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Tongue Drums and Piano By Number
There are countless products and configurations of the Tongue Drum. I have seen versions with sharps and flats, and numbered all the way to 24.
There are, however, certain aspects that all Tongue Drums have in common, that is, perhaps, behind the recent association of Tongue Drums and Piano By Number by searchers.
Since Tongue Drums are all numbered in one fashion or another, it is only natural that people seek to combine the two, Tongue Drums and Piano By Number..
Piano Is Easy
NUMBERING ON TONGUE DRUMS
You can use our books with any Tongue Drum, but you must be aware that many songs may exceed the number of tones on your drum.
This is easily solved if you substitute a different, available number (on your drum) for the number your drum seems to be missing. This often produces a pleasing anomaly in the pitches of the song. For example, in the drum we have illustrated above, there are two different versions of 1, so you could try substituting the alternate 1 for 8, since musically 1 and 8 are identical.
Please be aware that our beginning books require 12 tones, although many songs are done with five or six. (Use the piano above.)
SCALE ON TONGUE DRUMS
The scale on Tongue Drums usually varies from what we would expect in Western Music. That is, the difference in pitch between 1 and 2 may not be a "major second" as prescribed in classical music theory, but that difference is a part of what gives the Tongue Drum its unique charm: the melody is recognizable, but is mysteriously altered by the differing scale of the drum's notes.
Try A Song With Numbers
Camptown Races
| 5 5 3 5 | 6 5 3 * | 3 2 * * | 3 2 * * |
Adapting OUR MORE ADVANCED BOOKS
Not all Piano By Number books use only 1 - 12. The more advanced ones use flats and sharps which are the black keys of the piano (try that on the piano above.)
We suggest two books that work well for adults on Tongue Drums: POP SONGS and THE BIG BOOK OF SONGS
Once again, simply substitute an available note on your drum for the one indicated in the music (for example, if a song calls for #1, the black key in between 1 and 2) simply substitute 2 (for example, for #1.)
Advantages of the Tongue Drum
It is extremely easy and pleasing to play, and our number system suits it well. As a beginner's instrument it is almost ideal, as almost anyone can make convincing music using one.
Try the songs on our online piano using our ONLINE PIANO PAGE and see if it suits you. Alternatively, search our SONG LISTS and find a song you want to play, then purchase a drum with enough notes to play that song.
REFERENCES
Introductory
Playing Piano By Number
Playing Piano By Number – Complete
Starting To Play Piano By Number
Beginning Piano Music With Numbers
Beginner Piano Tutorial
Beginner Piano Books for Kids
Introduction To Piano By Number
Music On The Mind: Newsweek Articles
Piano By Number Basics
Piano By Number Is The Missing Step
There Are Many Ways To Start Piano
A History of Piano and Numbers
Basic Piano Skills for Kids
Easy Piano Songs for Beginners with Letters
Easy Piano Notes for Popular Songs
