33 Traditional Native American Songs for Tongue Drum and Handpan

Music is an integral part in the life of the Native Americans, playing a key role in ceremonies, recreational activities, self-expression, and healing. Many different instruments are used in Native American music, including drums, flutes, and other percussion instruments.

These songs were adapted here for Tongue Drum and Handpan and they are possible to play on most drum models.

The steel tongue drum (aka tong drum, tank drum, gluck-o-phone, hapi, or steeldrum) and the handpan (aka hank drum, UFO drum, zen drum, meditation, healing, yoga or chakra drum) are percussion musical instruments designed to help you focus on your feelings, sensations, and body.
In musical science, a unique Native American style of singing can be distinguished. It is characterized by rhythmic breathing, a tense voice, and syllabic sounds being more important than lyrics. These technical features helped the shaman achieve a trance state. Although the tongue drum is a modern musical instrument, is perfectly suitable for any tribal song.

Attention: Songs have been transposed for a DIATONIC range. Some melodies might be changed and simplified. If your drum has flat keys, it is recommended that you use the classic sheet music for the piano.

We write the note numbers above the notes because our sheet music is aimed at absolute beginners. Just follow numbers and enjoy.
Here you can find traditional songs, handed down from generation to generation: ceremonial (such as corn grinding or moccasin game songs) or healing songs.
Also, we add a QR code to most songs. Follow the link and find this song on YouTube, so that you can listen to the rhythm before beginning to play.

Which tongue drum are these songs suitable for?
Each tongue drum is very different and it is impossible to accommodate songs for all kinds of tongue drums in one book.
This book is suitable for most models of handpan, but if you have a tongue drum, it should have a minimum of 10 keys, because many songs in this book involve more than one-octave notes.
Here, we have collected only simplified diatonic melodies.

Contents
Ani Couni. Arapaho Song. (Version 1)
Ani Couni. Arapaho Song. (Version 2)
Ani Couni. Arapaho Song. (Version 3)
Medicine Song. Apache Song
Bebi Notsa. Creek folk song
Buffalo Dance. Kiowa folk song
Chippewa Lullaby. Chippewa folk song
Corn Grinding Song. Zuni folk song
Dust of the Red Wagon. Ute folk song
Eagle Dance Song. Algonquin folk song
Epanay. Sioux folk song
Eskimo Ice Cream. Inuit folk song
Hiya Hiya. Pawnee folk song
Happy Song. Navajo folk song
Ho Ho Watanay. Iroquois Lullaby. (2 versions)
Hosisipa. Sioux folk song
Hwi Ne Ya He. Presumably an Apache song
Happiness Song. Navajo folk song
Inuit Lullaby. Inuit folk song
Moccasin Game Song. Navajo folk song
Nessa, Nessa. Ojibwe Lullaby
Mos Mos. Hopi folk song
My Paddle. Folk song
O Hal'lwe. Nanticoke folk song
Okki Tokki Unga. Eskimo fishing song
Pleasure Dance. Choctaw folk song
Sioux Lullaby. Sioux folk song
Song of the Deer Dancing. Chippewa folk song
Song to the Sun. Zuni folk song
Uhe' Ba Sho. Omaha folk song
Wanagi Wacipi Olowan. Dakota folk song
Wioste Olowan. Dakota folk song
We N’ De Ya Ho Cherokee Morning song
Ya Ya We. Wichita song
Zuni Sunset Song. Zuni folk song