Tongue Drum building tips

I have been learning so much about building wooden tongue drums. I wanted to pass on some tips to you to make some of the build a little easier for you. I will leave additional information in the comments section.

[@SusanLoar]

Would love to see it when completed. I will be working on my padauk tongue drum soon.

[@SusanLoar]

Tongue Drum building tips 1) Have a plan before building. What key do you want your drum to be in? 2) It's best to use hardwood for your top sound piece. This will produce clearer sounds. 5/8 to 3/4 inch thick. 3) Choose your side and end pieces. This can be softwood. 4) Cut out your top piece with a jigsaw or scroll saw 5) Glue top to sides and ends so that there are no gaps. After dried, sand well. 6) Tune your drum before gluing the bottom. &) Glue on a bottom piece. After dried, use a light coating to finish. A thick coat may change the sound.

[@karmatosed7211]

wow love the content! I'm pretty interested in trying this. I may take a crack at it, I used to make teeth by hand lol. Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, etc.

[@antonraumos6454]

Love the instructions beautiful tone on your completed drums.

[@SusanLoar]

Thank you.

[@DouglasLeavitt]

Thanks for the tips! I have one that I have been working on for a long time, but never finished. I was being lazy and didn't want to add the material to the inside. But I guess I will go ahead and do it. I don't know anything about music theory, so I am not sure which keys I will end up with. I am using the tongue layout I saw on Hardwood Music. I might post a video of it if I don't mess it up too bad.

[@hdwalters65]

Susan, I saw several of your tongue drum videoes this evening. I like your enthusiasm. Doug Stowe is a great author for box making. His instruction and techniques have helped many woodworkers. There are a lot of skill-building woodworking techniques in box making. I wish you the best in your shop.

[@SusanLoar]

Thanks for watching. I’ll check out the Doug Stowe videos.

[@hdwalters65]

Doug Stowe's best instruction for box making is done with his books. I just took a look at some of his KZbin videos and those (of what I saw) were highlights of his machines and methods. His books give complete instructions and he explains the woodworking techniques to build boxes that will last generations. His books are excellent. For me, his paperback book "Basic Box Making" was a good place to start.

[@valwiz18]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!! greetings from Brazil :)

[@SusanLoar]

Glad I could help.

[@dale1956ties]

Not sure it's correct but most flks pronounce it puh-DOOK. Thanks for the tips. Good stuff for sure.

[@StormDragonHVX]

You are most certainly correct. 👍

[@dale1956ties]

@@StormDragonHVX Thx

[@kadeemccormick329]

Thanks for video. Im an accomplished woodworker and novice violinist but making tongue drums even with different hardwoods beat me about a year ago. I made 5 but could never tune them even with various apps and tuners because I could not get notes to read consistently. Currently, making CNC projects to sell for the total eclipse. However, after April 8 I will try again thanks to your video. Thanks for confidence. I will try to find the apps and the handwritten sheets you show during the video to make another attempt. If jinga hardness marches, I Want to make one using Osage Orange top if I get where I can tune it. Thanks again - KaDee

[@SusanLoar]

Good luck. I am still struggling for that. Perfect sound.

[@kadeemccormick329]

My issue was with getting the tuner to determine the frequency (note). It would show a note with a strike. Without changing anything I would Strike it again and get a totally different note. It had this inconsistency in testing regardless if which tuner or app I used. Very frustrating. I've made dozens of instruments ( hurdy gurdy, hammered dulcimer, and bowed psalteries) but the tongue drum beat me because I could not get the tuner to consistently read the note. I would guess its a harmonic issue. Perhaps the aps you suggest will work and read it better. Cant wait to try it. Thanks again for responding and for the video. KaDee KaDee's Creations

[@karmatosed7211]

also there are guitar tuners, which clip onto the end of the guitar, and tunes notes by vibration not sound. it's surprisingly accurate, and I bet it might work on that drum somehow. might be worth trying, they're pretty fairly priced.

[@SusanLoar]

I may try that. Thanks for the tip.

[@rcgrant9310]

Susan, Thank you for sharing your tongue drum videos. So interesting and informative. Separate question -- Do you have a recommendation for a dust collection system for the DeWalt DW788? THANKS...

[@oscarferreira3836]

Could you help me with the notes on each key? I saw the notes in your video and I need to know a little more about the notes. I ask you to help me, I already have the template, but I don't know about the tones that each should have. key

[@antonraumos6454]

Waiting for instructions to build a Aztec Teponaztli drum.

[@SusanLoar]

Interesting. Hopefully someone will post this soon.

[@manjunathhurkadli4150]

Susan i want to know is the wood cutting is quater swan or flat swan. And top can we use South Indian rose wood. I am a guitar builder

[@SusanLoar]

The wood I use is not quartersawn. If you did use this, it might be a nice affect on the sound of your tongue drum.

[@lctstudios0101]

Hi, i am planning on building a toungue drum myself, but when planning out my notes, my question is how do you plan the length of the tongues to each key. For example, what length would a Bb be compared to the length of an Eb? Or is the tuning of the notes based prior the tongues being cut.

[@SusanLoar]

Problem that I am discovering is each type of wood is different, depending on thickness and width. Even if you use the same species of wood, it can come out totally different. I am still trying to figure all of this out myself. What I would do is take a pattern you can find online, and start there. I wish there was a clear-cut answer for you, but there’s not.

[@lctstudios0101]

@@SusanLoar I appreciate the feedback, its tedious but fun process I imagine haha.

[@oscarferreira3836]

I want to use 3/4 inch hard maple

[@SusanLoar]

That should work well.

[@oscarferreira3836]

Hello Susan, good day, could you share with me the letters that go in each key, I am interested in making an 18-inch tongue drum and also the sheets that you show in the video to see the 4 quadrants and the notes, thank you very much, I await your response

[@SusanLoar]

I can tell you what I do with a 12 key drum. The largest key I use the root of the chord and build from there. In the key of c. From lowest to highest in each section. CEG. FAC GBD ACE In the key of D. DF#A GBD AC#E BDF# . You can use any key and use the root of the chord, the 4th, 5th and 6th of the chord. Once you cut your top and glue to the body with the bottom off, use a tuner to find out what notes you have. Then you can find out what key they are closest to and go from there. It is impossible to know what each note will be until it is built. The type of wood and the thickness along with the length of keys are what will determine the note. I hope this helps a little. I am still learning myself.

[@oscarferreira3836]

nk you very much for your help and One last question where did you download the Airy wear tuner?

[@SusanLoar]

@@oscarferreira3836 tuner lite is iPhone, airy ware tuner is android. Either will work. Airy ware has a free version and then it is a small fee.

[@oscarferreira3836]

@@SusanLoar Hi Susan Thank you very much for your information

[@3nertia]

What song are you playing from 2:13-2:28 please?

[@SusanLoar]

It’s called “Those Magic Changes” from the musical theatre rendition of Grease.

[@3nertia]

@@SusanLoar Thanks so much!