The shaman’s drum is a vehicle, a boat if you will, used to travel to the spirit world. The drum stick is the boat paddle creating the beat that induces the trance enabling passage from one world to another.
Shamans all over the world are aware of the sacred drum’s power to shuttle one from this realm to other realms.
You too can use the shaman drum for journeying, all it takes is a little practice.
Here are the 7 best shamanic drum styles you will find in various cultures around the world. This gives you an idea of what is available and allows you to feel out the style you connect to most.
Frame drums exist in cultures worldwide and are believed to be the most ancient and original drum style known to humankind. These drums are more than just instruments—they are vessels of ancient rhythms, passed down through generations, steeped in shamanic tradition.
No wonder they’re the go-to for shamanic rituals! Simple, accessible, portable, and blessed with a beautifully resonant sound that can take you on a journey beyond the mundane. Their charm lies in their minimalism—easy to carry, easier to play, and utterly magical in their tone.
Frame drums are generally crafted from a wooden hoop with animal hide stretched across one side—nature’s perfect recipe for spiritual soundscapes. Held by the wooden frame in the left hand, these drums are played with bare hands, a beater, or a mallet, delivering a sound that feels raw, primal, and deeply connected to the earth.
While most are fixed in their tuning, some, like the iconic Bodhrán in Celtic music, offer tunable skins. With just a twist of a hex key or tunable crossbars, you can adjust the tension for a personalized sound experience. Think of it as the drum that evolves with your spiritual journey.
The round frame isn’t just a design choice—it’s symbolic. It aligns perfectly with the spherical nature of sound waves, creating vibrations that seem to flow effortlessly, resonating deep within your soul.
From Nordic to Russian Sami traditions, frame drums—whether round or elliptical—embody the essence of shamanic culture. With simplicity, affordability, and a sound that transports, this drum is not just a purchase—it’s a spiritual experience waiting to happen.
Traditional Native American shamanic drums were often hexagonal or octagonal shape.
The hexagon and octagonal shapes are important in sacred geometry and those shapes are important to Native Americans.
The shapes are reflected in the shape of the traditional Tipi and Hogan, both Native American dwellings. These dwellings had entrances that faced east, suggesting that the octagon and hexagon were related to the heavens.
The tambourine-style shamanic drum is used by several shamanic cultures worldwide. The Siberian Shamanic tambourine drum is a well-known drum in this style. Siberians to this day continue to prefer this style of drum.
This tambourine is generally quite large and can be oval, egg-shaped, or round. The animal hide skin covers the drum head and resonator tubercles and these drums have a pleasing deep low frequency that you can both feel and hear.
They are my favorite style of shamanic drum as they are drums you can feel their vibration and resonance through your entire being and easily become entranced.
The bodhrán—a rhythmic pulse that’s been beating through Irish culture for centuries. This traditional frame drum, typically crafted from a sturdy wooden frame and a goatskin head, spans 10 to 26 inches in diameter, making it as versatile as it is iconic. But don’t let its simplicity fool you—this drum packs a punch, delivering deep, resonant sounds that are the heartbeat of Celtic folk music.
Played with a small double-headed stick known as a “tipper” or “beater,” the bodhrán isn’t just for keeping time. Oh no, skilled players can manipulate the tension of the skin, coaxing an incredible range of tones out of this magical drum. It’s not just about rhythm—it’s about feeling the music, letting the bodhrán breathe life into every Celtic performance.
But this drum’s story runs deeper. Originating in rural communities in Ireland, possibly used for rituals or even winnowing grain, the bodhrán has evolved into a symbol of cultural pride, rhythm, and soul. It’s not just an instrument—it’s the heartbeat of gatherings, where music, storytelling, and dance weave together in celebration.
With its rich, historical roots and soul-stirring sounds, the bodhrán doesn’t just keep the beat—it carries the spirit of Celtic identity. Whether played at a lively session in the pub or during a soulful performance, it is a must-have for those who want to connect with the deep rhythms of heritage.
Feel the beat. Embrace the Celtic culture. The bodhrán is more than a drum—it’s the sound of history, alive in your hands.
A shamanic hoop drum is similar to and sometimes indistinguishable from a frame drum. They are made with a wood hoop covered with an animal hide on one side. They have a handle on the back and usually come with a beater.
This tambourine is generally quite large and can be oval, egg-shaped, or round. The animal hide skin covers the drum head and resonator tubercles and these drums have a pleasing deep low frequency that you can both feel and hear.
They are my favorite style of shamanic drum as they are drums you can feel their vibration and resonance through your entire being and easily become entranced.
Sami shaman and Sami people believe that all elements of nature have a soul, and therefore, all of nature is to be respected.
The Sami drum has a long history and encountered a painful clash with the Christian religion in the 16th to 19th century. Many Sami were persecuted and even killed for practicing their form of spiritualism, and many Sami drums were destroyed. The Sami culture was pushed underground, but thankfully not lost.
In the Sami tradition, the shaman is considered a Magician, who would use the monotone beating of their Sami drum to go into a trance during their ceremonies. The Sami shaman used the drum trance to travel into the spiritual world, using the drum as a map and a guide while traveling to the other side.
There are two types of Sami drums, a bowl style, and a frame style.
The Sami frame drum is a single strip of wood bent into a circular or oval shape with a hide stretched over the top.
The bowl style Sami drum is smaller than a frame drum because it is made from the burl of a tree.
The Sami drum is traditionally decorated with symbols that are there to speak to the shaman. The pictures on the drum may depict Gods, goddesses, animals, plants such as trees, the sun and other stellar entities, secret symbols, artifacts, people, weapons and tools, boats, abodes, and the world tree.
A Sami drum may be decorated with three layers depicting the underworld and other realms or upper, middle, and lower worlds.
Today shamans use the Sami drum for trance, meditation, divination, ritual ceremonies. Sami drums may be one of the best shamanic drum styles due to their rich heritage, interesting shape, and meaningful art and symbolism, but be aware, the Sami drum is hard to find. The best place to find replicas or modern drums made in the sami style is on Etsy.
This large Sami frame drum is built in the traditional Lapland Sami frame drum style. It features
It is made from reindeer and birch plywood and includes a beater.
Powwow drums are used in Native American ceremonies and group gatherings. The pow wow gatherings are assembled for social reasons and often include singing and traditional native American dance. Powwows can be large events with many drums held all day or even all week.
A Pow wow drum has a frame with a hide on each side. The hide on the bottom is a thinner skin that acts as a resonator for the beats on the top hide of the drum. The top hide is typically thicker.
Native Americans in many regions have sweat lodge ceremonies for religious rites of penance and purification.
Traditions using the sweat lodge drum vary among different groups of Native Americans. Some ceremonies include prayer and singing, making offerings to the spiritual world, and of course, the sweat lodge ceremony includes drumming.
These sacred ceremonies are led by a properly trained and authorized traditional Native American ceremonial leader. An impromptu or improperly built sweat lodge can cause illness, heat stroke, and even suffocation from smoke and heat.
Elk
Elk hides drums are thinner and may produce a higher pitch than cow or buffalo. An elk hide may be used on the backside of a drum as a resonator layer.
Traditionally, elk hide is associated with the shadow side of us and helps us navigate the darkness to bring healing from fears, past trauma, addiction, and loss. Elk hide allows us to face the shadow side and come through the other side with more trust and connection to spirit.
Cow or Bull Hide
A cowhide drum is easy to source, inexpensive relative to other hides and may contain unique patterns, and is reasonably thick and good for deep tones.
Cowhide is common in frame drums, as it is soft, thick, durable, and inexpensive.
The Cow represents Mother Gaia, Mother Earth.
The cow is a universal and metaphysical symbol of motherhood, fertility, nurturing, survival and protection.
They are a symbol of protecting the vulnerable, safeguarding humanity, and providing sustenance such as milk and meat.
The Hindu revere the cow as sacred for this reason and will not eat or harm cows.
Buffalo
Buffalo hide drums are thick and stand up to humidity and use. They are common for sweat lodge drums.
Buffalo hides, also sometimes called Bison Hide are often dark-colored and thicker than other hides. The thick hides produce deep resonant tones.
The buffalo drum is used to seek knowledge, add wisdom, and promote abundance.
The buffalo drumming calls on masculine sky energy joining with sacred feminine earth energy. Shaman drumming rituals with a buffalo hide drum call to mind the connection between the spirit world (masculine sky energy) and the physical (sacred feminine earth energy).
Moose
Moosehide is usually dark in color and thicker than cow, deer, or goat hide. Moosehide is a bit rarer, but it has a nice rich deep sound and withstands humid conditions and locations where the weather changes frequently or where humid is encountered
The moose calls the feminine energy empowering her. The moose is a water lover and drumming with a moose hide drum allows us to swim through our feelings and encounter the release of emotional honesty. Moosehide encourages us to feel and trust our feelings, honor and is proud of who we are, getting validation from the inside, not seeking it externally. It teaches us to trust ourselves and be confident in who we are and helps us protect and feed our inner self.
Horse
Hose hide has specific properties not found in other hides. Specifically, horsehide is more elastic than other hides. It is also usually thicker and provides a deeper sound. It withstands humid environments.
The horsehide drum will take you on a journey, just like a horse can take you for a ride in the physical world, the horsehide can carry you to the spirit realm to seek healing for yourself and those in your care.
The horse has an abundance of energy, making it a lightning-fast leader to the spirit side, trance states, and higher vibrations.
Goat
Goat hide is cheap and widely available. It is a popular choice for beginners shaman drums because goatskin drums are easy to play and tune. It is thought, lightweight and supple, perfect skin for a shaman drum.
The goat spirit provokes a childlike spirit. Have you ever seen baby goats playing? They are some of the most playful, fun animals I know of.
The goat can help you navigate rough terrain with grace and nimble movements. If you find yourself on a rocky path and in need of and seeing from a fresh perspective of the world like a kid again, choose a goatskin shamanic drum.
Deer
Deerskin is thin and good voice in dry or moderate climates. It is not suited to humid weather or wet climates.
The deer is related to the heart chakra and opening or seeking the heart. The deer hide can help you get out of your head and into your heart. It helps us seek and discover love and wisdom.
The deerskin drum is an instrument for dropping a scarcity mindset and embracing abundance and the infinite resources of the universe.
There is abundant love in the universe, abundant time, and scarcity does not exist.
The deer teaches us we have more than we know and the best is yet to come.
Bear
Bear hide is thinner than most other hides and can vary tone depending on the weather. They are prone to humidity. The tone of a bearskin drum has a higher pitch.
Bear hide drums have a sacred and set apart use for bear as medicine ceremonies.
The bear stands for introspection. Looking inside yourself. The bear encourages you to feel, trust and use your instinct.
The bear is utilized for awakening and diving into the deep unconscious and waking up. The bear symbolizes awakening as they hibernate deeply each winter symbolizing death and awaken symbolizing rebirth in the spring.
The bear is renowned as a great healer, bringing harmony and balance.
If you are looking to get into shamanic drumming a focus on repetition helps. Something like this Shamanic Journey Drumming repetitive style of drumming is what you are after to induce a trance state.
The physical act of drumming must be done with a free spirit. So just lose yourself in the drumming and swaying with the rhythm, allowing yourself to merge with the beat and move with the tempo.
The movement ad repetition is what promote the trance state. If you have others in the ceremony, your movement and freedom of expression encourage and allows them to join in. It is a natural human quality to move with the rhythm, something in us designed by source.
You are free to find your own movement, rhythm, and style, as each shaman is unique. The following video is one of the best shamanic drum examples portraying the Russian shaman drumming and dance tradition.
Traditionally a shaman connects with his shamanic drum through ritual. Your drum is an extension of your body. You can sanctify it, smudge it instilling your intentions for the drum, Carry it with you everywhere and even keep it with you as you sleep.
To care for your drum when you are not using it, keep it wrapped or in a cloth or leather bag or shaman drum case.
Do not let the drum touch the ground, just like you would not set your purse on the ground because your purse is a symbol of your abundance, and placing it on the floor invites bad luck.
Putting a purse or your shaman drum on the ground has negative connotations subconsciously because it displays disrespect disregard for your abundance and wealth. Do not set your sacred drum on the ground to show respect for the gifts and journeys it allows you.
Always keep a blanket or cloth under it when you store your shaman drum.
If and when your drum wears out or breaks and is no longer useful, treat it as you would a good friend. Give it a proper burial and ceremony, just as you would a good and faithful companion.
Making your own shaman drum is an excellent way to connect with the drum and build a drum that perfectly suits you.
After all, the best shamanic drum is the one you make yourself and put your heart and essence into.
See this article on Crafting a Shamanic Drum. It will show you how to make a simple shaman drum in the frame drum style. A few things you need to build your own drum are:
Items you need to build your own shaman drum:
Water & large container
Scissors & sharp knife
With a little research, patience, and investment you can have a shaman drum you made yourself.
A shaman is a traveler between this physical world and the spirit world.
A shaman may be a healer or a messenger, bringing back knowledge from the other side.
The shaman uses a drum to enter a trance state to communicate with the spirits. He may seek knowledge for his own healing, or the healing of those he serves.
The shaman can bring wisdom for healing a person, a community, helping resolve conflicts and unrest in a group.
The definition of shamanism varies across the world and may have differences among different cultures and locations.
But…
There are some beliefs common to shamans around the world. Including;
-The spirit world exists and interacts with our physical world.
-Shamans are capable of reading the future and other forms of divination.
-Spirits may be beneficial or have ill intent, good or evil.
-Our spirit body can exit our physical body for a time and search for understanding in the spirit world.
-Shamanistic rituals and ceremonies, including shamanic drumming, evoke images of spirit guides, including animals. They deliver omens and messages from the spirit world.
-Shamans have the gift of being able to pass the veil into the spirit world and communicate with entities there.
-Shamanistic drumming can induce a trance state and facilitate visionary journeys.
Shamanic drumming is an ancient worldwide spiritual practice. Shamanism involves entering a trance state or altered state of consciousness to facilitate access to the spirit world to seek healing and information from the spirit side.
The shaman has several tools for entering the spirit world and one effective tool is shamanic drumming. Unlike Ayahuasca or peyote journeying, shamanic drumming is a quick way to enter a trance state sober and free from the mind-altering plant medicines used for journeying.
The drumming is rhythmic and repetitive, is a frequency range between 4 to 7 Hz. When the mind resonates and merges with this frequency range the brain waves enter a theta state, a type of lucid dream state that allows the shaman to connect with the upper and lower spirit world.
As a side note, shamanic drums are great for entering a trance state, but I recently discovered a new type of drum that is perfect for meditation and easy to play.
It’s called a handpan. Check out this list of handpans made in the USA.
Once you hear the absolutely magical sound that comes from these UFO-shaped metal orbs, you will fall in love.
When a shamanic drum is crafted, the hide skin is fixed tight on the drum frame. However, the weather, humidity, and thickness of the hide all play a part in keeping the skin tight.
Humidity causes laxness in the skin or hide, and a thinner hide is more prone to become lax and lose its voice or produce a flat sound in a humid environment. It will regain its voice once the drum is removed from the humid environment and has a chance to dry out.
Some drummers “warm-up” their drums by setting them in direct sunlight for a short period of time before playing. Just don’t leave it in the sun too long as the sun can breakdown the hide over time.
If you live in a humid environment and are worried a shamanic drum may go flat on you, why not consider a crystal singing bowl. I love to meditate using the sound of these bowls, and I prefer the larger bowls because they have a deeper sound. If you want to learn more about crystal singing bowls, here is a guide to the
best crystal singing bowls.
The Frame Drum
The Irish Bodhran
The 8 Sided or 8 Corner Drum
The Siberian Tambourine Drum
The Native American Hoop Drum
The Lapland Samis Drum
The Ceremonial Tarahumara, Grandmother or Powwow drum
The Sweat Lodge Drum
Thank you for traveling with me to the end! I hope you learned more about the best shamanic drum styles and have a better feel for the style that is right for you.
If you like these types of guides, I have more!
In addition to my guide to crystal singing bowls and my HUGE article introducing folks to the ethereal music of the handpan, here at High Vibration Station we have all kinds of articles to raise your vibe.
If you love to read, I have a great list of books that helped me through my spiritual awakening. I am still learning and plan to add to the list as I work through more books and gain a deeper understanding.
I also have an awesome guide with 7 ways to remove negative energy, and I use these methods a lot so I highly recommend you learn a few ways to shoo away bad vibes in your home or when you encounter them while you are out and about.
Let’s stay connected! Sign up for my newsletter “Radio Frequency” and I will give you a heads up via your email inbox when I have something new for you to see. I will NEVER sell or use your data for anything other than sending you updates about this website. No spam, I promise.
“Radio Frequency” is my email list reserved for Fellow Travelers, Matrix Escapees, Psychonauts, Shamanic Journeyers, Alchemists, Interdimensionals, Inquiring Minds, & Mad Hatters; those who dare to join & explore wonderland with me.
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