Musical Art: This beautiful musical drum is truly a work of art crafted and tuned by artist and founder Michael Thiele and his son Joah of the Hardwood Music Company. Crafted from a variety of hardwoods, Michael Thiele's drums can be found in select music stores and galleries throughout the U.S. and Canada. The instruments are known as hardwood drums or tongue drums. They are a modern day incarnation of an ancient Aztec tribal and ceremonial device known as the Taponaxtli. The Taponaxtli was basically a hollowed-out log with two tongues carved out to create a non-specific high and low pitch. Make beautiful music in your home.