D minor pentatonic across eight tongues
This log drum is built with eight tongues tuned to a D minor pentatonic scale: d - f - g - a - c' - d' - f' - g'. A pentatonic scale contains no note that clashes with the others, so whatever order you strike the tongues in, the melody always blends. The minor character gives it a more serious, introspective voice than its major-based siblings.
Padouk soundboard, solid alder body
The tone comes from a soundboard made of padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii), the wood that shapes the long-ringing, slightly woody character typical of log drums. Beneath it resonates a body of solid alder, which gives the sound its depth and fullness. Carefully selected components ensure that every tongue speaks with the same clarity.
With mallets or with your hands
The instrument is best played with mallets - the maker recommends the MA102 and MA103 - but it also responds to palms and fingertips. A soft head gives a rounder, warmer tone, while a harder mallet produces a brighter, more rhythmic attack.
Size and use
The drum measures 60 x 20 x 18 cm, so it can be played on a table, on a chair, on the floor or resting on your lap. It is an ideal companion in a drum circle, works well in music education, and suits sound therapy sessions too: the long-sustaining wooden voice provides a calming foundation.