Although it may not be the most commonly played musical instrument out there, the fun and enjoyable hand drums are surely gaining more and more popularity. As you may already know hand drums are a special type of drums we know and love. If you or someone you know is planning on starting to learn a new instrument the hand drum is a great choice. For any beginner, the first purchase of their instrument of choice is always very crucial. The same is true for anyone looking to buy a new hand drum for a beginner. A quick search on the internet is enough to let you know that there is a huge variety of options available for you to choose from. However, to help find the product that is best for you, we have created this list that features a buying guide for hand drums as well as the best hand drums for beginners that are available in the market.
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Buying Guide
This buying guide is here to understand more about what features to keep in mind when purchasing a beginner their very first hand drum.
Wood, Skin, and Sound
When purchasing a hand drum, it is very important to make sure that the sound is good. There are many factors that come into play it comes to the sound and tone of the instrument.
It is important to take a good look at the size of the drum, the shape of the drum and the bearing edge, as well as the diameter and length of the instrument, All of the above factors as well as the roughness of the interior influence how the sound escapes the drum.
Shell
The wooden shell should be carefully inspected to ensure that there are no cracks on the surface. Cracks usually tend to appear around the bottom edges of the drum, where it is set to rest on the surface. Hand drums with cracks that reach the wood should be avoided completely.
Ring
You should look for any weld breaks, particularly on the bottom ring, which is often welded to the drum shell and cannot be removed. Feel for any burrs or punctures that may cause problems.
The rings are often wrapped in a cloth to keep the rust off the skin and for aesthetic reasons. The rings in a hand drum should not be twisted and should be oval.
Rope
Nice and taut vertical ropes should already be present on a well-built drum. When the drum is sitting upright, the knots used to lace the verticals together in the flipping diamonds pattern should form a pleasant straight line around the drum that is also parallel to the floor.
Best Hand Drums for Beginners in 2021
Product Name |
Features |
Price Range |
Check on Amazon |
Satnam Copper Bayan |
|
$$$ |
|
Meinl Percussion Djembe |
|
$$$ |
|
Set of 6 Remo Fiberskyn |
|
$$$ |
|
Sawtooth harmony |
|
$$$ |
|
Meinl Percussion |
|
$$$ |
1. Satnam Copper Bayan – Best Hand Made
The hand crafted Copper Satnam Bayan is undoubtedly one of the best hand drums from around India. It has a very unique style as it is a tabla and it can be used to play almost any rhythm of the music.
Pros:
- A handmade style that is stunning.
- A wide range of useful accessories
- Professional level of quality
- Excellent packaging
Cons:
- There are lower resonances.
- Occasionally, a minor scratch occurs
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2. Meinl Percussion Djembe – Best Overall
Mahogany wood is used to make the Djembes. Because of the selected goat skin head, Meinl Percussion can create a warmer tone, allowing musicians to reach from normal resonant bass notes to high pitch ones. This will surely make the Djembes a great purchase if you are a beginner.
Pros:
- 1 piece mahogany plantation
- with the selected goatskin drum head
- Tuned by Mali-Weave system
- Tuning is easy.
Cons:
- Bass quality is medium.
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3. Set of 6 Remo Fiberskyn 8 – Best in Durability
This frame drum set from Remo Fiberskyn is made of synthetic fiber and will surely appeal to comfort seekers and beginners. It comes in six different sizes, each of which has been pre-tuned for use. On top of that, the hand drum will not adjust the pitch in high temperature or moisture conditions, making it easy to store and transport.
Pros:
- Automatically calibrated
- Exceptional durability
Cons:
- Sounds a little sloppy
- There would be less bass.
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4. Sawtooth Harmony – Best in Resonating Sound
Sawtooth-Harmony, a cool hand drum made of mahogany wood, is another best hand drum that beginners should look into. Due to the high quality handpicked goatskin head, the sound quality is even suitable for skilled musicians, with outstanding sound resonation and deep bass notes. This will surely make an amazing gift for an aspiring hand drummer.
Pros:
- Resonant sound that is very impressive.
- Head of the drum is made of premium goatskin
- Bass is deep.
- Style is stunning.
Cons:
- Gets scratches on the surface very easily
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5. Meinl Percussion – Best in Traditional Round Frame
The Meinl Percussion frame drums have historically represented the oldest traditional drums used throughout the generations. The instrument’s hardwood frame creates a warm, sustained tone. Enabling this rounded frame hand drum to perform a variety of playing styles in music.
Pros:
- Frame with a typical rounded shape
- Simple to play
- The sound resonates
Cons:
- Less long-term longevity
- There will be no tuning.
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Final Words
While there are no rules to art and music, you are completely free to choose whichever hand drum you prefer. However, it is important to take the time to find what attracts you in order to purchase the perfect hand drum for you.
