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Last updated: 30 Aug 2021

Review of the Best Steel Drums for Beginners

Best Overall
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Inscape Data 8 Notes 6 inch C-Key Handpan Steel Drum
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Runner-Up
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Lomuty 11 Notes 12 inches Steel Drum
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Honorable Mention
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Musfunny 6 inches 8 Notes Percussion Instrument Steel Drum
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Also Consider
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Rakumi Lotus Hand Pan 12 Inch 13 Note Steel Drum
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Derek Sautter
By Derek Sautter
Published 6:10 pm
Show contents
  • 1 Inscape Data 8 Notes 6 inch C-Key Handpan Steel Drum
  • 2 Lomuty 11 Notes 12 inches Steel Drum
  • 3 Musfunny 6 inches 8 Notes Percussion Instrument Steel Drum
  • 4 Rakumi Lotus Hand Pan 12 Inch 13 Note Steel Drum
  • 5 Panyard W1070 Authentic High Quality Steel Drum
  • 6 Luvay 6 inches 8 Notes Percussion Instrument Steel Drum
  • 7 AKLOT 10 inch 11 Notes C Key Percussion Steel Drum
  • 8 Yinama Percussion Instrument 11 Notes 10 inches Steel Drum
  • 9 EASTROCK 11 Notes 10 Inch C Key Panda Steel Drum
  • 10 Panyard Jumbie Jam Authentic Steel Drum

A steel drum is a percussion instrument that’s been around for centuries. It's one of the oldest percussion instruments, and it can be used for many different types of music. There are a few steel drums worth using because of their quality construction and the amazing sound they produce. Finding the best steel drums for beginners in 2021 can be a challenging task. We’ve made a list of the best for you to choose from.

Best Steel Drum for Beginner

1

Inscape Data 8 Notes 6 inch C-Key Handpan Steel Drum

– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP

This drum comes with a handy travel bag and is perfect for the avid drummer. It comes in a variety of colors to match your style.

Key Features

This 6-inch steel tongue drum comes pre-tuned to the mixed c major with three different octaves and 432hz. The tone is ethereal and melodious, and the timbre is very stable. It has a nylon travel bag that holds it in place when not in use. There are eight tones consisting of pentatonic scales, which have a wider range of sound and can play more music. No musical background is needed, just bring a sense of exploration and yourself.

2

Lomuty 11 Notes 12 inches Steel Drum

– Runner-Up
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THE SCOOP

This drum has an old-fashioned design with a steel drumhead and natural wooden feet. The drum’s natural body is made of laminated iron and the bag has a soft-side lining for easy carrying.

Key Features

This 12-inch steel tongue drum comes pre-tuned to the mxied c major with three different octaves and 432hz. It’s hand-made of steel-titanium alloy, coated by green spraying-paint, corrosion resistant, applicable to a variety of fields, including music education, mind healing, yoga meditation and so on. The wide range of 11 tones consists of pentatonic scales, which have a wider range of sound and can play more music. No musical background is needed, just bring a sense of exploration and yourself.

3

Musfunny 6 inches 8 Notes Percussion Instrument Steel Drum

– Honorable Mention
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THE SCOOP

This drum features an open-mouthed design to improve the sound quality and even enhance the playing. It comes with an external carrying bag and mallets.

Key Features

This steel tongue drum is made of high-quality alloy steel material, with excellent finished surface and anti-corrosion. It has a wide range of sound and can be used in music education, mind healing, yoga meditation, etc. The drum emits pure, soothing notes. The drum comes with mallets or can be played with your fingers, so even beginer can use it easily. There’s also a shoulder strap so you can carry the drum wherever you go.

4

Rakumi Lotus Hand Pan 12 Inch 13 Note Steel Drum

– Also Consider
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THE SCOOP

This steel drum is a great choice for beginners, as it is lightweight and easy to carry.

Key Features

This set includes a steel drum, mallets, music book in English, and notes sticker. It’s made of water-based environmentally friendly paint which is pollution-free and does not fade. You can use it with most common tunes or just bring a sense of exploration and yourself. The package includes a steel drum, mallets, music book in english, bag, notes sticker, picks, usage-easy to use, applicable to a variety of fields including music education, mind healing, yoga meditation and so on.

5

Panyard W1070 Authentic High Quality Steel Drum

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THE SCOOP

This steel drum features a 100% solid steel bell-shaped bell drumhead. It’s made from top-grade steel and is ideal for kids and adults.

Key Features

This steel drum is made in the U.S., so you can be sure it’s authentic and will last for years to come. It comes with a free beginner’s guide/song book that includes five original songs as well as instructions on how to care for your instrument. The kit also includes a height adjustable tube floor stand where you can play mallets without having to worry about them falling out of the bag or getting caught up in an accident.

6

Luvay 6 inches 8 Notes Percussion Instrument Steel Drum

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THE SCOOP

This steel drum is excellent for people who are just starting out in the world of drums and want something simple and easy to learn.

Key Features

This set includes a steel drum, mallets, music book, bag, notes sticker, picks, hand-made of steel-titanium alloy, coated with green spraying-paint, corrosion resistant. It’s portable and can be used by hands, pickings, or mallets. The drums have 8 tongues tuned to make wonderful music by hands, picks, or mallets. They come in a small package that includes a steel drum, mallets, music book, bag, notes sticker, picks, hand-made of steel-titanium alloy, coated with green spraying-paint, corrosion resistant.

7

AKLOT 10 inch 11 Notes C Key Percussion Steel Drum

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THE SCOOP

This steel drum comes with a black and white pattern drum mallet, a flat mallets with two tips, and a drum bag.

Key Features

This 10-inch steel tongue drum features 11 notes standard C key with a wider range of sounds to play more various songs. The tone is ethereal and melodious, and the timbre is very stable. It’s made from titanium alloy for better corrosion resistance and heat resistance than carbon steel ones. You will get 1 steel tongue drum, 2 drum mallets, 1 mallet bracket, 6 finger picks, 1 set of note stickers, 1 music book and 1 travel bag.

8

Yinama Percussion Instrument 11 Notes 10 inches Steel Drum

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THE SCOOP

This steel drum is made of a durable chrome-plated steel. It has an all-metal body and authentic acoustic sound.

Key Features

These drums are made of steel-titanium alloy, coated with green spraying-paint. Each note has excellent resonance vibration each note checked with a tuner – minimum possible fluctuations. They’re portable and can be used in the classroom or anywhere else you want to use them. The sound test shows that all notes have excellent resonance vibration each note checked with a tuner – minimum possible fluctuations. This is an ideal gift for those who love music but don’t necessarily know how to play it.

9

EASTROCK 11 Notes 10 Inch C Key Panda Steel Drum

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THE SCOOP

This drum set features a unique design that is functional and attractive. It is crafted from high-quality stainless steel.

Key Features

EastRock’s panda drum is made of steel-titanium alloy, coated by brown spraying-paint. It has a laser positioning cutting that makes the tone more accurate and perfect. Shockproof silicone feet and the bottom of the tongue drum are sealed, so the tone is smoother, the volume is louder, and the tonality is more accurate. Each note has already been labelled number, you can find which you need to knock easily. The package includes a perfect tongue drum, a pair of mallets with bracket, note stickers, fingerpicks, travel bag and a music score.

10

Panyard Jumbie Jam Authentic Steel Drum

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THE SCOOP

This steel drum is made with chrome plated, solid hardwood and is equipped with a chrome-finish floor stand. It’s equipped to hold up to 250 pounds.

Key Features

This steel drum is made in the U.S., so you can be sure it’s authentic and will last for years to come. It comes with a free beginner’s guide/song book that includes five original songs as well as instructions on how to care for your instrument. The kit also includes a height adjustable tube floor stand where you can play mallets without having to worry about them falling out of the bag or getting caught up in an accident.

Best Steel Drums Buying Guide

If you’re a drummer, you know how important it is to have the right equipment. You might be the guy who jams every night at the club, but if you only have one or two drum sticks, it‘s a lot harder to play your heart out. A good set of steel drums can help you make the most of those few sticks. The best steel drum sets are built to handle the heaviest music, so your chops and timing will be on point. They also have a variety of padding and sound-producing features that will make your playing sound as good as it feels. Steel drums come in a range of sizes and thicknesses, and it can be tough to decide on the one that's right for you. Luckily, we're here to help. Our shopping guide details the considerations and features you need to know before buying a steel set. We ve included some of our favorites, too.

What are tips for finding the right steel drum?

Once you’ve identified the right drum for your needs, you should consider some of the additional factors we discuss below. We‘ve provided some tips to help you identify the most efficient way to make your purchase. All steel drums are a bit different, so don't assume you can buy the same drums for any of your instruments. Remember, some drums have longer necks than others. This may result in a longer drumhead for a snare or a shorter one for the bass drum. Different players prefer different options. Before buying any drums, it's a good idea to put together a list of all the instruments you plan to use the drums on and how often. The more drums you buy, the easier it will be to find the best one. You're more likely to get a better drum if you spend more money on it. If you purchase a full-size drum, make sure you get the longest drum head you possibly can. Having a drum that's too long could result not only in it sounding odd but also in the player losing hold of his/her position in key situations. A more versatile option is a two- or three-piece drum set with an upper and lower drum (or bass and snaffle drums) that can be swapped out for different sounds as needed.

What are options to consider when looking at steel drums?

Most brands off two different drum sizes in their lineup: 16 and 20 inches. Both sizes offer a similar sound, with the 20-inch drum tending to have a more open sound and producing a punchier, richer sound. However, the bigger drum makes it more challenging to play. We also like the 10- and 12-pound kickplates from other brands. While they aren’t the most expensive drumheads out there, they're definitely the best ones we've seen. With a 14-gauge steel, these kick plates won't chip or warp. They also give you the option of either a black or white finish. The 24-ounce steel drum also features a solid 14 gauge steel. It has a classic black finish and comes with a choice of four different finishes.

How expensive are steel drums?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $1,000 for a steel drum set, depending on the type and quality.

Mid-range

For $50 to about $150, you can find a set of three to six steel drums. These are usually made of high quality steel.

Expensive

If you’re interested in a customized steel set with some rare or unusual metal, expect the price to approach $200. Steel drums in this price range are either handcrafted or made from a single piece of solid steel.

How do we chose our selection of steel drums?

The selection of steel drum heads is not an easy one to make. We try to cover off all the important features in our reviews and also look at a lot of other factors to ensure you don’t get your hopes up too much.

Brand

The brand is a big deciding factor when it comes to the quality of a product. You will be more inclined to buy from a brand that is known for their expertise and for producing good sounding drums.

Price

Price is also an important factor, particularly when you are buying a kit which is going to last you for years. Some of the higher priced models are made from better quality materials but might not have as high of quality sound.

Reviews

Reviews are the best way of knowing how a drum is likely to sound when played. They are a great place to find out about the sound of multiple drumheads so you can make a really informed decision about which one is right for you.

What are features to look for in steel drums?

Before deciding which of these fantastic steel drums are going be the right ones for your next set of drums, check out these key features to think about.

Size

Although it might be tempting to go for a smaller size drum, you might find it's not as practical for playing live. The drums don't have to be huge to give you a good sound, but they should be made to fit together so that you have the option to play them in different ways.

Material

This is another crucial factor to consider, especially if you plan to use the drums for gigs. Choose a material that will give a durable and reliable sound that doesn't degrade after a few uses.

Maintenance

Another essential factor is maintenance. If you use your drum set regularly, then it needs regular cleaning to keep it in the optimum condition. Look for drum shells that are powder coated in an anti-scratch finish.

Shock Absorbers

You don't want to get too carried away and purchase a huge drum and then find that it doesn‘t work as well as you thought. It might sound silly, and you probably wouldn't want your friends to notice, so it's important to look for shock absorbers on your new drumhead.

About Steel Drum

A steel drum is made from a steel mesh, which is plated with nickel, brass or copper. This mesh is reinforced with a layer of plastic to prevent jamming. A drumhead is generally made of 1/2-inch steel or heavier. The mouth of a drum should be threaded for a comfortable fit. It is advisable to use a band saw to make the drum rounder. Be aware that a round steel bar tends to break easier than a square one.

Steel Drum FAQ

Q: How do steel drums work?

A: Steel drums are a type of musical instrument. They are manufactured from a material called drum shells. Drum shells are hollow and filled with an insulating substance. When you hit the drum with a mallet or malleable implement, the shell vibrates and the instrument emits a sound according to the force it receives.

Q: What are the different types of steel drum sounds?

A: There are three main types: Bass Drum: The main sound produced by the steel drummer is a low-pitched, repetitive sound. The sound is often produced when the drummer hits the clap with the hand drum. It can also be produced with plucks, snare rolls, and blows. Double Bass: Two or three bass drums join together to make a triplet sound, which is produced using a bass kick and a hi-hat. Timbre: There is an overall pattern to all steel percussion instruments. Each instrument produces a distinctive sound that is not dependent on any other particular component. Steel percussion is used in many styles of music. If you would like to learn more about steel instruments, keep reading.

Derek Sautter
By Derek Sautter
Derek is a professional musician who specializes in percussion and works with the independent WGI group Cap City Percussion. With a Bachelors of Music from Capital University, specializing in Music Industry studies, he consistently finds himself playing and teaching percussion to anyone who has the will to learn. Derek is also a former member of DCI groups Legends (2014-15) and Colts (2016-18); he is also the percussion technician and instructor of the drum line at Olentangy High School. You may find him playing a gig throughout the greater Columbus, Ohio area.
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