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Steel Tongue Drums - Meinl Sonic Energy | Into Music Store

Into Music Store stocks one of the most comprehensive ranges of Meinl Sonic Energy steel tongue drums available from a UK retailer - from the pocket-sized 3" PSTD through to the full-size 16" Octave models, covering a wide range of tunings, sizes, finishes, and price points. Steel tongue drums are easy to play without prior musical experience and produce a warm, meditative tone well suited to sound healing, meditation, yoga, and personal practice.

Not sure which steel tongue drum is right for you? Call us on 01507 526517 for expert advice, or visit us in our Horncastle showroom. UK next day delivery available.

Shop by Size

  • Pocket (3") - The most compact option, available in A Major in Gold, Purple Lotus Flower, and Blue Venus Flower designs. A great introduction to the instrument or a portable companion for travel and meditation
  • Mini (6") - Available in A Major Navy Blue, B Major Gold, and C Major Black. A step up in volume and resonance from the Pocket, still highly portable
  • Small (7") - Available in C Minor Gold, G Minor Navy Blue, and F Minor Black. Richer tone than the Mini with a slightly larger playing surface
  • Medium Octave (10") - Available in C Major Gold (432 Hz), C Minor Navy Blue, B Minor Black, and F# Minor Dark Green. The Octave construction gives a two-octave range from a compact instrument
  • Standard (12") - Available in G Minor, G Dur, A Minor, and A Akebono tunings in Black and Vintage Brown finishes. The most popular size for sound healing and regular practice
  • Octave (16") - The largest and most resonant option. Available in D Kurd Black (8-note and 9-note) and D Amara Navy Blue (plain and engraved floral design). Exceptional depth and sustain

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Steel Tongue Drums - Buyer's Guide | Into Music Store UK

Steel tongue drums are one of the most accessible and rewarding instruments available for sound healing, meditation, yoga, and personal musical exploration. Unlike most instruments, they require no prior musical experience to play - simply strike the tongues with your fingers or the included mallets to produce a warm, resonant, meditative tone. The pentatonic and modal tunings used in most steel tongue drums mean that almost any combination of notes sounds musical, making them ideal for improvisation and intuitive playing.

Meinl Sonic Energy is one of the leading manufacturers of steel tongue drums, and Into Music Store stocks one of the most comprehensive Meinl Sonic Energy steel tongue drum ranges available from a UK independent retailer - from the pocket-sized 3" PSTD through to the full-size 16" Octave models.

Choosing the right size is the most important decision when buying a steel tongue drum. Larger drums produce a deeper, more resonant tone with greater sustain and volume - better suited to sound baths, group sessions, and regular practice. Smaller drums are more portable and accessible, and are a good starting point for beginners or for use in personal meditation and travel. The 12" Standard models are the most popular choice for sound healing practitioners and regular players, offering a balance of resonance, playability, and portability.

The tuning of a steel tongue drum determines its tonal character and the emotional quality of the sound it produces. Minor tunings (A Minor, C Minor, G Minor, F# Minor, D Kurd) produce a darker, more introspective sound well suited to meditation and sound healing. Major tunings (C Major, A Major, B Major, G Dur) produce a brighter, more uplifting sound. The Akebono scale is a Japanese pentatonic scale with a distinctive, contemplative character. The D Amara tuning is a popular choice for its warm, meditative quality.

The Octave models (10" Medium Octave and 16" Octave) feature a two-octave range achieved through a unique tongue construction, giving them significantly greater melodic range than standard steel tongue drums of the same size. This makes them particularly well suited to more musical applications and to players who want to explore melody and harmony as well as rhythm and texture.

All Meinl Sonic Energy steel tongue drums come with mallets included. Replacement and upgrade mallets are available separately, as are holders for displaying and storing your drum.

If you're looking for steel tongue drums for sale in the UK and want to try before you buy, you're welcome to visit our showroom in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Our team can help you find the right size, tuning, and finish for your practice. UK next day delivery is available on all orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

A steel tongue drum is a percussion instrument made from a steel shell with cut tongues of different lengths that produce different pitches when struck. They are easy to play without prior musical experience - simply strike the tongues with your fingers or the included mallets to produce a warm, resonant, meditative sound. Steel tongue drums are popular for sound healing, meditation, yoga, and as a first instrument for adults and children.
Larger drums produce a deeper, more resonant tone with greater sustain and volume. The 12" Standard models are the most popular choice for sound healing practitioners and regular players. The 16" Octave models offer the greatest depth and resonance. Smaller drums (Pocket, Mini, Small) are more portable and are a good starting point for beginners or for travel and personal meditation. The 10" Medium Octave is a good middle ground - compact but with a two-octave range.
Standard steel tongue drums have a single octave of notes. Octave models (the 10" Medium Octave and 16" Octave) feature a unique tongue construction that gives them a two-octave range from the same instrument, significantly increasing their melodic range and versatility. Octave models are particularly well suited to players who want to explore melody and harmony as well as rhythm and texture.
Minor tunings (A Minor, C Minor, G Minor, F# Minor, D Kurd, D Amara) produce a darker, more introspective sound well suited to meditation and sound healing. Major tunings (C Major, A Major, B Major, G Dur) produce a brighter, more uplifting sound. The Akebono scale is a Japanese pentatonic scale with a distinctive, contemplative character. If you're unsure, A Minor and D Kurd are among the most popular choices for sound healing and meditation.
Yes - steel tongue drums are one of the most accessible instruments available. The pentatonic and modal tunings used mean that almost any combination of notes sounds musical, making them ideal for improvisation and intuitive playing. No prior musical experience is required.
Yes - you're welcome to visit our showroom in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, where our team can help you find the right size and tuning for your practice. You can also call us on 01507 526517 for expert advice before ordering online. UK next day delivery is available on all steel tongue drums in our range.