Course Curriculum

  • 2

    Module 1: Building A Steady Foundation

    • How To Play 16th Note Rhythms

    • 16th Note: Warm Up Exercise

    • Playing The Pulse (right hand)

    • Playing The Pulse (left hand)

    • Playing The Pulse: Warm Up Exercise

  • 3

    Module 2: Expanding Your Rhythmic Vocabulary

    • Triplet Rhythms

    • Paradiddle Rhythms

  • 4

    Module 3: Expression & Dynamics

    • What Are Accents and Dynamics?

    • Accent Warm Up #1

    • Accent Warm Up #2

    • Accent Warm Up #3

    • Example Song With Accents

  • 5

    Module 4: Advanced Stick Control

    • What is a flam?

    • Flam Warm Up Exercise

    • What is a flam accent?

    • Flam Accent Warm Up Exercise

  • 6

    Module 5: Making the Drum Sound Musical

    • How To Blend Notes Together

    • Creating Your First Melody

    • Creating Your Own Song

  • 7

    Keep Exploring Your Rhythm

    • Keep Exploring Your Rhythm

    • Tips For Caring For Your Tongue Drum

Course Instructor

Rhythm Practitioner

Alexandra Ray

Hi, I'm Alex, the founder of Root Rhythm. For the past several years, I've been helping beginners discover just how approachable and rewarding the tongue drum can be. Through my YouTube lessons, I've taught thousands of students around the world, and I've noticed something again and again: most people don't struggle because they lack musical ability—they struggle because they don't have a clear path to follow. I've been playing drums for more than 20 years, with a passion for world percussion, rhythm, and mindful music-making. Today, I combine that experience with a teaching style that's simple, encouraging, and designed specifically for beginner to advanced drummers. My goal is to help you move beyond memorizing a few patterns and give you the confidence to sit down with your tongue drum and simply enjoy making music.

Build on your foundation with clear, step-by-step lessons that help you strengthen your rhythm, improve your technique, and start playing with more confidence and flow on your tongue drum.

FAQ

  • Do I need a tongue drum to take this course?

    Yes. You’ll need your own tongue drum and internet access to get the most from this course. While some ideas can be explored without an instrument, the lessons are designed specifically for hands-on practice.

  • Will this course work with my tongue drum?

    Yes. Tongue Drum Foundations is designed to work with most tongue drums, regardless of brand, size, or scale. The techniques and exercises can be adapted to different layouts, so you can follow along with your own instrument.

  • Who is this course for?

    This course is designed for complete beginners or those who have completed my 5-Day Tongue Drum Mini Course and are ready for the next step. If you’ve learned some of the basics and want more structure, clearer practice direction, and more lessons on tongue drum technique this course is a great path forward.

  • Do I need to read music or have drumming experience?

    No. You don’t need to read music or have any prior musical experience. Everything is taught step by step, using simple demonstrations you can follow by watching and playing along.

  • What will I learn in this course?

    You’ll build on what you learned in the 5-Day Tongue Drum Mini Course and start developing real confidence with your playing. We’ll focus on more advanced technique, rhythm, and simple musical patterns that help you move from “just exploring” to actually playing with intention and flow.

  • How long do I have access to the course?

    Once you enroll, you’ll have lifetime access. You can learn at your own pace, revisit lessons anytime, and return to exercises whenever you need practice or a refresher.

Tongue Drum Foundations

will help you move from simple patterns into more confident, structured playing—without rushing the process. If it feels right, start today and let the course guide you from here.

What Students Are Saying

5 star rating

Freedom to explore and express!

Carole Hicks

I am not musically inclined but feel like I am full of potential after taking your first course. Enjoyed receiving this base education and noticed you have...

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I am not musically inclined but feel like I am full of potential after taking your first course. Enjoyed receiving this base education and noticed you have a second course I will sign up for once I spend time practicing what you've taught me.

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5 star rating

Tongue Drum Basics

Candy Filo

Easy to follow, simple enough for very beginners, Very encouraging!

Easy to follow, simple enough for very beginners, Very encouraging!

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5 star rating

Great teaching style

Aaron Hargrove

This course is very well thought out with concepts explained in a way that is easy to grasp for a beginner.

This course is very well thought out with concepts explained in a way that is easy to grasp for a beginner.

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