Kosmosky tank drum scales
We have collected in one place all the available tank drum tunings that we have come up with over the past 6 years. Each of them is the result of numerous experiments with sound. Here you can find the tunings for our conventional models, as well as the tunings for the so-called “Dvutones”, a new generation of tank drums with a richer and clearer sound that will definitely appeal to real connoisseurs of those marvelous instruments.
If you fail to find the tuning you want to order in the drop-down menu, select any other tuning for the desired tank drum model and specify the name of the tuning you would like to have in the comments to the order when placing it.
Before you start listening and reading, we want to give you some more info about the types of scales:
1. Pentatonic scales - the easiest to play because they have only 5 notes repeated in an octave. Great for beginners. The limited number of notes gives fewer opportunities to play melodies. Pentatonics are easier for percussion way of playing (when you percept your Kosmosky like a drum, not like a melodic instrument).
2. Hexatonic scales - 6 notes of the range, they are a little more difficult to play than pentatonic, but it is still easy and intuitive. Gives more opportunities for playing popular melodies than pentatonic scales. These scales are also easy for the percussion playing style.
3. Natural scales - natural scales are the most versatile considering playing music. They are not so intuitive like pentatonic and hexatonic, but they are also easy to play and suit for playing a lot of popular melodies if you can figure out melodies by ear. Since these scales are less intuitive due to the increased number of notes, the percussion playing style becomes a little more problematic here.You should understand that all natural scales include pentatonic and hexatonic, and you only need to use 5 or 6 notes of the range to find the pentatonic or hexatonic on your natural scale. This way, you can make the playing process less or more intuitive.
4. Ethnic scales - these tunings are based on traditional scales of different countries and cultures. Akebono - Japan, Pygmy - Africa, Shiraz - Middle-East, Mixolydian - Ancient Greece. We recommend choosing these scales if you like ethnic shades of sounding.
5. Uncategorized scales - the tunings we could not assign to any group. They are intuitive and easy for percussion playing. Good for beginners/
DVUTONES
Dvutones constitute a new stage in the development of steel tongue drums. Due to the large number of overtones, they cannot be tuned with a standardized electronic tuner used for tuning conventional drum models, so the Dvutones must be tuned with the use of specialized software. Owing to their tongues and body design, the sound of Dvutones is purer and richer in overtones compared to conventional models.
1. Dvutone 30cm E-minor, 9 tongues (pentatonic)
2. Dvutone 30cm B-minor, 10 tongues (hexatonic)
3. Tritone 30cm A-minor, 10 tongues
4. Dvutone 30cm G-major, 9 tongues (natural scale)
5. Dvutone 35cm A-minor, 10 tongues
6. Dvutone 30cm E-m11a, 11 tongues
7. Dvutone 30cm D-major, 9 tongues (pentatonic)
8. Dvutone 30cm G-major 11e, 11 tongues (natural scale)
9. Dvutone 35cm B-minor 11a, 11 tongues
10. Hive Dvutone / Woody drum, 30cm A-minor, 10 tongues
11. 35cm Rhythm tank drum, 10 tongues
22 cm tank drums
Light, ringing, and literally travel-size tank drums that can be taken anywhere (they easily fit in your hand luggage).
1. Insomnia (B-minor pentatonic);
2. Pygmy (C-minor pentatonic);
3. F# major;
4. Natural C-major;
5. C-major pentatonic;
6. Astral (B-minor pentatonic);
7. Grace (B-minor pentatonic);
8. Mystic (F-minor);
9. D-major pentatonic;
10. D-minor pentatonic;
11. E-major;
12. E-minor.
2-sided 30 cm tank drums
30cm tank drums sound binaural, have a convenient size meaning that they are not too heavy to be taken outdoors. Double-side models are more versatile in terms of music making and have a peculiar effect of circulating sound produced due to several tongues tuned in unison on both sides. One-side models sound a little deeper due to the all-metal lower part.
1. Bright East (Shiraz E + Astral B-minor hexatonic);
2. Elbrus (A#-major hexatonic + C-minor hexatonic);
3. Forest (B major pentatonic + D# minor natural);
4. Orphean (Insomnia B-minor hexatonic + Mixolydian E);
5. Muse (B-minor hexatonic + Mystic E-minor hexatonic);
6. Keystone (D-minor hexatonic + C-major hexatonic);
7. Contrast (B-minor + Mixolydian E);
8. Sunrise (C-major hexatonic + D-minor pentatonic);
9. Field (E-minor pentatonic + D-major natural);
10. Classic (C-major pentatonic + high-pitched natural A-minor).
1-sided 30 cm tank drums
2-sided 35cm tank drums
Tank drums of 35cm have an even deeper sound owing to their body volume. The sound range is slightly lower compared to the models of 30cm. We recommend choosing double-side tunings for such large tank drums, since we believe that the drums’ weight (which is about 6kg) and size should be justified due to the instrument’s extended features.
1. Exit (B-minor + E-minor);
2. North (Mystic C-minor + A#-major pentatonic);
3. Unicorn (Akebono F#-minor + A major pentatonic);
4. Surf (G minor + D minor);
5. Night (A# minor + F minor);
6. Ocean (D-minor + C-major).