Melodic Tongue Drum

The techniques that go into making this drum are similar to those you’d use for building a small box. The difference with this project is that you get to play with it when you’re done.

The tongue drum is one of the world’s oldest known instruments. They’ve been a part of many cultures for thousands of years. The idea behind the tongue drum is simple — a hollow box, or “sound chamber” reverberates when the individual tongues, or soundboard, are struck. On some tongue drums, the tone the tongues produce is varied by making each one a different length and width. On this design, I opted for form over function and made the tongues symmetrical in appearance. The tone is varied by removing material from the back face of the toe or heel of each tongue.

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What You Get:

  • 9 printable (digital) pages of step-by-step instructions
  • Over 45 full-color photos and illustrations and exploded views
  • Cutting diagram and materials list

Project Supplies & Hardware

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Forstner Bits

Titebond Wood Glue

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