Some say it produces the most relaxing music in the world.
Round steel tongue drums fit on your lap and can be played with the hand or a rubber tipped wand. The sounds they produce are haunting, with a resonant bell-like tone. Shaped like an oval and weighing about the same as a iron skillet, the tongue drums produce sound inside the instrument through slits cut in the top.
The drums, which commonly range in size from six to 18 inches, don't have to be played so loudly that they disturb the neighbors and they still produce a satisfying, mystical sound.
This is a modern instrument, appearing in its current configuration about 30 years ago. You don't have to know anything about music or drums to play the instrument. Although some music is available, its distinctive sounds are so soothing that simply noodling around with the instrument seems to be satisfying.
Each tongue is numbered. The music available online tells you what number to strike in what order. After that you work on rhythm.
According to YouTube reviewers, the larger tongue drums (18 inches) have deeper and richer tones. But the smaller drums also produce a satisfying, if somewhat limited, musical scale.
If you are a musician, you might want to spend more for an instrument that has a greater range of notes with more accurate tuning.
