- What’s the difference between a hank drum and steel tongue drum?
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There isn’t one. This instrument goes by many names: steel tongue drum, hank drum, butadrum, hand drum, etc. As it’s a relatively new instrument, several names exist for it. Choose the one you prefer!
- What’s the difference between a hang drum and a Beat Root steel tongue drum?
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The differences between a hang drum (also called a hand pan) and the Beat Root drum is not only in the manufacturing but also in the sound of these instruments:
- The hang drum features hammered and distorted strike zones while the Beat Root has cut ones.
- The hang drum is much larger at 24 inches in diameter), while the Beat Root is much smaller at 12 inches in diameter, which makes the latter much easier to transport.
- Hang drums are much more expensive, up to 5 times more.
- Expect to wait up to a year to get a hang drum while Beat Root steel tongue drums are available for immediate use. - What are the dimensions and weight of your steel tongue drums?
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Our steel tongue drums measure 12 inches in diameter and 6 inches high. They weigh 11 lbs.
- Is it possible to buy a steel tongue drum in a particular scale and for what price?
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We do not offer custom scales. The ones available are:
- The Akebono scale: G A Bb D Eb G A Bb
- The Pentatonic scale: G B D E G A B D
- The minor scale: G C D Eb G A Bb De
- The major scale: G C D E G A B D + variations using the tuning kit. - Can you play the steel tongue drum using mallets?
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Yes, you can use mallets to play your Beat Root. In fact, the sound is rather interesting. FYI, the Beat Root comes with mallets. Keep in mind, we strongly discourage playing it using hard mallets, such as those for xylophones or drums, which may damage the instrument.
- Can the Beat Root go out of tune, and if so, how do you tune it?
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The quality and thickness of the alloy used in the manufacturing of Beat Root, combined with the heat treatment following tuning, guarantees very stable tuning. Therefore, there is no need to tune it again.
- How does the tuning kit work?
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The tuning kit lets you tune each note a full or semitone down (not up) with the help of magnets you place under the tongues. This way, you can create dozens of variations based on the major scale; however, there are fewer possible variations from another scale.
- Can you create any scale with the tuning kit?
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The tuning kit lets you tweak the scales but does not let you produce any note desired. You can tune each note down a full or semitone, which offers plenty of possibilities, but it’s all based around the G scale. Details on the available scales with a G Major Beat Root and the tuning kit are on the how to change the scale of your tongue drum page page.
- The tuning kit is designed for the G major scale. Can you use it with other scales?
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The G Major Beat Root is deal for the tuning kit because it allows for many variants. You can also use it with a Beat Root in a different scale, but there will be fewer possibilities.
- How long does shipping take?
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Shipping for an instrument in stock usually takes 4 business days.
- What’s the difference between an acoustic and electro-acoustic Beat Root?
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The only difference between the two versions is the electro-acoustic one has a microphone and 6.3 mm jack, which let you connect it to an amp, mixer, sound card, etc.
- Can you plug headphones into the jack on an electro-acoustic Beat Root?
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No. If you want to listen to your Beat Root with headphones, you have to connect them to a 3.5 mm jack on an amp or mixer connected to your Beat Root.
- Do you need an amp to produce sound with the electro-acoustic Beat Root?
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No. The electro option allows for extra connections, and when it’s not connected, it functions exactly like the acoustic version.
- Are there any Beat Root drums with 432 Hz tuning?
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Because the demand for 432 Hz tuning is low, we opted to manufacture instruments with only 440 Hz tuning. However, if you absolutely want one with 432 Hz tuning, please contact us.
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