Mirio 14" 15-Tone Steel Tongue Drum: Unboxing & Review

The folks at Mirio sent me this 14" steel tongue drum to review. It is in the key of C Major and has 15 tongues. This would be a great drum if you wanted to cover familiar tunes. I wasn't expecting it but it was a nice surprise. Thanks Mirio.
Intro - 0:00
Overview & Specs - 2:30
Sound Samples w/Mallets - 4:00
Sound Samples w/Fingers - 5:34
Summary - 7:06
You can purchase one here: www.amazon.com/dp/B09PZ2NB87
See more video with steel tongue drums here: • Tonal Drum Videos
And see more Unboxing Videos here: • Unboxing Videos

[@themachobrochacho1987]

So, I heard a couple of times, "C key if you want to cover familiar tunes" etc. That doesn't disqualify this C Key drum in aspects of freestyle playing. There is another comment where the person was touting the D key version as opposed to the C. I'm about to get this in the mail myself, and want to clarify

[@musicalmiscellany]

The improvisational nature of a drum is more tied to the scale/mode than the key. A major scale lends itself well to familiar tunes because so many songs are written in major keys and C Major contains all the natural (non-flat or sharp) notes. Therefore, you can often play songs that weren't even written in the key of C. Thus why people say it's great for playing familiar tunes. Can you improv on a C major scale? Of course you can. So then why buy a drum tuned to a pentatonic scale? Think about it this way, if you had a 10-tongue drum tuned in a major scale, and you're playing a pentatonic melody, you'll only be able to play 6 of the 10 tongues (so 40% of the drum is not used). If you have a 10-tongue pentatonic drum, all 10 tongues are playable in that scale (so 100% of the drum can be used). This is why folks say it's better for improv. I have a separate video that explains this in more detail if you're curious... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXK8fZ-AiLSGhdk

[@elaineqiu9392]

Wonderful

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for watching the video.

[@rock2blues59]

Great unboxing and demo. Just curious, does the decorative ring lessen the volume of the drum. Thanks

[@musicalmiscellany]

That's a super logical question. It really doesn't do much to the volume though. These drum are typically made from two pieces of curved metal and they fuse the pieces together at the seam. Therefore, there's almost no resonance at the very edge. A lot of manufacturers will use a rope or rubber ring to cover the seam. As far as I can tell it doesn't seem to affect anything. If you put the ring over the center of the drum I'm quite sure you'd hear a volume difference but not on the edge.

[@fearlessfreddy1000]

Hi Kale, How do I get a position receiving those great gifts from musical instrument manufacturing companies? Boy are you blessed! Blessings from the Emerald City also, says Fearless Freddy

[@musicalmiscellany]

I've made some good contacts over the last couple years. That's for sure. I'm thankful. Speaking of which... thanks for watching.

[@clausbader9537]

I got a similar from Hluru as well in C major and as I can hear this has the same less resposive tongues in C. I have seen/heard the Mirio in D major and it was much better. I got my Hluru on a special for 100€ (LAZADA Vietnam). My advice what I have seen and heard. Get the Mirio instead of the Hluru. Choose D major instead of C major. Check also the unboxing of the Mirio in D major from another channel.

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for checking out the video.

[@eprohoda]

Hiya!.Wow.so awesome . catc hyou later~ ))

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for watching.

[@Iceland874]

I shouldn’t watch this one. I always want what you review what you have but am not wealthy or close. 🥲 Especially the drums!

[@musicalmiscellany]

GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is a real thing. I have it too. For what it's worth, this is a pretty affordable drum.

[@Iceland874]

@@musicalmiscellany maybe I can give up energy drinks and Keurig, Nespresso for awhile and get one! Haha! Music is energizing anyway! Thanks as always.

[@Iceland874]

@@musicalmiscellany darn and no beans! Haha.

[@musicalmiscellany]

@@Iceland874 That's a pretty serious change. :-)