There’s not too many times in life, that an inanimate object can bring tears to my eyes, and warm my soul. But today I received delivery of one such object … A beautiful handmade black metal UFO pentatonic drum.
The very nice, but completely unaware postie dropped a box at my front door at around 3pm, without a care as to what might be included. After locating a hammer and chisel to pry my new self-love gift from its well-secured wooden box, revealed was this oddly UFO shaped metal thing – exactly what I was expecting, but somehow infinitely more precious.
Steel tongue drums, or their variant names, haven’t been around all that long (compared to the history of time), but the concept of banging on something to make a melodic sound has been. I’m totally awed by the concept that I, the human with little to no musical skill (we can unpack that issue later!), can make inspiring sounds within seconds of having this amazing drum in my hands. It’s a truly beautiful and gifted thing, to be able to sit and resonate with the vibration of sound coming from a modified propane tank!
The tears may be from being in isolation (I doubt it – I was a happy hermit before covid), or from my randomly emotive MS state, either way, the vibration of sound seems to stir up the connective tissues of my body, and feels healing to the touch. All the 8 notes on each of the ‘tongues’ are tuned together, that no matter which non-talented way you bang on them, the results are soul satisfying.
And the biggest benefit to this little UFO? … The value to a 5yo who senses the world very differently – she can bang on this thing till her heart is content (you can’t break it – it’s a steel drum!), and the vibrations reach all the way to her little toes. I think our UFO is going to be well loved for a long time to come!
On a practical note, steel drums can be found under a number of different names, and I purchased mine from the inspiring and gifted Alli, and all her musical offerings can be found at Oh My Musical Goodness online. 
Doing Life Differently 