Making Up Your Own Melodies: Easy Progressions for the Tongue Drum
One of the most satisfying ways to enjoy your tongue drum is to create your own music — no rules, no sheet music, just playing from your heart.
But if you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, here are a few easy progressions and patterns to help you get started. Whether you’re playing on a major or minor drum, these ideas will give you some simple shapes to build beautiful sounds from.
🎵 If You Have a Major Scale Drum:
Try this simple 3-note progression:
1 – 3 – 5
This is your basic major chord. Play it slowly, then try mixing up the order:
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5 – 3 – 1
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1 – 5 – 3
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1 – 3 – 5 – 8 (for an octave leap)
Then add movement:
1 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 5 – 3 – 1
It’s gentle, uplifting, and sounds like a soft sunrise.
Or play a sequence like:
1 – 4 – 5 – 1
This is the classic I–IV–V–I progression used in tons of popular music — instantly musical.
🎵 If You Have a Minor Scale Drum:
Start with this grounding minor pattern:
1 – 3 – 5 (Minor chord)
Then try:
1 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 3 – 1
This gives it a slightly mysterious or reflective feel.
Try this moody loop:
6 – 5 – 3 – 1 – 3 – 5 – 6
Great for creating meditative, cinematic moods.
Or try a slow wander:
1 – 4 – 6 – 5 – 3 – 1
Let each note linger. This one has emotional depth.
💡 Tips for Melody Creation:
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Start with 3–5 notes and explore all the ways you can play them.
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Try repeating one note while changing others — repetition gives structure.
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Don’t rush! Let your ear tell you what feels beautiful.
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Use the low notes as grounding, and the high notes to lift the energy.
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Don’t worry about making “mistakes” — there are none!
Try This!
Pick your favorite sequence from above and improvise over it for 5 minutes. Record yourself and listen back — you might surprise yourself with how musical you already sound!
Looking for Inspiration?
Try playing along to our free sheet music, as well as our ever expanding library of music available for purchase.
Let your fingers explore, let your ear guide you, and most of all — have fun. Your drum is ready when you are. 💛
🌟 More Progressions to Try
1. The “Hopeful Lift” (Major)
1 – 6 – 4 – 5
Used in countless pop songs, this one feels hopeful and familiar. Try playing it slow and smooth — then again with a little rhythm.
2. The “Wistful Wander” (Minor)
1 – 7 – 6 – 4
This one feels like looking out a train window on a rainy day. Emotional, mysterious, and easy to memorize.
3. The “Meditation Circle” (Major or Minor)
1 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 3 – 2 – 1
This gentle rise and fall pattern is perfect for breathwork, yoga, or calming the nervous system.
4. The “Mirror Climb” (Any Scale)
3 – 5 – 6 – 5 – 3 – 1 – 3 – 5 – 8
It starts small, repeats in the middle, and ends with an expansive jump — ideal for ending a free play session on a strong, open note.
These patterns are meant to guide, not confine. Once you get used to them, you can mix and match, add rests, change the rhythm — and soon you’ll be composing without even realizing it.
The more you explore, the more your drum becomes a mirror for your mood, your breath, and your joy. 🌿
