Detail 01
Talking drum design
Squeezing the cords under your arm tightens the heads mid-strike, so pitch slides up and down as you play.
Product detailSKU #1274115063542
MEINLAfrican Talking Drum Medium
1/8
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A medium-size African talking drum from MEINL. Hourglass hand drum with tension cords for pitch bending, aimed at players adding texture rather than kit work.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Percussionists adding vocal, pitch-bending texture to a track
- Drum circles and world percussion ensembles
- Educators demonstrating pressure-tuned drums
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players wanting a fixed, stable pitch
- Anyone needing a hand drum for steady rhythm keeping
- Beginners unwilling to learn the arm-squeeze technique
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Hourglass shell with two heads
Both ends are headed and linked by cords. The waisted shape is what lets arm pressure change tension.
Detail 03
Medium size
Sits between the small high-pitched and large low-pitched versions. Broader usable pitch range than a small one.
Detail 04
Tension cord tuning
No lugs or keys. Base pitch is set by cord tension, which shifts with humidity and playing.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Played with a curved stick; check whether one is included
- 02Cord tension needs periodic retightening as it settles
- 03Pitch bending takes practice; it is not immediate out of the box
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01How do you play a talking drum?
Hold it under one arm, strike with a curved stick, and squeeze the cords with your arm to raise the pitch mid-note.
02Can it be tuned to a specific note?
Only roughly. Base pitch comes from cord tension, and every strike can bend from there. It is not a fixed-pitch instrument.
03Is it good for a complete beginner?
You can make sound immediately, but the pitch-bend technique needs practice to control.
04What size is medium?
It falls between MEINL's small and large talking drums, giving a mid-range fundamental and a wider bend range than the small model.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Multi-Colored
4 detailsOther
- Category Source
- detail
- Tier
- new
- Korena Special
- false
- Source Id
- site51274115063542
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