Trinidad and Tobago steel drums are a 20th century instrument, originally made out of oil drums. These have many "faces" which give different tones, so melodies can be played on them, usually by hitting with mallets. I think steel drum sounds are awesome . . . but there is a 21st century instrument, created in the year 2000 by a pair of Swiss musicians, that adds some amazing sounds to the steel pan idea.
It is called a "Hang." That's Swiss German for "hand," because this instrument uses no mallet; it's played with a hand or hands. Also, just like the steel drum, it is really not a drum. That's because there is no vibrating membrane (thin stretchable cover, as on a drum). It is said to be an "idiophone" instead-- just like wood blocks, triangles, marimba, singing bowl, bells, maracas, and other percussive instruments that aren't drums.
Different in appearance from a steelpan, which is a single open bowl, the Hang is made from two "bowls" fitted together at the edges, so it looks something like a flying saucer.
There are 7 or 8 tone fields on the top side. Each tone field of the Hang has multiple overtones-- usually there is an overtone an octave higher, and a fifth above the octave. This makes the sound rich and soft.
Daniel Waples, from the UK, has been playing the Hang since 2006; when he began, he was working for an African import company, and had experience with drum-playing as well as guitar. Now he travels all over the world playing concerts, and has recorded three albums and 2 EP's that feature the unique sound of the Hang.
Here is a video of Daniel playing in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the famous thoroughfare called "The Royal Mile."
Along with the Hang, Daniel is playing the "cas-cas," a percussive instrument from Ghana. He also has some bells tied to one ankle. These instruments all fit together in a marvelous composition . . .
What do you think of the Hang? If you'd like to learn to play one, you'll have to locate one, first . . . there is a waiting list with the 2 craftspeople who make them. There are only a limited number of these instruments, and they are usually a custom design.
It is called a "Hang." That's Swiss German for "hand," because this instrument uses no mallet; it's played with a hand or hands. Also, just like the steel drum, it is really not a drum. That's because there is no vibrating membrane (thin stretchable cover, as on a drum). It is said to be an "idiophone" instead-- just like wood blocks, triangles, marimba, singing bowl, bells, maracas, and other percussive instruments that aren't drums.
Different in appearance from a steelpan, which is a single open bowl, the Hang is made from two "bowls" fitted together at the edges, so it looks something like a flying saucer.
There are 7 or 8 tone fields on the top side. Each tone field of the Hang has multiple overtones-- usually there is an overtone an octave higher, and a fifth above the octave. This makes the sound rich and soft.
Daniel Waples, from the UK, has been playing the Hang since 2006; when he began, he was working for an African import company, and had experience with drum-playing as well as guitar. Now he travels all over the world playing concerts, and has recorded three albums and 2 EP's that feature the unique sound of the Hang.
Here is a video of Daniel playing in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the famous thoroughfare called "The Royal Mile."
Along with the Hang, Daniel is playing the "cas-cas," a percussive instrument from Ghana. He also has some bells tied to one ankle. These instruments all fit together in a marvelous composition . . .
What do you think of the Hang? If you'd like to learn to play one, you'll have to locate one, first . . . there is a waiting list with the 2 craftspeople who make them. There are only a limited number of these instruments, and they are usually a custom design.
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