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I bear in mind the primary time I heard a metal tongue drum. The instructor of a restorative class I as soon as attended had arrange a number of sound devices by her mat. When it was time for Savasana, she serenaded us together with her one-woman present, taking part in notes that diversified in pitch, tone, and depth.
The music had texture. And it informed a narrative. One instrument seemed like a thousand tiny pebbles dancing down a hillside. One other sounded just like the wind chimes my mother retains in her yard however with a resonance that consumed my whole physique. And, throughout the remaining minute or so, the instructor performed a 3rd instrument that possessed essentially the most distinct notes of all.
She proceeded at a sluggish tempo with that final one. Every observe, as soon as created, had a lifespan that lasted no less than till one other observe was born, creating harmonies that overlapped. “If déjà vu made a sound, it might be this,” I assumed. It was mysterious and acquainted. Her taking part in impressed me to sink extra deeply into my inside world.
After class, I expressed my curiosity about which issues made which sounds to my instructor. She gestured towards her mat and— as if she was Willy Wonka, the gathering of devices was her chocolate manufacturing unit, and I used to be Charlie—mentioned, “Play!”
The pebbly one she had used, I realized, was an ocean drum, the second a Koshi chime, and the third a metal tongue drum. I examined every of them, however I used to be most captivated by the drum. It required little or no effort and yielded most magic. Mallets in hand, I felt like I had been transported again to kindergarten as I sat cross-legged and tapped away with no rhyme, motive, or understanding of the way it labored.
“You may get these drums on-line,” my instructor mentioned, doubtless noticing how enraptured I used to be by the expertise—and probably encouraging me to go dwelling for the reason that studio was about to shut.
I knew then that I wanted a metal tongue drum of my very own.
Receiving My First Panda Drum
Ultimately, actuality set in. The price of a metal tongue drum just like the one my instructor used was *simply* excessive sufficient that it wasn’t one thing I used to be going to buy for myself on a whim. Though I got here throughout a couple of cheaper choices, Redditors who talk about the topic are adamant that you just get what you pay for. (Apparently some cheaper drums are made with less-than-quality supplies and produce a “tinny” sound.)
I had all however given up on my metal tongue drum goals when, a pair years later, I obtained a beneficiant Christmas reward from my brother and his girlfriend—a Panda Drum Plus. The model is well-known amongst yoga academics and newbie metal drum gamers. Panda Drum provides a number of kinds; the Plus mannequin is eleven inches in diameter and stands about six inches excessive on small rubber toes.
It is available in 9 completely different colours, from metallic shades to scorching pink. Together with the Panda drum comes two bamboo mallets, a carrying case, and a newbie’s track e-book. (The set is on sale proper now for $140—they’re normally $270.)
Enjoying the Panda Drum at House
I faucet one or two bamboo mallets in opposition to the elements of the drum labeled with numbers, which correspond to particular notes, in no explicit order. The sound is full and deep and I can depend to 10 earlier than it easily fades. After I must distract myself from the stress of the day or unwind at night time, taking part in my very own melody on the Panda Drum and typically buzzing alongside permits me to show inward and really feel just a little extra current.
On-line reviewers name the sound of the Panda Drum “mesmerizing.” And lots of have reported that taking part in the instrument helps them focus their consideration and really feel extra relaxed. The Panda Drum doesn’t irritate my tinnitus, as produce other metal tongue drums I’ve skilled. I’m very intentional about putting it very evenly, although, particularly since I’m taking part in it just for myself and never a room full of individuals. (As when taking part in any instrument, keep away from exceeding really useful sound ranges, which might set off uncomfortable sensations or feelings.)
Some enable their kids to play it as a concentration-booster or inventive outlet.
I used to imagine that proudly owning a metal tongue drum would rework me into essentially the most grounded, centered, and non secular model of myself. Absolutely I’d play it each night time earlier than my hour-long meditation classes. Actually I’d turn out to be so expert a musician that the melodies I’d create would enable me to only float off the ground as an outward show of my transcendent inside state.
Effectively, that’s not precisely what occurred. However I nonetheless get pleasure from my Panda Drum.
