Building and Tuning Tongue Drums, Slit Drums, Xylodrums - Easy Woodworking Music Project

Making a wooden tongue drum is an easy weekend project that kids of all ages will enjoy. Experiment with different types of wood and sizes of drums, as well as different tongue patterns. I made this one using red cedar with a mahogany top. It has felt pads on the bottom for improved tone and resonance, and also to protect the table. You can add optional handles and mallet holders or leave them off to showcase the wood.
They sound great without tuning, but I also show how to tune each tongue in this video with a tuner. You can tune the tongues to their closest natural notes like I did, or tune them to a particular scale. Every drum you make will sound different and every change you make affects the tone and resonance in some way. Go build one and have fun!
For more information, click this link to go to my website article. There are links to my templates and research information at the end of the article.
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Yes, that was me playing my red cedar and mahogany tongue drum throughout the video. ;)

[@justabouthadit5872]

Dang those things sound like crap.

[@BlessedLaymanNC]

The mahogany first, the pine close second, the other two aren't in the race. I am so glad you made this video. I just discovered tongue drums a few weeks ago and want to build one for my daughter who plays drums and other instruments fro Christmas. Thank you!. PS I wish I could give you two or three thumbs up!

[@BackyardWoodworking]

Great project should make some for the grand kids Drive my son nuts. LOL Thanks Steve, Roland

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Roland! Yeah, these would be great for that! lol

[@itsnottylor4011]

I really like the sound of the MDF. It's really muted and deep and I think it sounds great.

[@pocket83]

Great project, and perfect timing. I will definitely be making one for a gift. I'm thinking pine box with a mahogany top. This video answered every conceivable question (I'm a musical n00b). Thanks, really enjoyed!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks! I tried to cover everything to make these drums less mysterious, so thanks for the nice comment. I wanted to show that anybody can make one and get good results. The mahogany cuts really well with the jig saw.

[@djsaintremy]

What a beautiful selection of drums you've made. Thanks so much for taking the time out to share such a detailed insight into making these. Love your workshop also and I'll be sure to share with as many as possible :) Can't wait to make one!

[@kayakjohn9665]

I like the larger one. I made my first Tank Drum last week. I never played a drum before but I am enjoying it.

[@bjgood]

I love the large one, it sounds Super. Thanks Bud.

[@LeoNobles]

Thank you for making such a straightforward and well-organized video. I've been wanting to make one of these for a while, and this video just removed the mystery so that I'll go ahead with it now.

[@offairhead]

Thank you so much for talking about the more local woods that work well. And for making your patterns available. Your video is much more informative than most!! I made a set in high school wood shop and have always wanted to make more. my shop teacher taught me how to make the mallets but mine didn’t have the handles/mallet holders. That is a nice addition for the drums I make in the future.

[@tubergenmotorsports4193]

Thanks for showing tuning!

[@saboione]

Great project! Congratulations!

[@SkeletoRicuaTV]

This is great! I'm going to try it. It will go perfectly with my new musical project. Thanks a lot!

[@orowoodworks5413]

I watched this video a few years back, and am just coming back to it because a friend wants a tongue drum. So, I'm gonna build one, but wanted a decent tongue pattern and tuning method. Here it is! Great video, Steve.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Awesome! My best sounding drum was made with a 3/4" red oak box and a 1/2" thick cherry top, using the WOOD Magazine pattern. Each drum has its own personality, so you just have to make a few and experiment with size, woods and patterns to get a good sounding one. I've since been told that the best patterns do not have tongues of similar length next to each other. Alternate between short/long/short/long for good frequency separation. Good luck and have fun!

[@Trees2Pens]

I never thought to make this drum, I've seen them in music stores and almost bought one. Thank you for the video and I vote for the soundtrack drum, which I see in comments was cedar and mahogany .

[@graywoulf]

I like the one with the oak plywood top the best. Thanks for the tutorial and the plans.

[@johndudash2579]

#4 definitely, great job!

[@andyfarmer759]

I like the sound of the pine one the best. Great video.

[@Graybear78]

great project! Answered my questions as far as tuning. Obviously, the largest, using the tonewoods, is the best sounding.

[@bosco3083]

Steve, Thanks again. I've done a lot of research and i'm understanding more of the theory behind them everyday. Your links have been a great help. I'll let you know in the future how mine turns out.

[@WillowLeeWaters]

What a great tutorial 🙏 infectious enthusiasm too ! 🙌

[@777fiddlekrazy]

beautiful!

[@clemmcguinness1087]

Masterpiece Sir

[@cmartonick]

Steven you're a great instructor. You were clear concise and I appreciated how you played the different wood boxes one after the other so we could hear the sound and differentiate the woods resonance. THANK YOU!!! I vote for the biggest box for sound, although I did like the pine one as well. I'm totally making one!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thank you Clara! These are fun to make and it's neat hearing it for the first time when it's done.

[@nobuckle40]

That is awesome. I've been a drummer since I was 8 years old and I've never heard of such a drum. What a great project.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Doug! Me either until about a year ago.

[@h7oslo]

That was a great tutorial Steve! I shall build one for the kids! We like the white pine tone best.

[@dungshogun7271]

Amazing, thank you!

[@TheDlc0328]

Thank you for sharing Great information!

[@Landotter1]

Thanks for showing us not only how to make one but especially, how to tune one... Until you made this video, that information was pretty hush-hush... Thanks again! Cheers from Texas Otter

[@DIYBuilds]

Was thinking of making one of these for my son, thanks for all the great info and links.

[@SteveCarmichael]

You should! They are easy, just a box. Use a lot of glue to make it a solid sound chamber. There's a link in the video description to some templates I drew. Pick one where the tongues alternate between short and long, so similar notes are not next to each other...I've heard those sound best with note separation.

[@estevansanz5478]

I've been studying making a marimba and found an awesome resource at Delfords magic plan (google it if you are interested)

[@moonspaceblue]

Great JOB. Thank you.

[@user-lt4wh2vt2d]

Great insturments u made and thank you for sharing this with us!

[@hendrikj.scholte65]

Thanks for the inspiring movie. After seeing it, I made my own. With some scrap wood and it sounds very nice.

[@murpheyholloran1067]

This video was super helpful! I've been in the process of making one for a while now and I've watched many videos, but yours has all the information I need and at a very simple and understandable level. Thank you!

[@rstarguitar5350]

Thanks for the quick response I appreciate it definitely gonna look into those plans great videos

[@mikefisher9992]

I quite like the white pine drum It sound pretty good and the timber is relatively cheap and easily available to everyone

[@franciscocanek7336]

This is super cool!! I've wanted one of these badly ever since watching Bill Bruford playing it in The Sheltering Sky with King Crimson. A big thank you for you Steve Carmichael btw I love your EVH stripped tool case!! = )

[@neilfurby555]

Great presentation, enthusiastic and helpful. Excellent thanks...

[@budjiman1]

Mannnn....what I would give to have a wonderful workshop like that. Very nice!

[@occhinopercussion8562]

I think you may have addicted me to these! This totally fascinated me. Thanks!

[@dennismacwilliams196]

Great Job...

[@ELotion]

That EVH toolbox is killer!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Herman!

[@feenixb1o7]

This was really great, thank you for this.

[@BoxcarJerry]

cool project , i like the pine sound .

[@jasonbarton9352]

This guy is a cool teacher and seems like a nice guy-Thank you for the plans

[@Justseeingvideos333]

loved the pine tounge drum\

[@Justseeingvideos333]

typo i mean pine wood tounge drum

[@nalayoun9933]

I like the lower tone of the pine box. The finish on the cedar makes the grain pop. Great project video. You take your time to explain. Nice background music. Thank You

[@SteveCarmichael]

Nala Youn Thanks Nala!

[@DanielVilarino]

wow, that cedar is beautiful!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Daniel! I still have some left waiting on the right project. The colors are just amazing.

[@bobd.]

I Like the sound of the cedar drum you made in the video Steve. Another great project, thanks.

[@tompritch56]

i think I like the cedar the most. Great project.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Tom! Yes, they all sound pretty good though.

[@2wayplebney]

Excellent video. I can't wait to make one or two. The bigger drum does indeed have the nicest tone. Thanks for posting this, Steve.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Graham Exton Thanks Graham! My favorite is an oak body with a 1/2" cherry top using the wood magazine plan.

[@Alpacadave66]

Thanks Steve. awesome. red cedar.

[@SteveCarmichael]

David Oliver Thanks David! Yeah the red cedar one is great. I've made more of these since and my favorite is an oak body with a 1/2" cherry top. I think 1/2" top sounds the best.

[@CMRWoodworks]

Very cool. I think the cedar one sounds best, especially the lower notes. Pine is my next choice.

[@tdayuk]

Thank you for taking the time to research all the back build info :) Totally going to make this in the wood shop in the next few weeks :)!!!

[@svseaglobe]

Great Video! That is a great one for the Holidays...

[@homoeoremedy_drjayanta]

Fantastic.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thank you Dr. Jayanta! These are fun to make and play.

[@OkoZungu]

Great video, thanks!

[@timthompson3817]

Cool project!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Tim!

[@drummondmj]

Awesome project! I'm going to have to make a few!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks! I've made 8 so far. My favorites are the cedar/mahogany one in the video and I made a 3/4" red oak with 1/2" cherry top that sounds real good.

[@barryparks7057]

great video. well done

[@christopherkise]

This video was excellent. - THanks

[@dustenbrown7648]

I can't believe how well that pine sounds.

[@enonemellowspring9647]

I just learned so much watching this video. Thanks so much for sharing this Steve! I was hoping to make my son one for Christmas out of a big ole slab of black walnut that is just sitting in the shop and now I have uber confidence to get er done

[@SteveCarmichael]

+Enone Mellowspring Cool! They are fun to make and each one is different. My favorite one has a 1/2" cherry top. I bet a 1/2" black walnut top would sound good too. Make a couple at the same time and give him the one that sounds best. I have had a couple of duds that don't sound too good.

[@HonestDoubter]

I think I am going to have to make one of these. Thanks brother!

[@Conradbluzman]

Steve, thank you for your help, commitment, and dedication. I've got some 300 year old Mesquite wood that I want to use for the drum project.. Really enjoy your videos! Conrad

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Conrad! I appreciate it. Special wood like that would make me nervous. lol, I wouldn't be able to decide what to make with it. It would have to do it justice. A drum sounds good. Look at tonguedrum.com to see some pro ones.

[@rogermiddleton4064]

thanks for the video , i am just about to start making one and the only bit i was getting confused about was the tongue lengths relative to the box . but your downloaded info , explains it all top job mate and thank you again.

[@jriddim]

You are awesome, Steve. I certainly learned a lot from this. Thank you!

[@SteveCarmichael]

+Joe C Thank you Joe!

[@royalmaster203]

pretty cool!! thanks for your time....

[@jeffnorman4]

Great job with the video and detailed instructions and helpful information. Thanks for sharing. Loved the Red Cedar.

[@SteveCarmichael]

+Jeff Norman Thank you Jeff! Hope you can make one of these and it turns out great.

[@poiuy622]

great job thank you

[@houtjeboom]

Realy a great project Micheal.

[@SteveCarmichael]

houtjeboom Thanks!

[@rhwoodshop]

I love this Steve! Got me excited to make! Gonna be a good gift for my nephew!!!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Great! Good to see so many people interested in making these. Have fun and maybe your nephew would like to help make one too. Thanks!

[@richardnadeau6]

Nice project Steve. The mahogany is best but I am amazed how good the others sounded even without tuning. I have a couple of musically inclined grandchildren who might like one of these. Thanks for sharing.

[@Ticky66MN]

I do like the cedar sound best. I even have the Wood magazine so I pulled it out and plan to try making one for my daughter. I've made a couple other "drums" to make noise for her. Thanks Steve!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks! Yes, I think the mahogany made the best top. I think purpleheart or padauk would sound even better.

[@liltipe]

Great Job Steve, I like them all..

[@hallugi]

thanks a lot for sharing.

[@jaicie310]

All nice work. Each drum has its own voice, and so all are beautiful when they sing their own song. : ) thanx.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks! I've made 11 drums now and they all sound a little different.

[@scottdickerson830]

Great job Steve! I like the first one and the very last one you made. Thanks for the links, this will make a great project for me and the kids to work on this summer!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Scott. Have fun with them. Each one sounds different. Let me know if you have any questions. The templates are different sizes, so you may need access to print Letter, Legal, and 11x17 size paper, or tile them across pages.

[@stevewalker1140]

I like the richer tones of the cedar with mahogany drum. I had almost a ring to it and made the others seem dull sounding.

[@jacobingram-dodd4108]

Great steve

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Wow, this is a great project!!! Congratulations and thumbs up!!! Did the spray lacquer affect the pitch in any way?

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks! I like your videos...just subscribed! Yes, it affected the notes a little. Everything that you do to the drum changes it some.

[@emmitstewart1921]

The big drum sounds best, but if you were to get four musicians together, each one playing one of these four drums, the result would be awesome because each drum has a distinct voice.

[@SteveSam66]

Very Cool Project. I like the pine box tones the best. Sounds like steel drums

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Sam! Yes the pine sounds really good. I didn't expect it to, but it does. The sound is kind of Margaritaville tropical-ish.

[@gregsmith5147]

The new drum is the best of all because it resonates and actually rings. Next is the pine drum and that for he same reasons. Thanks for sharing....

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Greg! My favorite one that sounds the best has a 3/4" red oak box with a 1/2" cherry top. Sounds really nice.

[@gregsmith5147]

Hi there Steve, Hopefully you will post a clip of your half inch cherry top drum sometime soon. I'd love to hear it resonate. (Are there guide patterns for pre determining the pitch of a specific finger, while building the box?) In South Africa, the traditional marimba is made from sneeze wood which has radical resonance. Imagine using that? Regards from Cape Town

[@monkwerks]

Fun project. I like the cedar/mahogany sound, but I think my favorite was the pine. The higher pitch it produced seemed really clear and bright.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Father Thomas! Yes, pine sounds surprisingly good.

[@theanimalmuppet]

Cool idea. I just found an old mahogany board today while cleaning my shop. I think this will be a good project for that. Thanks for the great videos.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks! This is the first time I've used mahogany. It's easy to work with and is great for these drums.

[@cadaveramatore]

I loved

[@Steadystone99]

The video is nicely done & have tons of valuable information I've been searching for. Thank you for sharing. I like the mahogany/cedar one you made. I definitely will make a couple. One for myself & one for my 2 year old grandson.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks! These are so much fun and each one is different. I have 13 around the house now. lol Your grandson will love it, but his parents maybe not so much LOL

[@juancochi1]

really liked this!

[@SteveCarmichael]

+juancochi1 Thanks Juan!

[@gerrymyers4860]

Super cool explanations! I’m making one and this video is so helpful! Thank you Steve!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks Gerry! I made a lot of these and my favorite best-sounding one has a 1/2" thick cherry top with a 3/4" red oak box made using the Wood Magazine pattern.

[@istvanszeifert9183]

I'll have to make one of these for my sons. Good job.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks! Yes, you should make one. They are fun. I have templates on my website.

[@vision9242]

Red Cedar, sounds really good. Nice Job, sitting here in Jersey at 11pm.

[@SteveCarmichael]

+RoyalGames Thanks! I'm sitting here in GA at 11:15. lol I usually stay up till 1am.

[@michaelhopp6244]

Thanks a lot!

[@upgradetiger]

DUDE.... Awesome... Thank you!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Drum Struck Thanks!

[@sparrowbachman156]

Surprisingly all the woods give good sound, some better but all sound pretty good. Sometimes I forget what a nice wood cedar is particularly when you put some finish on it to bring out it's character.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Yeah, I was surprised too, especially by the mdf. I was really lucky to get that ceder from the woodmizer demo man at the woodworking show.

[@frankmakes]

Nicely done, I may have to make one or two or..

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thank you Frank! I'm already working on more. lol

[@1921james]

thanks Steve, very nice presentation ,you got me hooked

[@kraftistbumerang]

very nice video. giving a lot detail info. Great man. just a note generally for instruments perfect tuning also changes the sound. it becomes more resonant

[@TedAlexander24]

Red cedar, clear pine, oak plywood and mdf. And this is a really neat project. Thanks Steve.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Hi Ted! Thanks! These are fun with a nice payoff at the end hearing how they sound the first time. I've made about a dozen now and the best sounding one has a 3/4" red oak box with a 1/2" cherry top. Longer tongues sound best too.

[@TedAlexander24]

I was also wondering while watching, If he glues it up how is he gonna cut the top. Didn't even think you would use a jigsaw. Nice straight lines.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Yeah, you only get one shot at cutting the top. I think that's why a lot of them have wacky shaped tongues instead of straight lines, so you don't notice the cuts if they are off a little.

[@curtjunky]

Really excellent! Thanks for the great video, easy to follow and understand - especially for a novice like me! Fantastic work on tuning the tounges! Cheers!

[@greatobehome]

Thanks so much! I wanted to know how to do this really badly! So much good info!

[@SteveCarmichael]

Thanks!