Among the different categories of percussion instruments, there's often a cause for discussion especially when it comes to comparing handpan vs hang drum. As synonymous with their tuneful tones and the meditative quality of the music they generate as these instruments are, for all that commonality in technique is a world-chasm difference between them! Knowing the intricate details of handpan hang drum — specially quelled; or where it came from helps fans to appreciate their instruments as well made informed decisions for future potential players. Our discussion this month digs deep further into the topic of handpan vs hang drum examines a history laden with idiosyncrasies relating to cultural heritage, acoustic innovation and how musical expression has evolved.
This article is all about unraveling various historical and cultural backgrounds in which the handpan instrument or the hang drum that introduced certain milestones throughout its journey. It will walk its way through the nuances of handpan drum vs hang drum in terms design and production all the way down to those minute idiosyncrasies which have an impact on how it plays, as well as sounds. In addition, we will delve into the acoustic disparities that make up each instrument's voice enabling us to understand their utilization throughout multiple genres of musical compositions and performance. After that, readers will know everything there is to understand about the handpan vs hang drum, and be able to recognize how they are both alike as well as what sets them apart from each other.
Cultural and Historical Context
The handpan and its predecessor, the hang drum both have a deep global history spanning continents & decades. They were invented at the beginning of 2000 in Bern, Switzerland and is a registered trade mark: Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer are founders of PANArt (PANart Hang Manufacturing Ltd).
Origin and Evolution
Born out of this and drawing inspiration from an unlikely pairing, the Trinidadian steel drum alongside Indonesian gamelan; Rohner's skills in metalworking were joined by Shärer's craft for music-making to create a truly original percussion instrument that is lovingly hand-crafted. The word "Hang" is from the Bernese German pang, a general Swiss term for hand.
The Hang started as a niche instrument that PANArt was the only maker of. Subsequently, as its alchemical timbres and cultish allure became well-known, other companies began to build their own versions of it under the name "handpan", overwhelmed by worldwide demand.
Cultural Impact
Both the handpan and its spiritual predecessor, the hang drum, have transcended their roots to become worldwide phenomena that inspire all ranges of players from musicians improvising with them in concert halls to so-called sound healers utilizing their calming tones for therapeutic effect. Their hypnotic melodies and ethereal timbres have helped spawn a community of players, workshops, and festivals around planet Earth as well.
Its distinctive sound has been heard in a wide range of genres from ambient or world music to meditation and sound therapy.
Today online platforms are responsible for spreading the awareness and connecting handpan lovers worldwide via social media.
Through shared friendships and mutual love of the handpan, a sense if acceptance created a unique niche within an ever broadening circle.
Global Reach
The key to widespread acceptance of the handpan in world music performance appears linked tightly with its youth appeal and precipitating ease, though use remains heavily concentrated around Europe and North America.
With the world's fascination for these types of instruments like handpan and hang drum still growing, we're excited to see how their cultural influence will further extend itself beyond country borders as they evolve from mere musical artifacts into something more avant-garde yet organic; ultimately uniting people across geographical barriers with its universal voice in music.
Physical Differences
Appearance The handpan and hang drum look somewhat similar, but they demonstrate differences that separate them from each other as well. They differ in terms of materials as well as the ways how to make them; design changes and durability too.
Materials and Manufacturing
Credit: Shutterstock The hang drum, as originally made by PANArt in Switzerland has its own unique UFO-like form of a metal-to-stress device with a central dome that is surrounded by eight to nine tone fields on the top surface. Made from custom designed steel, it's made to sound warm and resonate well due to the special shape of its blade which is formed under unique circumstances.
Alternatively, the handpan is a generic term to encompass classes of instruments stemming from/inspired by the hang drum. The hang drum is a unique instrument made by the Swiss company PANArt, where as handpans are an umbrella category of similar instruments from various manufacturers globally. They can be made from different materials like metal, titanium or even wood so the sounds and resonances vary.
Design Variations
Even though the hang drum has a very unique UFO look, from handpans are available in different form as well. While other handpans replicate the design of a hang drum, some feature their own unique shapes such as spherical or conical forms. The number of tone fields can also differ, with many having more or fewer than the eight to nine found on a traditional hang drum.
Durability
The durability of hang drums and handpans differ greatly due to the kind of materials used, and how they are produced. The hang drum, constructed from a proprietary steel alloy and while being relatively fragile is still capable of denting or deformation when dropped in such weather. These dents interfere with the tuning of this instrument and quality of sound generally.
With handpans, meanwhile, their long-term strength will vary depending on the type of materials they are made from. Handpans made from harder materials (e.g. titanium) are less likely to become dented or affected by the elements, whereas handpans produced using softer metals and/or wood may be more prone to environmental damage of sorts.
Both hang drums, and handpans need attention when it comes to caring for them because they can go out of tune in the long run. Opting for a second-hand musical instrument is tricky because in the past it may have undergone some sort of accidental impacts or poor maintenance, so notes can be changed and harm the general sound.
Acoustic Differences
Each of these differences in the acoustics behind what differentiates a handpan and hang drum from one another, making each's sound uniquely exceptional. In each of these areas, their sound profiles exhibit different traits and play quite disparate roles in many musical types.
Sound Profile
The hang drum, an invention by the PANArt brothers stands out with its unique ding note from the center dome and sets of melodic tones coming in surges across tone fields. Hang drums have tone fields of varying tuning, depending on the notes employed in their construction - some common hang drum scales include Gong Diao, Hijaz Madenati and Raga Desh.
In comparison, Handpans are a family of side-blown instruments with different crafting techniques and materials making them capable of producing more diversified sound profiles. Though some handpans mimic the tone of a hang drum, others have subtle differences in sustain and overtones - offering an increased level of harmonic complexity. Handpans can be made using various tuning scales, from traditional Western scales to more exotic Eastern and custom-made tunings.
Playing Style
Both instruments are played by hands smiting or caressing the tone fields, but techniques vary. The shape of the hang drum flares out, and has an arrangement where notes come in strings that make fluid gliding patterns possible so you can flow from note to tend without hesitation.
The different overtones, for crysinoutloud.Handpans come in all kinds of shapes and tone field configurations which may need more diligent hitting/tapping techniques While the way in which Hang Drums conquered most of world markets, some handpans accepts a more melodic playing style based on his technique; others lending themselves to be percussion instrument, all depends how it is designed.
All Kinds of Applications
The handpan and hang drum have been incorporated into different musical styles, incorporating their individual charm to the compositions.
Probably the most common music it would be used for, with its aesthetically pleasing and relaxing tone, both harps have seen good use in ambient/new age music that is typically tuned to 432hz which specializes at relaxation/meditation/healing sound.
World Music:The handpan can play with a lot of scales as well, which has made it very appealing in that sense because you can really blend the instrument into some traditional music from around the world.
Contemporary & Experimental: Musicians have tested out the handpan and hang drum in contemporary sounds, while others expanded on both of these instruments' offerings to create their own experimental realms.
Film and Video Game Scores: The ethereal, spooky sounds of these instruments have made them a popular choice for film/ video game scores to add some depth or otherworldliness to cinematic/ interactive experiences.
Although the handpan and hang drum have acoustic similarities, their unique modalities of creating sounds differ from each other offering different genres to use them in for its diverse sound that makes it captivating.
Conclusion
Whilst our quest to navigate the minute nuances and felicitous parallels by which we can delineate two seemingly kindred instruments throughout the ancient history of handpan vs hang drum: origins, culture ramifications and inherent physical/acoustic traits. This exploration has revealed more than just the context, craftsmanship and variety of musical possibilities in each instrument; it further emphasizes their unique power to cross borders - through time and space creating cultural bridges or simply community spirit that transcends language barriers. Such depth of knowledge makes the distinction not merely one between two types, but points more toward an acknowledgement and appreciation for what each can bring to musical healing domains.
But the importance of them playing this instrument transcends music making - they use it as a tool to bridge communities and worlds together through the universal language of rhythm & melody. Their progress up to this point has mirrored a larger story of innovation, tradition and the pursuit for ever greater sonic perfection. There are ever more frontier crossing possibilities for musicians, listeners and culture explorers in which to venture further inside these remarkable instruments to continue exploring the new platforms opening up for them globally. One that calls forth a future in which the captivating tonal landscapes of handpan and hang drum remain an inspiration, conduit for healing, uniting communities around the planet.
FAQs
- What makes handpans so different from hang drums?
The difference is in the branding and terms. The proprietary name of Page begins with "Hang", coined by its original manufacturers. Although "Hang Drum" is used very often it could be more precise to call the instruments produced by PanArt as "Hang", the general term for this type of instrument would probably "handpan".
- The size of a tank drum versus those with the handpans
Handpans are much more bigger than tank drums. This size variation is crucial because the handpan membranes require more surface area to diliver a provident sound output with high response.
- What is the similar hang drum like instrument?
RAV Drum (Hang drum similar instrument) A mix of musical genesis - this melodic percussion drum was originated from Russia and designed by an engineer Andrey Remyannikov. It has the convex shape which is typical of handpans
- So why is it called a "hang drum"?
The term "Hang" comes from a Bernese German word that would translate equally to both hand and hillside, which might be related with the round shape of this instrument. "Hang" is a registered trademark of PANArt Hangbau AG.
