The rich history behind the handpan, also commonly called the Hang drum or the Pantam, is tremendously filled with creativity and a blend of cultures. While the instrument’s design is still comparatively new and modern, the instrument came into existence sometime around the mid-twentieth century. Since then, the instrument has gone through a long time to get here.
In recent years, the handpan has greatly increased in popularity, captivating everyone with its enchanting and harmonious sound. Its playing style has an effect on people that reduces stress and calms the soul. It’s only fair to wonder about where this instrument came from. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the origins of the handpan and its rich history. So, let’s get into it!
History Of The Hand Pan, Hang Drum, and Pantam
Have you ever wondered if two sheets of convex steel glued together can make such an ethereal sound that it captivates listeners? That’s how handpans or hang drums were born. In 1976, two steel pan builders, Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer, worked at panART in Switzerland. They made instruments and supplied them to bands nationwide in the 80s and 90s.
Felix and Sabina kept experimenting with the sounds of the steel pans, and with some input from a hand percussionist, Robert Weber, they invented a ‘mother Hang’ for all musical lovers in 1990. It is now called a Hang drum, where the word Hang originated from the Bernese German word used for ‘Hand.’ Although PANart highly disregards the word, people still use it commonly.
PANart Hang Production
After much praise, Felix and Sabina focused on the production of Hang Hang and stopped their steel pan work at PANart. They kept their focus on the ethnic tones and presented their work in around 45 soothing sounds. They had a unique design with a middle central note, which they called a ‘Ding’ surrounded by different smaller notes that can be easily played with hands.
In 2001, they showed their artwork at Musikmesse Frankfurt. Then, in 2005, everyone went crazy as several people started to talk on YouTube about the Hang. As its popularity grew, it became more difficult for music lovers to acquire the instrument later. Buyers were supposed to wait months to get responses to their letters and then invitations to buy the Hang in person.
The Evolution Of Handpans
The Hang received a great response, but the developers did not mass produce it and lost its essence. Their main focus was to produce a finely tuned hang, ensuring its craftsmanship was intact. That made other makers experiment with the original design, and this is where the handpans came into being. The demand gave birth to a similar category called handpans.
PANart debated extensively that Hangs differ from handpans or steel pans. On the other hand, other cultures started creating their versions of handpans. They used the tuning techniques and designs from the Hang and tried to make them as close as possible to the PANart. Although the Hang, handpan, and pantam are thought to be the same, they belong to different owner brands.
Before The PANart Hang - Early History Of The Steel Pan
The Hang, handpan or pantam story started long before Felix and Sabina. The making of a steel pan that came from the resilience of the islanders of Trinidad and Tobago is the root where it all began. In the 1900s, the locals were deprived of music by banning musical instruments. They rebelled against the laws and started looking for anything they could drum on for music.
It was a region with a massive oil industry. Eventually, they found oil drums to bang on and create different melodic sounds for the love of their music. Some people started to shape these oil drums into instruments. A young lad, Ellie Mannette, now known as the father of steel pans, really transformed these oil drums into fine musical instruments after years of hard work.
The Frequency Ratios Of The Notes
As the years progressed, the evolution of steel pan by legends like Ellie Mannette, Winston Spree Simon, and Anthony Achong has been noticeable. In the early 1960s, the fine-tuning of octaves, as well as some basic notes, started. Soon after, another frequency note, the compound 5th, was added to the list. That basically was the mark of high-quality instruments.
Now, these 1:2:3 frequency ratios in Steel Pan and Handpan notes produce a melodious harmony that is highly soothing for listeners. The sound is all thanks to the one wave for the fundamental, two for the octave, and three for the compound 5th. Later in the 1990s, shoulder tones were also introduced, adding more depth to the sound, and bringing magic to the ears!
History Of The Dome Structures
Any drum, be it a Handpan, a Hang or a Pantum, shares similarities with a steel pan. The key factor that unites them is how the designs are connected and the way the harmony sounds. The dome-shaped designs found in gongs and Gamelan instruments have been highly relevant references that have been lying around for centuries and have influenced these instruments.
When making the Hang, these Dome structures were also used by the PANart to make their instruments more refined and controlled. They gave their steel pans and the Hang a warmer sound that came as a unique blend of ancient crafts and modern alterations. This way, the new invention kept the traditions intact along with new innovations, creating an iconic combination.
Where Did The Names “Handpan,” “Pantam,” and Ufo Drum Originate?
Handpan
After the creation of Hang by the PANart, different makers started to replicate the design. As more builders were trying to build similar instruments, PANart did not want their unique name to be used by anyone else. To avoid copying the trademarked name of Hang, Kyle Cox came up with the term Handpan, combining pan from the steel pan and hand as that's how it is played.
Pantam
An Israeli distributor described the Hang by using the term Pantam. It was a combination of the steel pan and Ghatam. Ghatam is a clay pot drum that originated from South India. This term became popular when the founder of SPB, Victor Levinson, started using it to show his work. Although Pantam has a loyal following, handpans and hang drums are commonly used.
UFO Drum
This term has a rather funny story attached to it. It came out when people on the internet were trying to find out what the instrument that was the talk of the town looked like. Well, it does resemble a flying thing from space; hence, the nickname UFO drum was established. Not many people use the term, but it does speak of a unique description due to its distinct design.
Why Are Handpans, Pantam, and Hang Drums Called “Drums”?
If you want to search for the ‘Hang’ and type it online, we are sure you will find several diverse results. That is how the term Hang drums or handpan pan drum came into being. It is not what they are called, but to give the search context, people looked at it online, and everyone started calling them drums. This is the reason all these instruments are popularly called drums.
Most musicians combine different playing techniques from tabla and drums and play them on handpans. This way, the players commonly called these instruments drums instead of using complex terms like idiophone and membranophone. Even though these are not technically robust terms, they make it easier for people to understand what you are referring to.
What To Look For When Buying Handpans?
You must research first if you are looking for a handpan drum for sale. There are multiple online sellers on various platforms that are selling low-quality instruments. The rightful tuning of these drums is extremely important to produce a soothing harmony. As handpans are handcrafted, their quality can vary. It is crucial to look for reviews about the makers to choose the correct one.
The track record of craftsmen is highly significant. Although they may charge on the higher end, getting a cheap instrument at a lower price will compromise the music you are trying to produce. Even if you need a handpan for beginners, it is essential to choose the right instrument as it will establish the basis of your musical journey and help in the long run producing magical music.
Conclusion
Handpans, hang drums, and a pantam all originated from steel pans. These instruments have magic within them, which can be displayed through their melodious harmony. Whether you are a musician looking for a handpan for sale or have the best one out there, the history that connects the origin of these instruments produces the magic behind the music and the peace it brings!
