Steel drum reviews

Jamaican steel drums play the background soundtrack of easy-living in the Caribbean. Their tropical, upbeat tunes send out an optimistic call to leave worries aside and enjoy the simple things in life.

Should you ever holiday on one of the exotic islands in the Caribbean, you will hear Jamaican steel drum music day-and-night. However, you can get a gist of that cheerful steel drum melody even if you are a world apart from that sunny paradise.

This complete guide to Jamaican steel drums should teach you everything there is to know about them. Read on to discover how they sound like, where they come from and how can you buy and learn to play one today!

What are Jamaican Steel Drums?

Also known as steel pans, Jamaican steel drums are percussion instruments that follow a chromatic pitch ranging from G1 toF6. The musician who plays it is called a pannist, and a group of pannists is referred to as a steel band.

The name “drum” may confuse many neophytes in panning. Drums use a membrane to produce sounds, which makes them membranophones. They have a flat surface, which drum players can hit with their hands or with percussion mallets to make noise.

On the other hand, steel drums look more like large, deep frying pans. They are an idiophone instrument, which means that they rely only on their bodies’ vibrations to produce sounds. The concave surface can turn noise into melody when the pannist hits it with wooden or bamboo sticks that have rubber heads.

The confusion appears from the origin of Jamaican steel drums, which were initially made from the bottoms of 55-gallon industrial barrels, also known as “drums.”

Who Invented the Steel Drum?

If you ask them, most Jamaicans will cheekily say that they invented steel drums. However, historic facts tend to disagree.

The pan-like instruments originate from Jamaica’s neighbouring island of Trinidad. Back in the 19th century, the slaves of African descent on the island used to celebrate Canboulay, which was their version of a French carnival. During these celebrations, they would chant and dance in the streets as percussionist musicians would accompany the crowds.

Sometimes Canboulay would turn into gruesome fights and riots among the participants. So, in 1880 the island’s government banned all music instruments from the celebration. The harsh punishment did not stop the party though. Instead, people started playing on anything they could find around the house including pans and pots.

It wasn’t long until some of the most creative percussionists in Trinidad came up with catchy tunes played on kitchen apparel. Some even modified them to produce deeper or higher notes. Songs with lyrics appeared to accompany the sounds. And, just like that, a new musical style was born.

The instrument evolved into what we know today as steel drums during the 20th century. Large, cargo ships from all over the world would transport chemicals in and out of the Caribbean. Quite often, they would leave behind obsolete oil barrels (drums). The pannists found that the steel bottoms of these drums suited their style even better than the pans they used for cooking.

Steelpan music expanded to almost all of the islands in the Caribbean Sea and found a welcoming home in Jamaica. Here, it quickly found its way in well-established musical styles like ska and reggae. Local percussionists found new ways to play them and even modified them to become what we now call Jamaican steel drums.

Types of Jamaican Steel Drums

Today, steel pans are no longer made from the remains of discarded oil drums. Instead, they are made from sheet metal with a thickness between 0.8 and 1.5 mm. Chrome and nickel plating is the most common form of finishing.

Manufacturers use strobe tuners or electronic ones to ensure that the drum will emit a clear vibration for every note in its ability range.

In time, Jamaican Steel Drums evolved massively. Seemingly identical instruments bear small adjustments that change the way they sound. Musicians imposed their playing styles to come up with new modifications and increase the classification of steel pans even more.

Nowadays, a steel band of Jamaican steel drums music can include more than a dozen percussionists, and each of them playing on one or up to twelve pans at the same time. Here are some of the instruments that they might use:

• Single Tenor
• Spiderweb Lead
• Invader Lead
• Double Tenor
• Double Second
• Double Guitar
• Quadrophonic (also known as four pans)
• Triple Guitar
• Cello
• Tenor Bass
• Six Bass
• Nine Bass
• Twelve Bass

How Does Jamaican Steel Drum Music Sound Like?

Here’s a band playing on the Jamaican drums below:

The vibrations of a steel drum are full, fluid and bare a short decay. This combination of rich shimmering forces the percussionist to beat it quickly and with a certain feeling of excitement.

Jamaican steel drum music is soothing and satisfying. Its carefree mood makes it great for beach celebrations, cocktail parties and summer barbecues in the backyard.

How to Play Jamaican Steel Drums

You can easily learn to play Jamaican steel drums even if you have little or no experience in playing musical instruments.

With percussion steel pans, you need to let your creativity dictate the rhythm. Experiment with the hits to combine notes and vibrations. Try your hand at different steel drums to discover the one that suits your style best.

Follow the enthusiasm that comes with every touch of the metal drum and expand your style until it becomes a recognizable tonal palette.

Where to Buy Steel Drums

If you are looking for Jamaican steel drums for sale, you should opt for online shops that sell original instruments, but I’ll add a few sponsored links below for you to be able to check the prices online.

You should purchase a new steel drum even if it’s the first pan of its kind that you see or touch. Avoid buying second-hand Jamaican steel drums. They may be out-of-tune, damaged or modified to suit the style of its previous owner.

When you buy steel pans from a trusted seller, make sure to add a pair of bamboo sticks and an electronic tuner to your shopping cart. This way, you will have the complete set of Jamaican steel drums that will play that exotic, carefree sound wherever you are.

Every time I heard steel tongue drum music, I wanted to learn how to play it myself. It didn’t take very long before I got myself the first one.

Now that I have a couple of years of experiences behind me, it wanted to pay it forward by sharing some of the knowledge I picked a long way.

In this article you will be able to find out more about steel tongue drum (others call it hank drum and tank drum), what are its origin including an extensive buyer and user guide.

You will be able to use when buying your first (or maybe second and even third) drum. I have also included reviews of some of the most popular models to your buying process more accessible.

If you are in a hurry, Here is my favorite pick:

Moukey 10″ Drum
This handcrafted steel tongue drum with mallets has a big sound. Owing to the materials this drum is made from, the unique mixture of the alloy allows the drum to have the best possible sound.

Playing this instrument is effortless, and with an intuitive arrangement, you can create great new sounds.

Check it on Amazon

Quick Steel Tongue Drum History

The origin of tongue drum has Aztec or African origin. It is also called a tone drum o a log drum.

The traditional African log drum is crafted from the hollowed log, the modern form is a box made from wood with tongues on its top and is played with a mallets.

The working principle and the base design of this drum are the same as the original hang, but there are differences as well.

It is shaped like a propane tank with the base is cut-off. The top part of the instrument has seven to ten radially-cut “tongues”.

These tongues are of different sizes because it can determine the note. However, there are other ways for you to get the desired tone; the size of the tongue is only one of them.

You can increase its weight using the neodymium magnet, and you can create a different sound. It is also a great way to get the desired scale with the same tongue size.

When we talk about scales, the steel tongue drum has many keys variation. The early releases of the instrument have the standard diatonic or pentatonic scales.

The newest one has a wide range of tone colors. For a beginner, you should stick to the common minor and major scale. If you want a more exotic sound, then try the scales.

How Does a Steel Tongue Drum Work?

The concept of the instrument is straight forward. Just like the steelpan drums and the hand pan drums, this instrument belongs to the idiophone family of percussion instruments.

 
The steel tongue drums have different numbers of cut-out tongues in various sizes.

Since the tongues are made into different sizes, they produce different vibrations, and that is how the different notes are made.

You don’t have to use a special technique to master the instrument. All you need to do is to pick up the drum and use your mallets and start flying.

What Does a Steel Tongue Drum Sound Like?

Steel tongue drums sound a lot like handpans. They have beautiful harmonic and peaceful sound and is not unusual that a lot of people use them for meditation or Yoga. Their sounds are magical and diverse.

Check the video below to listen to a few samples of how they sound.

How to Choose Steel Tongue Drum?

This is one of the most common questions I get, and there are no simple answers. The most important thing is to choose a drum that will fit your needs.

By that, I mean that it sounds good to you. A steel tongue drum contains a resonating and sound spectrum that has a spring sound effect when tapped using the fingertips or mallets.

Since they have different scales and made from various materials, they sound different from each other.

And you can’t try them out to hear how they sound; I suggest that you check YouTube videos from most of its manufacturers. You can listen to how they sound too.

How to Choose Steel Tongue Drum for Beginners?

If you are a beginner and you are looking for a drum to start your music journey, you might be looking for a simple tongue drum.

If it is an affordable solution is what you are after; a small drum measures about 5 to 8-inch drum with eight notes should be enough.

By purchasing a drum this size and scale, you don’t have to buy a new one once you have mastered the instrument.

Steel Tongue Drum Price Guide

The steel tongue drum is a cheaper alternative to its cousin the hand pan; hence, it is becoming more popular.

You can buy them for around $60 to $600 for the bigger drums, and they are a lot to get your hands on. This is the reason why a lot of people are buying steel tongue drum instead of the hand pan.

A brand-new tongue drum which is smaller in size can go for as little as $60 (for the mini drum), and the high-end options can usually go up to $300.

While some might be a bit more expensive, it is more of an exception than anything else.

About two to three years ago, you cannot get a tongue drum for under $200.

Best Steel Tongue Drum Reviews

This section contains some of the best steel tongue drum reviews. It includes drums for beginners and professionals and some of the most popular ones.

To rank the best among the drums out there, we choose them based on the sound quality, the content of the kit, how they look, scale and of course the price.

	Price	Features
	Read review	1. Moukey Mini 11 Note Drum Main features | D major, padded travel bag included Size | 10"
	Read review	2. Moukey mini 8 note drum Main features | D major, padded travel bag included Size | 10"
	Read review	3. Luvay Tank Drum Main features | D major, allets, music book, bag, notes sticker, pick included Size | 10"
	Read review	4. Luvay Propane Tank Drum Main features | Handmade, small, great for traveling Size | 6"
	Read review	5. Lomuty Tongue Percussion Drum Main features | C major, all accessories included Size | 12"
	Read review	6. Younar Mini Hank Drum Main features | D major, portable Size | 5.5"
	Read review	7. Richday metal drum Main features | D major, 8 notes, drum bag included Size | 10"
	Read review	8. Guda drum Freezbee Main features | Custom scale available, engraved by hand, beautiful Size | 14.7"

1. Moukey Steel Tongue Drum

The Moukey Steel Tongue Drum is a simple handmade drum that is constructed well from hard alloy and built to last.

Its dimensions are 10.5 inches in diameter with a height of 5.5 inches and weigh about 5 pounds. To make the drum shockproof, it has silicone feet, and the bottom of the drum is well sealed.

Thus, producing a smoother tone and the volume is a lot louder. This also delivers a more accurate sound not only because of how well it is made but because of the position of the tongues as well.

With a wide of music, the drum can create even beginner will enjoy making music based on the score.

The pack contains the steel tongue drum, a pair of drumsticks, two-tone stickers, a carrying bag, and strap.

Check Price on Amazon.com

2. Moukey Mini Tongue Drum

This mini tongue drum from Moukey has the same specs as the #2 reviewed item here on the list but a little smaller.

For those looking for a perfect mini steel tongue drum, then this is the ideal choice. The drum measures about 10 inches in diameter and stands at 5.5 inches tall.

It comes with two mallets with rubber on the tip and measures about 8 inches long. It also comes with a padded travel bag with adjustable straps.

You can play a large number of musical scores, and it is easy to learn how to play the instrument; even beginners can have a lot of fun doing music.

Because the drum is handcrafted from the finest alloy, it can produce beautiful sounds for mind relaxation, meditation, and Yoga.

All tongues can produce good and clear tones. Its finish is lovely and earthy with rubber feet so it can sit on hard surfaces.

Check Price on Amazon.com

3. Luvay Tank Drum

What makes this tank drum unique is the lotus flower design of its tongue. It is handcrafted from steel-titanium alloy.

The green coating protects the drum from corrosion. To make the drums more stable on hard surfaces while playing, it is equipped with silicone feet.

This drum has a dimension of 10 inches in diameter and stands at 6 inches. It has a modest weight of 5 pounds.

Each package consists of the drum, a pair of mallets, the music book, traveling bag, handpicks and the notes sticker.

The sounds that the drums produced a pleasant and soothing perfect for meditation, Yoga, mind relaxation, other activities.

With the notes easy to figure out, it is fun and intuitive to play. If you are looking for a tank drum that is simple and affordable, then this is the perfect instrument for you.

Check Price on Amazon.com

4. Luvay 8 Notes Propane Tank Drum

This propane tank drum is the modest size and portable version of the Luvay tank drum we have listed above. It also has the same lotus flower design.

This drum can produce eight sounds with the eight tones in D major that can be played by hands, mallets or fingerpicks that are included with the package.

It is beautifully handcrafted with the use of steel-titanium alloy and has a corrosion-resistant coating. It protects the drum from corrosive materials.

The instrument is easy to learn how to play as a music book is also included. It is of modest size with a dimension of 6 inches in diameter and a height of 6 inches.

It weighs about 2 pounds. The sounds it produced are soothing and pleasant. It is also very affordable for a beginner.

Check Price on Amazon.com

5. Lomuty Steel Tongue Percussion Drum

This steel tongue percussion drum from Lomuty is more significant than the rest of the items reviewed here. Its dimensions include 12 inches diameter, the height of 8.3 inches and with a weight of 7.7 pounds.

Like most of the drums reviewed here, it also has silicon feet to stabilize the drum while playing.

This drum is a beautiful lotus-flower tongue in a sandalwood color.

It is durable and handmade from the steel-titanium alloy and finishes with corrosion-resistant paint.

The drum comes with a pair of mallets, a music book, a traveling case, sets of note stickers, and a set of hand pick.

The sounds it produced is captivating and ethereal perfect for relaxation, meditation, and Yoga.

The music book contains about 50 songs in English, which is perfect for a beginner. Because it is in C major, it is easy to play as there are no sharp notes or flats.

Check Price on Amazon.com

6. Younar Mini Hank Drum

This Hank drum from Younar is a portable percussion instrument with only 5.5 inches in diameter and 8 centimeters in height and weighs only 1.8 pounds.

It also comes with a traveling backpack to carry the instrument easily when on the go.

Each of these drums is carefully handcrafted from mixed alloy. The surface is painted with environment-friendly paint that does not fade.

The feet have a silicone foot pad to make them stable even on a hard, uneven surface. It comes with wooden drum sticks to play the drum with.

It can produce seven sounds in D Major and designed more of as a Hank drum. The decals indicate the tonal sounds.

Check Price on Amazon.com

7. Richday Metal Tongue Drum

This Richday metal tongue drum is classified as a mini drum by the company, but in reality, its dimensions belong to a standard-sized drum.

It has a diameter of 10 inches and a height of 13 inches. The thickness is about 5 inches and weighs about 2.5 kilograms.

The drum can produce eight sounds in the D major pentatonic steel. It can produce pure and soothing sounds.

This makes playing the drums a stress reliever for relaxation and peaceful energy to the body.

Because the drum is affordable, it is the best option for any beginner.

Check Price on Amazon.com

8. Guda Tongue Drum

This drum is the best-looking one on the list and looks a lot like a Hang drum.

This Guda tongue drum is unique and handmade and produces a loud sound and is played well using the hand unlike the rest of the drums listed here.

The drum is made out of stainless steel and carefully decorated by hand. It has a diameter of 14.7 inches but weighs only 4 pounds.

Because it is very slim, it is ideal for taking outdoors.

It also includes a rope decoration that creates circular patterns. The beautiful design keeps the instrument in the living area as a decoration, but it can also be easily stored.

Because it is a lot more similar to a hand pan, it offers more portability, sustained resonance, and uses mallets to play. It produces a beautiful sound and can be more popular if the price is a little lower.

Check Price on Amazon.com

Where to Buy Steel Tongue Drum?

Not all local music shops carry steel tongue drums, and you can find them in some highly specialized and well-stocked shops.

However, there are also other ways to get them. If you have the time, you can buy them from the manufacturer.

Most of these companies have an online catalog, and you can have the option to order from them.

However, many customers experience longer waiting time that some may even take a few months to receive the item.

This is especially true for customized items. If a customer wants a custom steel tongue drum, this is the only way to go.

Amazon is my personal favorite when it comes to purchasing a tank drum because they give the biggest selection, and they have an excellent return policy.

Recommended Brands

There are a lot of good manufacturers for steel tongue drums, but there are a few that stand out. I made a list of my favorite brands and those that are well received among players.

All the brands from our list above are great, but there are also some other drums that I like to mention:

• Guda
• Hapi drum
• Idiopan
• Zenko

Accessories that You Should Consider Buying for Your Drums

In reality, steel tongue drums don’t need a lot of accessories. All you need is a drum and a pair of mallets (if you will use them to play the drums).

However, I would recommend that you get a steel tongue drum bag. It will make it easier to carry the drum around.

Most of the steel tongue drums come with its bag, and you don’t have to buy them separately. However, if you have to, it will only cost a few dollars.

Second Hand Steel Tongue Drum: Is It Worth It?

One of the options of acquiring a steel tongue drum is to buy a used one. There are plenty of them on eBay and other similar sites.

That is to save some money, but it might not always be worth it, especially if you are buying online.

Compared to seeing the drum personally where you can see if its is damaged, out of tune or anything else that wrong with it. You cannot do this online.

In case you received the item with damage, or it is out of tune, you can always return it and get your money back.

New steel tongue drums do not cost a lot of money and buying a pre-loved one may not be worth it after all.

Steel Tongue or Hand Pan Drum?

People often can’t decide if they should buy a steel tongue drum or a hand pan drum for a lot of reasons because both of them have a similar sound and feel although the steel tongue drum is much smaller and more affordable.

The hand pan drum sounds better than steel tongue drums, especially if the latter is played with hands. The steel tongue drums also offer a lot of options because it is easy to make.

If you have the money and can’t decide which of the two to buy, I would suggest a hand pan drum or both because the steel tongue drum is very affordable.

How to Play the Steel Tongue Drum

You can play this drum in two ways: with your finger or with the mallets with rubber tips. However, there is a difference in the sound they make.

Playing with mallets can give you a louder and more harmonic sound. Playing with fingers doesn’t sound as loud, and your fingers can also hurt if you use it for a while, especially if you are a beginner.

The picks can make it sound like you are playing with mallets, and your fingers will hurt less.

Conclusion

Steel tongue drums came in a wide range of notes and can produce harmonic and beautiful sounds that are perfect for relaxation, meditation, and other same activities.

It can be used by beginners or professionals who want to explore the different possibilities this instrument has.

The beauty of steel tongue drums is there are no wrong musical notes, and they are easier to play even if you are a novice, you can master steel tongues in a short time.

If you have any question or you want more information about steel tongue drums, feel free to comment down below, and I will get back to you.

When it comes to learning an instrument, in this case, a steel pan drum, some say that every instrument is good, to begin with. In a way, it’s true, but some instruments are better than the others. So, why to buy any instrument for beginners, when you can get the best one?

Best steel pan drum for beginners 2020

That’s why I want to introduce you to the best steel pan drums for beginners available. I’ll make brief but detailed reviews, comparing the price with the quality of the sound and craftsmanship, including extra features and tools.

So you’ve heard a Caribbean tune played on a steel pan drum and you want to get one as soon as possible, which is awesome. But most of the beginners have no real knowledge of what to choose, at least I didn’t. That’s why I want to show you my choices for best steel pan drums for beginners out there, for both kids and adults and explain what you will get for the money you pay.

	Price	Product
		1. Panyard Jumbie Jam Table Top Steel Pan Drum
		2. Jumbie Jam Steel Drum Instrument by Panyard
		3. Steel Pan Drum by Steel Drum Source
		4. 14“ Steel Drum Instrument from Steel Drum Source
		5. Tabletop Mini C Steel Pan Instrument

Panyard Jumbie Jam Table Top Steel Pan Drum

This is actually the go-to steel pan drum that I show to everyone that wants to get into playing this instrument. Awarded by the National Association of Music Merchants, this steel drum comes with a neat collapsible tabletop stand and mallets. There’s also a practical beginner’s songbook for quick and easy learning. Every member of the family can enjoy playing it.

The drum is quite lightweight and compact (19.4 x 17.1 x 3.4). It’s great you need to store it for a while or take it somewhere. You’ll get a hip carrying case with it too. The notes marked on it, A, B, C, D, E, F, F#, G, sound clean and well-tuned and provide that mellow island sound.

I always praise it since it’s really the best product in this price range. Basically, a steel pan drum perfect for every beginner, affordable, quality made, practical and atop of it all, designed to both look good and be a joy to play.

Check price on Amazon

Jumbie Jam Steel Drum Instrument by Panyard

Coming in close second is another Panyard steel drum instrument by the name of Jumbie Jam. It also comes with a neat and practical carrying case, mallets and a songbook, making it easy to transport, store and learn. But it also comes with a full-size stand and a play-along CD, you don’t even need to know how to read notes.

Panyard showed another great example of simple design, durability and user experience since everyone can learn to play quickly and easily. Besides a recreational and learning tool at home, it’s often found in music workshops and schools. It reaped two awards from the National Association of Music Merchants, one being “Best in Show” and the other “Best Tools for Schools” in 2010.

The only reason why this steel drum instrument is not the #1 on my list is its price. Don’t get me wrong, the price is still really affordable, but I wanted to go with the best price and quality ratio.

Check price on Amazon

Steel Pan Drum by Steel Drum Source

Skipping to another great handmade Caribbean steel drum pan in a mini version. Kids will have a blast learning it and being compact, makes this drum a great space saver. Mini steel drum (12.5 x 3) comes with a lightweight PVC stand that can be easily assembled.

Similar to the first two pans, every new steel pan enthusiast will get a free play-along DVD and a music booklet. Classic beginner tunes like Jingle Bells, Happy Birthday, London Bridge, This Old Man, Oh When the Saints Go Marching In, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Amazing Grace could be learned in no time with it. With 12 marked notes, this steel pan instrument provides more than enough sounds for a soon to be pannist.

Check price on Amazon

14“ Steel Drum Instrument from Steel Drum Source

Steel Drum Source on the list again with a bit larger steel drum instrument (14×3). With 9 notes in C Major Scale, you will be able to play more than enough beginner’s songs to learn the trade.

The package that comes with it is similar to other drums: 2 standard wooden sticks, lightweight PVC stand and a FREE play-along DVD with music booklet. The metal is carefully shaped to be in tune and produce the notes as accurate and clean as possible.

Booklet and the DVD are really easy to understand and you will learn to play tunes like Jingle Bells, Happy Birthday, London Bridges, This Old Man, Oh When the Saints Go Marching In, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Amazing Grace faster than you think.

Check price on Amazon

Tabletop Mini C Steel Pan Instrument

Finishing the list with the most affordable steel pan instrument – a tabletop 11”x1/2” Mini C black drum.

It’s an amazing introductory pan for kids older than 3 years and even adults. Made in Trinidad and Tobago, the country that is the home of the steel pan music itself. It includes a small red stand, two wooden drumsticks, and an instructional songbook.

This steel pan would be a great birthday present for kids, inspiring them to be more creative at the same time. The 9 C Major notes, more than enough for starters, are marked with different colors, giving it a fun colorful look.

Check price on Amazon

Final toughts

Wonder why I didn’t mention some high-level pans? The thing is, if you are starting to learn a steel pan instrument, you don’t want to overpay the first one unless you are 100% sure that you want the professional pan. Their price can easily go up to 1000$ and over. But not only that, they are a lot more complicated to play and you could be overwhelmed by it, therefore losing the motivation.

These beginner drums are way cheaper and you can still play a variety of songs even with one octave. More importantly, most of them have guides that will teach you how to play steel pan drum in no time. Even if you give up, which I hope you will not, you don’t lose much and at least you can know that you tried.

I really hope this will help you narrow the choice down. Once again, I would strongly recommend you the first drum if you want to get the best for your price. However, whichever steel pan drum you choose from this list you will not regret it.

I started looking for a small steel drum because my little nephew heard me playing the steel drum once and he liked it so much that he wanted to try it himself. Since he is a complete beginner and still a small boy, I naturally started looking for an instrument that has good quality, it is affordable and easy to learn. After some research, this handmade steel drum caught my eye on Amazon. I’ve decided to go for it, but also to test it out beforehand.

This small steel drum is every beginner’s dream come true

Small steel drum, as its name implies, was really compact and didn’t take a lot of my living space, which was appreciated.

I was honestly surprised how good it sounded, and I had a lot of fun even by just banging on it randomly when it arrived.
There are two versions available, one steel drum has 11 notes and the other one has 13 notes. You don’t have to worry about the size, both are compact and for the price, they are high quality.

All the playing surfaces are marked with the matching notes, for easier and smoother learning and memorizing.

This makes it a joy to play equally for more musical and less musical individuals.

Also, if you have a kid or a nephew/niece, this is a great way to introduce them to the world of music.

The mini-drum is 12 by 3 inches with the compressed wood base and a steel pan. I also got a lightweight PVC stand, which can be easily disassembled and put back together.

It’s quite handy if you want to take it with you and play somewhere else. The main tools for creating music – drumsticks, are made of wood with latex wrapped tips.

These cute small steel drums are made by Steel Drum Source, a renowned manufacturer, and seller of beginner instruments and mini steel drums. The communication was good and my small steel drum arrived within the expected period.

What did I get with mini steel drums?

Beside steel pan drum and stand, it also includes a play-along DVD with music booklet.

Here you can find some essential learning songs, which almost every musician had to learn at some point.

My nephew learned them in a matter of weeks, although he has never been a great musical talent prior to that.

The songs that the music booklet and play along DVD include are: Jingle Bells, Happy Birthday, London Bridge, This Old Man, Oh When the Saints Go Marching In, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star & Amazing Grace.

The things I liked the most about this steel drum were…

It really met most of the requirements I was looking for. The drum was affordable (way more affordable than the more professional ones) and the most importantly, it was designed with beginners and hobbyists in mind.

As soon as I started playing the first song, I knew I made the right decision since it made a really bright and full sound enjoyable to the ear.

The booklet makes it extremely easy to catch up with the tunes. The first song from the booklet that I played on this beginner steel drum was London Bridge and it sounded amazing.

I loved it that it’s handmade and not some mass-produced item, it’s also really compact, but not too small to still be enjoyable.

But it could improve a bit…

What bothered me with it is the quality of the stand, it’s a bit shaky and it was a bit hard to position it. But I guess that’s what it makes it easy to handle and move.

The other mild inconvenience I had with the small steel drum is that it’s a bit smaller than I expected. But for this price, you can hardly get a bigger one with the good sound and it was still easy to play despite that.

All things considered, I don’t regret a second buying it. It’s not a state-of-the-art instrument, but it’s fantastic for everyone that wants to learn to play it quickly and easily. Considering all the fun we had with it, I can easily say that this small steel drum was money well spent.

The Jumbie Jam Steel Drum is a fantastic percussion instrument that is amazing in quality and sound production.

What makes this drum so unique is the melodic sound that is produced due to the steel pan material.

Adjustable, easy-to-learn, and fun to practice, this drum can be a great option for individuals of any age and any skill.

Before purchasing, I had little experience playing with percussion instruments and found this drum appealing for a variety of reason related to that.

Not only can you learn it quickly with little music reading experience, but the drum is designed in a way that makes it feasible to easily understand how to play each and every note that this steel drum has the capacity to play.

I can’t think of a better-made beginner steel drum that is easy to learn, but also with such a great, pleasurable sound.

The drum is also manufactured in a way that allows it to be collapsed, so traveling with the drum is possible.

Jumbie jam technical details

The Jumbie Jam Steel Drum is manufactured by the Panyard Incorporated company, in the USA, as an easy-to-learn beginner styled instrument for enthusiastic drummers and percussionists.

The drum’s dimensions are 16 x 16 x 42 inches, leading to its light weight of about 7 pounds.

The drum, although coming in its classical metallic finished color, can also be purchased in blue and green, and can be ordered with a foot-shaped base that matches the color of the pan.

What’s included

The purchase of the drum kit comes with the musical pan itself, wooden drumming mallets, a stand that can be adjusted or collapsed in order to arrive at a comfortable height for each and every player, as well as a beginner’s guidebook, songbook, and play along CD, which I thought were extremely impressive additions.

With Jumbie jam you get all you need to start learning how to play steel drum.

Pros

The pros of the Jumbie Jam are limitless. The biggest pro, in my opinion, is the simplicity of the instrument.

For anyone that hopes to transition into serious steel drum player, this is a perfect way to learn the basics all while making great music and having fun learning a variety of songs.

Another pro is the portability. It’s relatively small, light and easy to reassemble. I can carry it with me everywhere and thus practice in diverse settings and environments. This also means that is easy to disassemble and put it under bad or in a closet.

The cost of the Jumbie Jam Steel Drum is another huge pro. It is a truly inexpensive option, considering the cost of other options that are similar.

Cons

One con is the music selection that comes with the purchase. I would like to have a book that has more song options!