What is the primary purpose of the Meinl Flower of Life Wave Drum?

It is designed for meditation, sound therapy, and creating ambient musical textures. It specifically aims to replicate the sound of ocean waves through physical movement.

What materials are used for the drum heads?

The drum features two natural goat skin heads. These provide a warm, organic resonance that complements the sound of the internal beads.

How do you produce sound with this drum?

Sound is produced by gently tilting or rotating the drum horizontally. This causes the internal beads to roll across the head, creating a surf-like texture.

Can the sound of the beads be adjusted?

Yes, the drum includes a sealable filling port. This allows the player to add or remove beads to adjust the volume and speed of the wave effect.

What are the internal beads made of?

The drum is filled with a soft mixture of glass and amaranth beads. This combination ensures a smooth, restrained sound without harsh transients.

What kind of wood is used for the shell?

The shell is constructed from Siam Oak. This wood provides a stable and comfortable frame for the 20-inch diameter instrument.

What is the significance of the Flower of Life design?

The Flower of Life is a geometric pattern used as a visual focus. It is intended to aid in therapeutic or reflective use during sound sessions.

Does this drum require drumsticks?

No, it is primarily a hands-on instrument designed to be tilted. While it can be struck lightly, its main function is the rolling bead sound.

What is the typical price for this model?

The Meinl Sonic Energy 20" Flower of Life Wave Drum typically retails for approximately £149.

How does this differ from a standard snare drum?

Unlike snare drums like the Tama Starclassic or Natal Originals, this drum has no snares and is not meant for loud rhythmic playing. It is a textural, ambient instrument.

Is this instrument portable?

At 20 inches in diameter, it is a larger frame drum but remains relatively lightweight due to the Siam Oak construction. It is portable enough for practitioners to take to different venues.

Can children use this instrument?

Yes, its simple operation makes it accessible. However, for very young children, smaller alternatives like the Gear4Music Junior kits or Remo Lollipop drums might be easier to handle physically.

Gear article

Meinl Sonic Energy 20" Flower of Life Wave Drum

The Meinl Sonic Energy 20" Flower of Life Wave Drum is a specialised percussion instrument designed for sound therapy, meditation, and ambient performance. By utilising internal beads between dual natural goat skin heads, it replicates the auditory texture of ocean waves and surf.

See live prices

Overview and Design

The Meinl Sonic Energy 20" Flower of Life Wave Drum is an acoustic instrument crafted to evoke the soothing sounds of the ocean. Unlike standard frame drums, this model features two natural goat skin heads mounted on a sturdy Siam Oak shell. The interior is partially filled with a mixture of glass and amaranth beads, which roll across the bottom head when the drum is tilted.

A notable design element is the 'Flower of Life' motif printed on the surface. This geometric pattern serves as a visual focus during therapeutic sessions or reflective musical practice, aligning the instrument with Meinl's Sonic Energy series intended for holistic well-being.

Operation and Sound Mechanism

To operate the wave drum, the player holds the frame horizontally and gently tilts or rotates it. This movement causes the internal beads to flow across the natural skin, creating a sustained, rushing sound. The choice of glass and amaranth for the filling is deliberate; these materials provide a smooth, restrained response that avoids the sharp transients or 'clicking' sounds found in cheaper plastic-filled drums.

One of the instrument's unique technical features is a sealable filling port. This allows the user to add or remove beads to customise the density and speed of the wave effect, enabling fine-tuning for specific acoustic environments or therapeutic requirements.

British Drum Company British Drum Co. Maverick 14 x 5.5 Maple Snare Drum

Acoustic Character

The sound of the Meinl Wave Drum is characterised by its organic, fluid texture. The natural goat skin heads provide a warmer, deeper resonance compared to synthetic alternatives. Because the movement of the beads is controlled by the player's physical motion, the instrument encourages slow, deliberate movements to maintain a consistent 'surf' sound. The result is an ambient soundscape that is highly effective for masking background noise or creating a calming atmosphere in yoga studios and sound baths.

Applications and Suitability

This instrument is primarily suited for:

Sound Therapists: For use in relaxation and meditation sessions.
Ambient Musicians: To add organic textures to recordings or live performances.
Educators: As a simple, tactile instrument for teaching rhythm and listening skills.
Home Users: For personal mindfulness practice and stress reduction.

Comparison to Alternatives

While standard frame drums like the Remo Lollipop Frame Drum are designed for rhythmic striking, the Meinl Wave Drum is designed for rolling motion. Compared to high-end snare drums such as the British Drum Co. Maverick or the DW Collectors Series, the Wave Drum is not intended for backbeats or high-volume projection.

In the context of melodic percussion, such as the Sela Melody Tongue Drum or the Sonor AQ2 series, the Wave Drum offers a non-tonal, textural alternative. It provides a different therapeutic utility than the precise pitches of a tongue drum, focusing instead on white noise and natural sound simulation.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of the Meinl Flower of Life Wave Drum?: It is designed for meditation, sound therapy, and creating ambient musical textures. It specifically aims to replicate the sound of ocean waves through physical movement.
What materials are used for the drum heads?: The drum features two natural goat skin heads. These provide a warm, organic resonance that complements the sound of the internal beads.
How do you produce sound with this drum?: Sound is produced by gently tilting or rotating the drum horizontally. This causes the internal beads to roll across the head, creating a surf-like texture.
Can the sound of the beads be adjusted?: Yes, the drum includes a sealable filling port. This allows the player to add or remove beads to adjust the volume and speed of the wave effect.
What are the internal beads made of?: The drum is filled with a soft mixture of glass and amaranth beads. This combination ensures a smooth, restrained sound without harsh transients.
What kind of wood is used for the shell?: The shell is constructed from Siam Oak. This wood provides a stable and comfortable frame for the 20-inch diameter instrument.
What is the significance of the Flower of Life design?: The Flower of Life is a geometric pattern used as a visual focus. It is intended to aid in therapeutic or reflective use during sound sessions.
Does this drum require drumsticks?: No, it is primarily a hands-on instrument designed to be tilted. While it can be struck lightly, its main function is the rolling bead sound.
What is the typical price for this model?: The Meinl Sonic Energy 20" Flower of Life Wave Drum typically retails for approximately £149.
How does this differ from a standard snare drum?: Unlike snare drums like the Tama Starclassic or Natal Originals, this drum has no snares and is not meant for loud rhythmic playing. It is a textural, ambient instrument.
Is this instrument portable?: At 20 inches in diameter, it is a larger frame drum but remains relatively lightweight due to the Siam Oak construction. It is portable enough for practitioners to take to different venues.
Can children use this instrument?: Yes, its simple operation makes it accessible. However, for very young children, smaller alternatives like the Gear4Music Junior kits or Remo Lollipop drums might be easier to handle physically.