Reddit mentions: The best hand drums
We found 18 Reddit comments discussing the best hand drums. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 15 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Meinl Percussion 14" Frame Drum, Extra Deep Shell Irish Bodhran-NOT MADE IN CHINA-Goat Skin Head, Brown Burl, 2-YEAR WARRANTY, FD14IBO
- Extra deep hardwood shell: this Bodh ran measures 14" X 6" And is made with an extra deep hardwood shell in order to produce a rich, full sound; sounds great when played with or without a tipper
- Dampening ring: this Irish Bodh ran comes equipped with a dampening ring around the rim, creating a more rounded out tone and minimizing overtones
- Cross bar removed: This particular model has removed The traditional cross bar to allow room for your hands to apply direct pressure to the head and perform contemporary pitch-bending techniques
- Goat skin head: The high quality goat skin head on this produces a warm and bold sound with a short attack, providing a desirable sound for traditional Celtic folk music (tunable with provided Allen wrench)
- Add cultural sounds: the unique timbre of the body ran drum is designed for traditional Celtic styles but it may be used in contemporary music to add unexpected flavors
Features:
Specs:
Color | FD14IBO |
Height | 6 Inches |
Length | 14 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 2.7778245012 Pounds |
Width | 14 Inches |
2. Meinl Percussion Darbuka with Plain Aluminum Shell - MADE IN TURKEY - 6 1/2" Tunable Synthetic Head, 2-YEAR WARRANTY (HE-102)
- Rich lows and articulate highs — Meinl aluminum darbukas produce rich mid-range lows and cracking highs for a superb tonal range that's great with traditional Middle-Eastern music, contemporary pop, drum circles, classroom music or just to play to fun
- 12 3/4" cast aluminum shell, plain finish — made from a cast mold, the aluminum shell delivers with an authentic tone, and it is exceptionally durable — features a smooth aluminum finish for a classic look
- Made in Turkey — central to the origin and heaviest use of the darbuka (Mid-East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and South Asia), Meinl darbukas are made by skilled experts in Turkey with local knowledge, superb craftsmanship and consistent quality
- All-weather synthetic head — this drum is outfitted with a tunable, ultra-durable 6 1/2" synthetic head that resists elements of changing weather while responding with sharp, ringing highs and low tones that resonate freely — tuning key included (4 lugs)
- Comfortable flush rim — sitting at an even level with the drum head, Meinl darbukas feature a flush, rounded rim that allows for easy execution of teks, finger rolls and doum strokes with total control and comfort
Features:
Specs:
Height | 16.9 Inches |
Length | 24.8 Inches |
Number of items | 6 |
Release date | July 2008 |
Size | 6 1/2x12 3/4 inch |
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Width | 14.8 Inches |
3. Toca TP-FHM14 14-Inch Goat Skin Head for Mechanically Tuned Djembe
- Product Type:Percussion Instruments
- Item Package Dimension:37.338 cm L X 36.322 cm W X 1.777 cm H
- Item Package Weight:3.15 lbs
- Country Of Origin: China
Features:
Specs:
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 15 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | -inch |
Weight | 1.25 Pounds |
Width | 15 Inches |
4. Latin Percussion LP960 14-Inch Galaxy Djembe Head
- 14" Galaxy Djembe Head
- Easy to Put On
- Lug Wrench is Needed
- Hand-Selected Goatskin
Features:
Specs:
Color | Natural |
Height | 1.5 Inches |
Length | 16.75 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | -inch |
Width | 17.25 Inches |
5. X8 Kalimantan Djembe Drum with Bag and Djembe 101 DVD
The X8 Drums Kalimantan Djembe is a great choice for kids or as a travel drum for adults.Each drum comes with a DVD that teaches you how to play your first djembe rhythm and how to tune your drum. A drum maintenance guide is also included that instructs on how to care for your drum and remove the lo...
Specs:
Color | Brown |
Height | 16 Inches |
Length | 9 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | -inch |
Width | 9 Inches |
6. Rhythm Tech Bodhran, Black (RT7350)
Pre-select drum tuning tension levelNumeric pre setsSuper fastAccurately tunes every timeAlerts drummer when lug is tight
Specs:
Color | BLACK |
Height | 0.6 Inches |
Length | 6 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | March 2010 |
Weight | 0.15 Pounds |
Width | 5.5 Inches |
7. Meinl Percussion HE-101 Plain Aluminum Darbuka With Synthetic Head, 5 7/8-Inch
- Rich lows and articulate highs — Meinl aluminum darbukas produce rich mid-range lows and cracking highs for a superb tonal range that's great with traditional Middle-Eastern music, contemporary pop, drum circles, classroom music or just to play to fun
- 11" cast aluminum shell, plain finish — made from a cast mold, the aluminum shell delivers with an authentic tone, and it is exceptionally durable — features a smooth aluminum finish for a classic look
- Made in Turkey — central to the origin and heaviest use of the darbuka (Mid-East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and South Asia), Meinl darbukas are made by skilled experts in Turkey with local knowledge, superb craftsmanship and consistent quality
- All-weather synthetic head — this drum is outfitted with a tunable, ultra-durable 5 7/8" synthetic head that resists elements of changing weather while responding with sharp, ringing highs and low tones that resonate freely — tuning key included (4 lugs)
- Comfortable flush rim — sitting at an even level with the drum head, Meinl darbukas feature a flush, rounded rim that allows for easy execution of teks, finger rolls and doum strokes with total control and comfort
Features:
Specs:
Color | Wood/ Brown |
Height | 12 Inches |
Length | 6.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2009 |
Size | 7/8-inch |
Weight | 0.9479877266 Pounds |
Width | 6.5 Inches |
8. Remo HD-8510-00 Fiberskyn Frame Drum, 10"
All frame drums are equipped with a Remo drumhead and are manufactured with Remo's patented Acousticon shell
Specs:
Height | 10 Inches |
Length | 10 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | November 2008 |
Size | 10" |
Weight | 1 Pounds |
Width | 10 Inches |
9. Remo Djembe (DJ101070)
The Advent Djembe is light weight, portable and weather-resistant with are a high quality sound. The advent Djembe is key-tuned with a suede head.
Specs:
Height | 20.472440924 Inches |
Length | 10.629921249 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2021 |
Weight | 6.2 Pounds |
Width | 10.629921249 Inches |
10. Remo HD-8512-00 Fiberskyn Frame Drum, 12"
- Light weight, durable, weather-resistant and easy to play
- It can also be held with one hand and played with a soft mallet or straddled between the knees like a bongo drum
- Highest expectations for sound quality and durability
- 12 Diameter, 2.5 Depth
- NOTE: There is no beater that comes with this drum
Features:
Specs:
Color | #N/A |
Height | 14.5 Inches |
Length | 18.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | November 2008 |
Size | 12" |
Weight | 1.5 Pounds |
Width | 10.25 Inches |
11. X8 Drums Red and Black Backpacker Djembe Drum
Legally harvested, environmentally sustainable mahogany wood.One-piece mahogany solid shell construction.Low Stretch Alpine Nylon HTB 5 mm rope.Lateral groove/rough surfaced carvings on interior bowl to reduce overtones.Shells are kiln dried with up to 20 coats of teak oil to protect and preserve th...
Specs:
Color | Red, Black |
Height | 16 Inches |
Length | 9 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | -inch |
Weight | 6 Pounds |
Width | 9 Inches |
12. Pacific Drums by DW Mini Timbale, Chrome Plated Steel, 4X10
- Package Dimensions: 30.988 cms (L) x 30.734 cms (W) x 12.7 cms (H)
- Product Type: Percussion Instruments
- Package Quantity: 1
- Country Of Origin: China
Features:
Specs:
Height | 5 Inches |
Length | 12 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2009 |
Weight | 5 Pounds |
Width | 12 Inches |
13. Remo Djembe (DJ0016PM)
- With features like portability, tunability, durability, and playability it's no wonder why it is the choice for thousands and thousands of professional and recreational drummers for years.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Kinte Kloth |
Height | 10 Inches |
Length | 10 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | August 2014 |
Size | 27 x 16-Inch |
Weight | 10 Pounds |
Width | 10 Inches |
14. Remo E1-0322-00 Buffalo Drum - Standard, 22"
Remo E1-0322-00 Buffalo Drum - Standard, 22"BuffaloMallet
Specs:
Color | NA |
Height | 22 Inches |
Length | 22 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | August 2014 |
Size | 22" |
Weight | 0.01 Pounds |
Width | 3.5 Inches |
15. Remo RemO's Tone Control Rings - 10", 12", 13", 16"
- Constructed of Mylar, RemOs make it easy to control unwanted overtones on your toms and snare drums.
- Sizes - 10", 12", 13", and 16"
Features:
Specs:
Height | 16 Inches |
Length | 0.1 Inches |
Number of items | 3 |
Release date | May 2012 |
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
Width | 19.2 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on hand drums
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where hand drums are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
I'm actually going to go against the grain here and say that you should avoid one with a cross-brace even for a beginner (though absolutely go for a tunable with a synthetic head). No reason to develop bad habits or dependencies, and playing without a brace isn't really any harder to learn.
One of my past bandmates played one of these for quite a bit while he saved for his Alfonso, and loved it (he called it his 'black sheep'). It's got a much bass-ier sound than you'll find from most (not bad on the surface, but something to know), and was pretty fun to play. I don't play bodhran often, but I'm considering getting one of these for myself - it's a decent intermediate instrument with a beginner-level cost.
I've also heard folks say some nice things about the Meinl ones available on Amazon, though I haven't gotten to play one myself.
And, as mentioned elsewhere, Albert Alfonso and Metloef are widely considered to be excellent drums. If your SO is already a practiced bodhranista, one of these makers may be a good bet.
Outside of those recommendations, my thoughts:
I'd also suggest a cheap (like $30-60) aluminum darbuka. Amazon link. There are other sizes, but that's a sweet spot imho.
The darbuka/doumbek is a simple drum to play and awfully durable. The two basic sounds (the doum, and the tek) are a good low/high sound that makes working on simple rhythmic patterns easy and you'll start to develop the left/right skills at the same time. Add a foot tambourine and shaker and you can start working on 4 way coordination.
Sticks and a pad are a good start, but they can get boring. Adding a cheap hand drum is a good way to keep music from becoming a slog through a technique book.
Any decent music shop with a good percussion section should be able to help you.
Alternatively, online is of course an option. (US links below as they are the easiest but you can still search for the same product more local to you)
The djembe you listed has a 14" head (they come in different sizes). If you must get a goatskin head like the original then this is the type you are after,
or the same from Amazon
If you just need a suitable head there are other brands that might be a bit cheaper, such as this one
Ive wanted to do exactly what you posted for a while but not sure if there was other interest. It would be great to get him a large djembe drum. I would donate to this if you do set it up.
Get one of these. That's easily the best $20 I've ever spent on anything, ever.
I have this one. It's definitely smaller than all the ones I've seen being used in the instructional videos I've been watching, but so far, I like it. The reviews basically paint it as a sturdy kids'/beginners' drum, but since that's exactly what I wanted...
I honestly think its gonna be cheaper for you to get a $100 Chinese banjo off Ebay or craigslist. Its gonna sound better too. If you take the neck and tuners from a guitar the string spacing is gonna be off and its gonna be difficult to switch to an actual banjo after. If you plan to use a tambourine as the pot you still need a tailpiece, bridge, armrest. I don't think its feasible to build something that resembles a banjo for leas than the price of a very cheap Chinese banjo. The material costs are gonna be close and not to mention all the timel its gonna take and the end product won't be something worth the effort.
That being said. If you still wanna build one, look for a 10" frame drum or bodhran.
https://www.amazon.com/Remo-HD-8510-00-Fiberskyn-Frame-Drum/dp/B0002F7KGK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536944358&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=41LVEiM8ZAL&ref=plSrch
Ebay has cheap strings, tailpieces, and bridges. You're gonna need a nut that'll hold the strings at the proper height but that'll also ensure proper spacing. I think the hardest part is gonna be getting the neck done. You can either look for a cheap neck or try and modify the guitar neck to work. Modifying would require cutting down the width and length I believe.
Another concern would be the tension in the drum frame, the strings are going to be compressing the drum frame around the neck and tailpiece so you'll need to add a stiffening mechanism.
I believe the drums they are playing are called "frame drums." I don't know if these links below are what you are looking for exactly, but it should get you on the right path.
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This is what I used for the banjo head. You may want to go with a 12" if going with a full scale length. My banjo is only 23" scale length.
http://www.amazon.com/Remo-Fiberskyn-Frame-Drum-10/dp/B0002F7KGK
Here are the plans I followed. The main thing I did different was how I attached the neck.
http://www.bluestemstrings.com/pageWineboxBanjo1.html
maybe you already live inthat world, not collapsable but..
http://www.amazon.com/X8-Drums-Black-Backpacker-Djembe/dp/B005PX9SZ0
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000GGV2DM/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
PDP also has one that's even cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Drums-DW-Timbale-Chrome/dp/B000GGV2DM
Timbale
$330 new, seems a little steep for the Goodwill! They should sell it on eBay. REMO Djembe, MONDO, Key-Tuned, 16" x 27", SKYNDEEP FIBERSKYN, Contour Tuning Brackets, Kintekloth Finish https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IHEEK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_oM1VCbQ75WY13
just going to throw this cheap beauty out there http://www.amazon.com/REMO-Buffalo-Diameter-Depth-Standard/dp/B0002I1EW8
The old ways are best