At a glance
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Notes – Eight octavated notes in B minor
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Tuning – 432 Hz
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Diameter – 10 inches — lap-sized and easy to travel with
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Build – Premium stainless steel with a smooth black finish
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Play – Fingers for warmth, included wooden mallets for definition
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Shipping – Ships within 3 business days
How to use it
Rest it on your lap or on a cushion — not flat on a hard table, which chokes the sustain. Both hands stay relaxed and hovering; the drum answers to weight, not force.
Start with two adjacent tongues and go back and forth slowly for a full minute before you do anything else. That single exercise teaches you the drum's timing better than any pattern.
For sleep or wind-down practice, play with fingertips only, at about half the speed that feels natural. For group work or a more articulate voice, switch to the mallets.
Fingers or mallets
|
Fingertips |
Wooden mallets |
| Character |
Soft, warm, intimate |
Clear, articulate, carrying |
| Good for |
Personal practice, sleep, close listening |
Groups, recording, rhythmic playing |
| Volume |
Lower |
Higher |
| Learning curve |
Immediate |
Very short |
✨ Temple Tip
Play one tongue, then wait until you can no longer hear it before you play the next. Ten minutes of that is a complete meditation practice and it teaches your hands the instrument at the same time. Most people never slow down enough to try it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read music?
No. Every note on the drum belongs to the same scale, so anything you play is in key. That is the whole point of the instrument.
What does 432 Hz mean?
It refers to the reference pitch the drum is tuned to, slightly lower than the 440 Hz standard used by most orchestras. Many sound practitioners prefer it; the practical effect is a slightly warmer, lower overall voice.
Can I play it with a handpan?
Not usually in the same key unless the handpan is also in B minor or a compatible scale. On its own, or layered with bowls and gongs, it fits anywhere.
Are mallets included?
Yes — wooden mallets ship with the drum. You can also play it with bare fingertips, which many people prefer for quiet practice.
How do I look after the finish?
Wipe it with a dry cloth after playing. Fingertip oils are what dull a black steel drum over time, so a quick wipe is genuinely all the maintenance it needs.
Eight notes, no wrong ones. Start where you like. #TempleOfDesire
