Hand Drums

A hand drum is a compact percussion instrument played with the hands or a soft beater rather than sticks. On this page you’ll find classroom hand drums and frame drums, Irish bodhrans, shaman-style drums, tambourines, tamborims and other hand-played percussion chosen for schools, SEND settings, drum circles and community music leaders.

Hand drums and other hand-played percussion are some of the most accessible ways to start group music-making. Whether you’re leading Early Years activities, Primary music lessons, Secondary projects or Adult and SEND groups, these compact frame drums and handheld instruments are easy to hold, simple to play and full of characterful sounds.

This collection brings together a wide mix of small hand drums: painted shaman drums with goatskin heads, Irish bodhrans, classroom frame drums, tambourines, monkey drums, coconut shells, tamborims, twirlers and other sound-effect instruments. Many include soft beaters, carry bags or multi-buy savings, so you can build up a complete set for your music room or drum circle.

Because everything here is acoustic, tactile and robust, it works just as well for sensory work and therapeutic sessions as for ensemble performance. Pupils can explore steady pulses, call-and-response patterns, world-music grooves or quiet soundscapes without needing any prior experience.

At a glance: classroom hand drums & frame drums

• Suitable for Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Adult and SEND learners.
• Includes frame drums, Irish bodhrans, shaman drums, tambourines, tamborims, monkey drums, coconut drums and more.
• Options from small children’s instruments to large, deep-voiced ceremonial drums.
• Natural goatskin and synthetic heads, many supplied with soft beaters, carry bags and DVDs.
• Ideal for drum circles, classroom rhythm work, musical gift ideas and world percussion projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are hand drums called?
In school and community music, this usually means smaller drums played with the hands or a soft mallet. Common types include frame drums, Irish bodhrans, shaman drums, tambourines, tamborims, coconut drums and other compact world-percussion instruments.

Are hand drums hard to play?
They’re one of the easiest percussion families to start with. Most players can get a clear sound straight away using fingers, palms or a soft beater. Simple patterns for pulse, call-and-response and drum-circle work are quick to learn, yet there’s plenty of scope for more advanced techniques and world-music rhythms as confidence grows.