Hold the edges of the Ocean Drum with both hands in front of you (like a tray). Keep the clear drum head facing up. Tilt the drum back and forth slowly and gently, so the pellets roll across the bottom of the drum. This will simulate the sound of waves gently rolling upon the shore. If you speed up this motion and then do a rhythm break (suddenly stop), you can make the sound of crashing waves.

Hold the Ocean Drum over your head with the clear side facing the ground. Tilt the drum back and forth while looking up at the pellets. As you look at the rolling pellets and hear rhythmic sounds you will get a wonderful rhythmic sensation for both your eyes and ears will be experiencing rhythm. Don't be surprised you begin to feel like your swimming with the fishies in the sea!!

Bodhran & Frame Drum Sounds

You can play the ocean drum with a mallet and with your hands. Play rhythms of any bodhran, frame drum or other hand drum on it. The unique effect of the pellets and ocean drum will give a feel to familiar rhythms.

Shaker & Shakere Sounds

Hold the edges of the ocean drum with the clear head facing you. The drum can be angled, parallel to the ground (like a tray) or perpendicular to the ground. Shake the drum softly or aggressively to create wonderful shaker or shakere effects.

Change volumes and play with the instrument's intensity.

Change speeds and play with the timing of the shaking and rhythm.

Alternate shaking the drum soft and loud.

Gradually increase volume; gradually decrease volume

Alternate shaking fast and slow

Gradually increase tempo; gradually decrease tempo.

Use rhythmic breaks (sudden stops during your rhythm).

Be creative!