Best Talking Drums of 2025
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Talking Drums are unique and traditional musical instruments that originated from West Africa. These drums are made of wood and animal hides, and they are designed to mimic the tonal and rhythmic patterns of human speech. Talking Drums are played by squeezing or releasing the drum's strings which adjust the tension on the drumhead, creating a range of sounds that imitate the nuances of spoken language. They have been used for centuries in African tribal rituals, and they continue to be popular in modern music genres such as jazz, world, and fusion. Talking Drums are a fascinating and versatile instrument that can add a truly distinctive flavour to any musical composition.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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9.9
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9.8
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9.6
Top 8 Talking Drums
Meinl Percussion Medium-Large Talking Drum
The Meinl Talking Drum is a traditional West African instrument that offers a unique playing experience. With 23 tuning strings, you can create a wide range of sounds by adjusting the tension and striking the hand-selected goat skin head. This feature allows you to explore different musical expressions, making it an exciting addition to your musical repertoire. The included curved wooden mallet enhances your playing, providing the perfect tool to produce authentic rhythms. With this drum, you can immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of West African music.
Meinl Percussion Large Talking Drum with Beater
The Meinl Talking Drum is a stunning West African instrument designed for expressive sound production. With 28 tuning strings, you can easily create a wide range of tones by compressing the ropes and striking the hand-selected goat skin head. This feature allows you to customise your sound, making every performance unique. The drum also includes a curved wooden mallet, ensuring you have the right tools for traditional playing. This instrument is perfect for musicians who want an authentic and versatile addition to their collection.
Original African Talking Drum from Nigeria with Wooden Beater - Ilu Gan Gan
Remo Rhythm PAL Drum 13" Eimer mit Skyndeep Fell RP-0613-70-SD-099 Fellwechsel möglich
Authentic Nigerian Traditional Talking Drum GanGan/Adamo (22x22x31cm 1.6kg) with Wooden Beater and Carrier Bag Included
Meinl Talking Drum Beater - Rattan
Remo Talking Drum Tamani 11" Skyndeep Ultratac Lizard Grafikfell TD-0611-81 mit Schultergurt
Remo TD-0816-18 Talking Drum Kanago Francis Awe Signature 20,3 cm (8 Zoll) x 40,6 cm (16 Zoll)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the talking drum used for?
One of the oldest instruments in West Africa, the talking drum is found in many different geographic areas and cultures. It is used for creating speech, dance, or signal patterns; oftentimes, the drums were used to communicate information over long distances.
2. Why is it called talking drum?
They are referred to as talking drums because they are able to be tuned to mimic the sound of human speech in terms of tone and accent such as emotion.
3. What is the gangan in Yoruba?
Gangan (The Talking Drum) It is a Yoruba socio-cultural way of life to celebrate life as against celebration of death as witnessed in some societies.
4. Why are talking drums important in West Africa?
Unlike other drums, talking drums are constructed and played in such a way that they mimic the tonal qualities of speech. This special quality made talking drums incredibly important as a means of communication for West African cultures throughout history.
During our talking drum research, we found 9 talking drum products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,922 customer reviews through our big data system to write the talking drums list. We found that most customers choose talking drums with an average price of £54.68.
The talking drums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of talking drums, including Meinl Percussion, Ilugangan.com, REMO, ML Percussions.
Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.