Are you a total newbie thinking of taking the RAV Vast drum and wondering how this strange instrument should be played? Or perhaps you are a drummer who’s thinking about trying the steel drums or getting a new perspective of playing? Most people believe that drumming background is essential for playing the RAV Vast. But we say the RAV Vast is accessible for everyone! Why? Keep on reading to find about two different approaches to playing the RAV Vast!

One instrument – two approaches

You know that drumming is all about the rhythm. And you imagine that playing the piano is all about melody. But how to play the RAV Vast, which is a drum and still an instrument that creates a long-lasting melodious sound? How to get rhythm and melody at the same time? We say, play it like the piano, play it like the drum!

Are you a beginner?

It’s not a big deal if you don’t delve into the details. The RAV Vast can be played without knowing music theory. However, if you want to get deeper into the matter and learn to play some basics of the music theory, the RAV Vast is just the right instrument for that being very apparent and instructive.

Clap your hands, counting one-two-three-four. This is the rhythm. Now sing the words one-two-three-four. This is the melody. You can play a melody with the RAV Vast just like you clapped your hands. Choose a pattern of 2, 3 or 4 notes and repeat it in different drum directions. For example, play the 4 notes on the bottom, on the left side, on the right side and on the top. Thanks to the RAV Vast perfect harmony which is tuned in the drum, the melody will sound harmoniously no matter which direction you choose. Here you’ve got your first melody! Wanna play it right now? Practice with the RAV Virtual Player!

If you want to move on and learn how to improve rhythm and timing and find some rhythm exercises for beginners, check out a set of tutorials in the Education section (enter your private account at our website).

Are you a musician?

Many professional percussionists get to love (and buy) steel drums because they are used to learning rhythms and playing them. At the same time, the steel drums have what other drums miss – melodiousness.

If you know how to practice a rhythm with Cajon or djembe (or any other drum), you will deal with the RAV Vast easily as you can simply replicate the same rhythms with the RAV drum

By choosing this style, the rhythm will be in focus. However, if you change the perspective and concentrate more on the melody that the tongues produce, you will get a completely different effect (you can use this tip for the RAV Pan as well). In the end, melodiousness is what the tongue drums and handpans are loved for.

Do you have a background in playing strings or piano? Then you can think of playing the RAV Vast as of chordal movements. You can play different chords with dyads and triads and play the compositions in the scales you are meant to know (like D major or B minor, for ex.).

Don’t limit yourself with one approach, take the best of both. Changing the perspective will help you learn how to develop rhythms and enrich your playing style.

Do you need some help on choosing the drum from all the variety of the RAV instruments available for sale in the RAV online store? Use the RAV Virtual Player to select your favorite, or drop us a message, and our managers will help you!