When playing the bee drum, tie the bee drum with a ribbon and hang it horizontally in front of the abdomen or chest. You can also use your left hand to hold a wooden or bamboo round head drum to strike the left spherical-end drum surface, and use your right hand to slap the right trumpet-shaped end drum surface. The drumhead at the bulbous end of the bee drum emits a crisp and bright "da-da" sound (treble); the drumhead at the horn-shaped end emits a deep and rich "tongtong" (bass).

Although the pitches of the sounds emitted at both ends are not fixed, they are usually fifths. It is often used in ensembles together with folk instruments such as small drums, gongs, cymbals, and bells, and is also used as an accompaniment for folk songs and dances such as Shigong Opera, Shigong Dance, and Bee Dance. The sound of the ceramic bee drum is clear and bright; the wooden bee drum is soft and pleasant. The bee drum can also be played on a drum stand.