@KruzerOak]

I'm in the same position. I've done quite a lot of research, and my conclusion is that the B Celtic, G Pygmy, and B Kurd are the best and most versatile for beginning.

[@mikezero8019]

@@KruzerOak thank you sir I've come to the same conclusion I really can't wait to start my experience.

[@mikezero8019]

Well by the looks of it I will start with the b curd 10 note and probably get a D major they are all amazing. Thank you for your input

[@didgeproject]

In our experience, one of the best beginner scales is the G Minor Pentatonic because there is essentially no wrong sequence of notes you can play.

[@madelinebosco5208]

what tuning is that particular drum

[@didgeproject]

Madeline Bosco G Pygmy

[@KI-zj5tt]

I feel like I have to strike the tongues on my Rav drum much harder that it appears other people do in the videos. I know it's hard to describe, but how hard should I be hitting the drum? Is there any difference in how hard you hit a hang drum compared to a Rav Vast?

[@astridskalman6074]

i'm experiencing the same thing :^/

[@pentasonicnaturephotograph6937]

If you have rav vast 2 drums it is because they are made of thicker Metal

[@PThake]

What scale was this Rav Drum please?

[@RAVVastSteelTongueDrum]

G Pygmy, man. Sounds like it!

[@maeredabtsog6164]

Can these be played with a soft mallet?

[@didgeproject]

Yes!

[@annip5573]

Which scale is this?

[@didgeproject]

G pygmy

[@melkisunarya4199]

I’m sure the musical instrument you play right, handpan tarred inspiration from Gamelan, musical instruments traditional indonesia.Gamelan in the play right and in know right by Muslim scholars in indonesia thousands of years ago.Chek video indonesia Gamelan I’m sure you surprised.

[@mcr0741]

What scale is your drum?

[@mcr0741]

Nevermind, got it. G Pygmy, I suppose.

[@didgeproject]

@@mcr0741 you got it right!

[@frankrault3190]

I like this very much. However, if I hit the drum like you do, my fingers start bleeding ! So I either slap them or hit them with the side of my thumbs. I tried to get used to hitting the drum with the tip of my finger, but that doesn't work. I tried less power, more power, everything. But it just hurts too much. (Bleeding fingers are not a normal side effect of playing the RAV, I suppose ;))

[@didgeproject]

Bleeding is a sign that you’re probably doing it too hard. It’s better to minimize the impact and not do anything that is going to cause damage to your body

[@frankrault3190]

@@didgeproject Thanks a lot!

[@perinatalcares]

I wish to play with my granddaughters.

[@demiana2141]

Want to use it in what you call " meditative" way. Just for calming and creating resonant sound . As simple as possible. Not a musician.

[@spencerd02]

I would like to take the drum to a more meditative states.

[@maximehebert4564]

Daniel Spencer A integral scale is the way to go, I use it before or after my crystal bowls sound therapy :)

[@spencerd02]

I have the celtic B minor scale.

[@gsibbelien]

Wich scale is this?

[@RAVVastSteelTongueDrum]

This is RAV Vast G Pygmy!

[@iamvioletflamelove]

@@RAVVastSteelTongueDrum where can i buy this drum! thanks!

[@RAVVastSteelTongueDrum]

@@iamvioletflamelove you can place your order on our website ravvast.com