A vivid, detailed mandala pattern covers this 14 cm steel tongue drum. Teardrop-shaped paisleys, tiny flowers and dotted circles in orange, red, blue and green sit on a dark green background. The base is blue and stands on three rubber feet. Each tongue cut into the metal gives a different note. Made in India.
Paisleys and flowers on green
The curved teardrop motif is known as paisley. In India and Persia it has decorated shawls and carpets for centuries. On this drum it mixes with flowers and small mandalas, so from whichever side you look, there is always something new to spot.
Its pattern differs from the 13 cm Mandala: this is the brighter, green-based version, and it is a little larger too, roughly the size of a saucer.
How does it sound?
Strike the end of a tongue briefly with a rubber-tipped mallet and let it bounce back. You can also play with your fingers: touch the tongue quickly with your fingertip and lift it straight away. Every tongue gives a different note. Mallets give a stronger sound, fingers a softer one, and near the base of a tongue it is duller.
You will manage without any musical training. If you play two or three neighbouring tongues in turn, a simple tune comes out, which you can build on later.
Somewhere dry, with a soft cloth
Wipe the painted steel with a soft, dry cloth, and don't store it anywhere damp. Don't strike it with anything hard or metal, as the paint could chip. If you play it outside on the terrace, bring it in for the night.