Specifications
- Shape: oval
- Dimensions: 54 × 31 cm
- Depth (frame height): 7 cm
- Frame material: beech wood, multi-layer laminated and bent
- Skin: natural horsehide (from small farms, partly organic)
- Lacing: leather cord
- Finish: natural hard-wax oil
- Included: 1 leather-headed mallet
- Weight: approx. 1.0 kg
- Origin: Germany (Lassan), handcrafted
Sound and character
The oval form delivers a unique sonic experience: the long and short axes differ in length, so the membrane offers two distinct fundamentals depending on where you strike. Along the long axis the tone is deeper, fuller and longer in sustain; along the short axis it is brighter, more defined and slightly tighter. Two drums in one body — wonderfully expressive, conversational playing. The horsehide character is here too: a round, deep colour in the centre and a brighter, percussive zone near the edges. Every oval drum sounds unique.
How to use
The oval shape is a favourite for shamanic and ceremonial play, where you want to alternate two different pitches on a single instrument. Excellent for leading ceremonies, accompanying singing, leading drum circles, or dialogue-style rhythm in therapy groups. Ergonomically easier to hold one-handed along its long axis than a round drum of the same size. Play with the included leather mallet or by hand.
Why this product
If you want to make your ceremonial drumming truly conversational — one stroke deep, the next brighter — the oval form gives you exactly that in a single instrument. Hand-built, natural materials, long-lasting build.
Care tips
- Store at stable, moderate humidity — sudden dryness or moisture changes skin tension.
- Before playing, sound both axes to learn the two fundamentals.
- Alternating between the two axes lets you play dialogue-like rhythms with one hand — worth practising.
- Never insert objects between the lacing — pinching hazard.
- For transport, use a matching padded oval bag.
About Feeltone
Feeltone is a craft instrument workshop in Lassan, northern Germany, founded by Ingo Böhme. For more than two decades the team has built monochords, sound beds, sound chairs and ritual drums for therapists, sound artists and meditation practitioners. Every instrument is hand-built from sustainably sourced woods and finished with natural hard-wax oil.