Playing the coconut shell drum with a beater

The coconut drum is a versatile musical instrument that has a wooden top and coconut shell. It has a notch missing from the instrument which can be used to adjust the playing style. Our coconut drums are handcrafted in Indonesia and come with a beater however there are different types of these instruments with some made with animal hide.

How to hold the coconut drum

The coconut drum should be held with the finger tips for grip but the hand should be positioned in a way that allows you to use your palm to cover the notched hole ocassionally to adjust the tone.

How to play with a beater

To play the coconut drum you will want to strike the top wooden surface of the coconut drum with the provided beater. This is how you will produce the sound but you can try palm muting to produce a vareity of different sounds and tones. Palm muting fast by covering the hole and uncovering the hole whilst playing will allow you to produce a tremolo sound effect.

The goal when playing is to adjust how much you cover the hole with your palm to find tones that you like. You can then alternate ebtween different tones to be able to produce your beat. This will take some time to devleop the skill and rhythm required to be able to make some great sounding music. You can alternate between the centre and edges of the drums top to create a tonal variation. The centre gives a resounding, bass-like thud, while the edges provide higher-pitched sounds.

Where to buy the coocnut drum?

wooden coconut drum with felt and wood beater

This Coconut Drum isn’t just eye-catching—it’s made from a real coconut shell and topped with softwood for a sound that’s as natural as its look. Handcrafted and eco-friendly, it produces earthy tones that can be adjusted. Whether you're a curious beginner or just love unique instruments, this compact drum (with beater included) is simple to play but surprisingly dynamic.

Click here to find out more. 

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