Shaman Drum - 22in (55cm) diameter, round hair

This 22 inch Round Hair Shaman Drum (55cm) is a hand-made, goatskin-covered shaman drum, supplied with a double-sided suede and plush beater so you can create a wide range of tones. Despite its size, the drum is very light and easy to carry, with a deep, resonant shaman drum sound that’s robust enough for daily school and community use. It’s perfect for shaman drumming, drum circles and SEND settings, and makes a striking large percussion instrument for young children to explore together.

Alongside this round model, we also offer octagonal shaman drums in natural or painted versions. The painted shamanic drums feature cryptic black shadow-animal designs that become an instant visual focus on stage or in the classroom. Padded cotton bags are available separately – including a dedicated shamanic drum bag – to protect this and other large shamanic drums in storage and transport.

The round shaman drum range comes in seven sizes, of which this round-hair 22" size is the fifth size up. If you need a smaller companion or an even large shamanic drum to complete your set, explore our full shaman drum collection to build the combination that best suits your groups.

These drums can help with all aspects of EY development, including:

Sensory and/or physical needs

* Self-played:Helps with grip and holding.
Motion is generally towards the self, compared to away from or down with other drums, requiring different motor control skills.
How does it feel to your body when you tap the drum gently and then when you beat it harder?

* Practitioner-facilitated play:
Practitioner holds the drum, face outwards, into the back or solar plexus of the receiver. You can even take this all over different parts of the body [even above the head] but not too close to ears, then play with varying degrees of strength whilst the listener feels the vibration of the drum. If the body responds well to stimulus this can be a very more-ish activity for some.

Social, emotional and mental health

Repetitive, gentle 'thuds' from the Shaman drum vibration that can be felt in the tummy or back area can help to give an emotional sense of stability and security, in a similar way that lullabies work.

Communication and interaction

The Shaman drum can be used in a similar way to a resonance board.
You can place it on a wheelchair or on a resonant floor and play it [as indeed you can with any drum] .
Look for the resulting responses. If the practitioner holds the drum against themselves, students can beat the drum and practitioner can give feedback, in word and/or gesture ? this can help the student to temper their own playing [unless they want to give you a hard time by constantly playing hard and loud, of course].

Cognition and learning

'Reading' signals via words and gestures helps with understanding spoken and body language.
Learn about where the drum comes from.
Learn about what Shaman drums are used for, how and why they are used in specific ceremonies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best size for a shamanic drum?
There’s no single "best" size – it depends on age, strength and setting. Smaller shamanic drums (12"–16") suit children and solo practice, while a large shamanic drum (18"–28") gives a deeper voice and leads groups. The 22" size is ideal as a main circle shaman drum in schools and community work.

What is a shamanic drum used for?
Historically, a shamanic drum is a frame drum used alongside song, movement and storytelling. In education we use a shaman hand drum like this for musical and well-being aims: keeping pulse, layering textures, exploring dynamics and creating calming soundscapes, without teaching any specific spiritual practice.

What is the role of rhythm in shamanism?
Across many cultures, steady shamanic drumming is used to support focus, coordinated movement and group cohesion. In a secular classroom, the same repeating shaman drum sound helps pupils develop timing, listening and relaxation skills, and can anchor breathing or movement activities.

How to pick a shamanic drum?
When choosing a shamanic drum, consider:

• Size & weight – can learners hold or reach it easily?
• Sound – do you want bright or very deep tones?
• Context – classroom, therapy room or outdoor circle?
• Practicalities – robust build and, ideally, a padded shamanic drum bag for transport.

For a single all-rounder, this 22" drum offers a strong, low voice and light frame.

Is this 22 inch round hair shaman drum suitable for children and SEND learners?
Yes. Although it’s a large shamanic drum, it’s surprisingly light. You can hold it, place it on a stand, or lay it flat so pupils – including SEND learners – can feel the vibrations while playing with the soft side of the beater for comfortable volume.

N.B. For SEN settings: When you purchase this product you get free access to a wide range of downloadable SEND teaching resources. Please visit our SEND resources page to see the range - free resources have a purple "FREE" label alongside.