33 Traditional Native American Songs for Tongue Drum and Handpan: Play by Number

Music is an integral part in the life of the Native Americans, playing a key role in ceremonies, recreational activities, self-expression, and healing. Many different instruments are used in Native American music, including drums, flutes, and other percussion instruments.

These songs were adapted here for Tongue Drum and Handpan and they are possible to play on most drum models.



The steel tongue drum (aka tong drum, tank drum, gluck-o-phone, hapi, or steeldrum) and the handpan (aka hank drum, UFO drum, zen drum, meditation, healing, yoga or chakra drum) are percussion musical instruments designed to help you focus on your feelings, sensations, and body.

In musical science, a unique Native American style of singing can be distinguished. It is characterized by rhythmic breathing, a tense voice, and syllabic sounds being more important than lyrics. These technical features helped the shaman achieve a trance state. Although the tongue drum is a modern musical instrument, is perfectly suitable for any tribal song.

Attention: Songs have been transposed for a DIATONIC range. Some melodies might be changed and simplified. If your drum has flat keys, it is recommended that you use the classic sheet music for the piano.

We write the note numbers above the notes because our sheet music is aimed at absolute beginners. Just follow numbers and enjoy.

Here you can find traditional songs, handed down from generation to generation: ceremonial (such as corn grinding or moccasin game songs) or healing songs.

Also, we add a QR code to most songs. Follow the link and find this song on YouTube, so that you can listen to the rhythm before beginning to play.

Which tongue drum are these songs suitable for?

Each tongue drum is very different and it is impossible to accommodate songs for all kinds of tongue drums in one book.

This book is suitable for most models of handpan, but if you have a tongue drum, it should have a minimum of 10 keys, because many songs in this book involve more than one-octave notes.

Here, we have collected only simplified diatonic melodies.

Contents

Ani Couni. Arapaho Song. (Version 1)

Ani Couni. Arapaho Song. (Version 2)

Ani Couni. Arapaho Song. (Version 3)

Medicine Song. Apache Song

Bebi Notsa. Creek folk song

Buffalo Dance. Kiowa folk song

Chippewa Lullaby. Chippewa folk song

Corn Grinding Song. Zuni folk song

Dust of the Red Wagon. Ute folk song

Eagle Dance Song. Algonquin folk song

Epanay. Sioux folk song

Eskimo Ice Cream. Inuit folk song

Hiya Hiya. Pawnee folk song

Happy Song. Navajo folk song

Ho Ho Watanay. Iroquois Lullaby. (2 versions)

Hosisipa. Sioux folk song

Hwi Ne Ya He. Presumably an Apache song

Happiness Song. Navajo folk song

Inuit Lullaby. Inuit folk song

Moccasin Game Song. Navajo folk song

Nessa, Nessa. Ojibwe Lullaby

Mos Mos. Hopi folk song

My Paddle. Folk song

O Hal'lwe. Nanticoke folk song

Okki Tokki Unga. Eskimo fishing song

Pleasure Dance. Choctaw folk song

Sioux Lullaby. Sioux folk song

Song of the Deer Dancing. Chippewa folk song

Song to the Sun. Zuni folk song

Uhe' Ba Sho. Omaha folk song

Wanagi Wacipi Olowan. Dakota folk song

Wioste Olowan. Dakota folk song

We N' De Ya Ho Cherokee Morning song

Ya Ya We. Wichita song

Zuni Sunset Song. Zuni folk song