Handpan vs Hang Drum: what is this instrument, how does it sound and how to play it?

HandpanAs one of the most fascinating percussion instruments, it has won the hearts of musicians all over the world. With its unique sound, versatility and unique appearance, handpan is becoming increasingly popular in various musical genres – from meditative music to more dynamic, rhythmic compositions. In this article, we'll take a look at this unusual instrument, discussing its sound, design, history, and playing techniques.

Handpan sound and music features

One of the most important aspects of handpan is its sound. The sounds that this instrument makes have an extraordinary depth and harmony. Sounds create a sense of spaciousness and tenderness, and overtones create a unique atmosphere. A handpan consists of several hollow "hands" on a metal surface that are responsible for different tones. Playing it, you can create both melodic phrases and energetic rhythms. The musical possibilities of this instrument are almost limitless. Different playing techniques allow you to create unique sound effects, from subtle, quiet tones to dynamic beats that add energy to the entire composition.

Tool design and materials for handpan

Handpan, also commonly referred to as hang drum, is an instrument consisting of two parts – the upper and lower-which form a characteristic shape resembling a "bowl " or"drums". Each of the parts of the instrument has a hollow area that is responsible for different sounds. The upper part has arranged "palms" (curved recesses), which are played, creating melodic sounds. The lower part, called the " kick”, is a space that is responsible for more bass, deeper tones.

Handpans are usually made of high-quality stainless steel or special metal alloys that provide durability and excellent acoustic properties. Thanks to the precise processing of materials, this instrument can produce such a clear and rich sound that makes each note bright and expressive.

Handpan vs Hang Drum-Terminology Discussion

Choć często mówi się o „handpanie” lub „hang drumie”, termin ten bywa używany wymiennie z nazwą „hang”, co może prowadzić do pewnych nieporozumień. „Hang” to nazwa instrumentu, który powstał jako pierwszy – został zaprezentowany światu w 2000 roku przez szwajcarską firmę PANArt. Nazwa „handpan” natomiast, odnosi się do ogólnej kategorii instrumentów, które bazują na koncepcji hangu, ale są produkowane przez różne firmy i w różnych wariantach.

Despite the fact that the term "handpan" is now more widely used, many musicians and enthusiasts of the instrument still use the original name to pay tribute to the creators. However, in everyday use, the two names often function interchangeably, indicating instruments with a similar sound and design.

History and origin of handpan

Handpan (or hang drum), as already mentioned, comes from the "hang" instrument, which was created by Felix Rohner and Sabin Muller of PANArt. Inspired by traditional percussion instruments from different parts of the world, such as steel drums from the Caribbean, the creators of hangu have developed an instrument that combines the unique sound characteristics of metal with the spaciousness of tones and melodies. The first hang was created in 2000 and quickly gained popularity among musicians who were looking for a new, inspiring sound.

Over the years, other companies have started creating their own versions of the tool, now called handpan. Although some of these instruments differ in design details, they all retain the distinctive features of the original hangu: a round shape, hollow "arms" and a rich, harmonious sound.

Handpan instrument playing technique

The handpan game is simple and extremely creative. Although the instrument may seem difficult for people who have never played an instrument before, the basic techniques are fairly easy to learn. Here are some of them::

1. Finger strikes - The main method of playing the handpan is to hit the hollow” hands " of the instrument with your fingers. Each beat evokes clear sounds that create a melody.
2. Technika „thumb tapping” - This includes hitting different parts of the instrument with your hands delicately and accurately. This type of technique allows you to get very complex sounds and percussive effects.
3. Different rhythms and accents - Handpan features also include different rhythms. While playing this instrument, you can play with accents, tempo and dynamics, creating interesting, complex compositions.
4. Using your entire arm - Although the fingers are primarily used to extract sounds, many players also use their entire hands to create different keys and percussion effects.
5. Chord techniques - Using different fingers to hit individual "hands", you can get chords and rich harmonies. This technique is relatively easy to learn and allows you to play more complex melodies.

Order handpan love and peace of mind

Jeśli już wiesz, że chcesz rozpocząć swoją przygodę z handpanem lub poszerzyć kolekcję, warto rozważyć zakup własnego instrumentu. W Miłość i Spokój, znajdziesz wyłącznie ręcznie robione handpany, wykonywane na indywidualne zamówienie. Każdy instrument powstaje z dbałością o najwyższą jakość, precyzję strojenia i estetykę wykonania – możesz wybrać liczbę nut, skalę, strój oraz kolor instrumentu, by stworzyć własny, unikalny handpan. Zakup online jest wygodny i bezpieczny – zapewniamy szczegółowe opisy produktów, fachowe doradztwo oraz kompleksowe wsparcie na każdym etapie realizacji zamówienia. Zamawiając instrument handpan w Miłość i Spokój, masz pewność, że otrzymasz instrument, który spełni Twoje oczekiwania i pozwoli czerpać radość z muzyki na długie lata. Zrób pierwszy krok i zamów swój wymarzony handpan już dziś – niech jego niepowtarzalne brzmienie stanie się częścią Twojego życia!

Resume

The Handpan is a unique musical instrument that has gained huge popularity due to its unique sound, versatility and unusual aesthetics. Its high-quality stainless steel construction and precisely machined "hands" allow you to extract harmonious, deep sounds that inspire both musicians and listeners. The variety of game techniques makes handpan a tool for both beginners and advanced artists.

Jeśli chcesz rozpocząć swoją przygodę z handpanem lub poszerzyć swoją kolekcję, warto odwiedzić profesjonalny sklep z handpanami – taki jak Miłość i Spokój. Znajdziesz tam projekty instrumentów w różnych skalach, akcesoria oraz fachowe doradztwo, które pomoże wybrać idealny model dopasowany do Twoich potrzeb.

Remember that the key to learning to play handpan is patience, experimenting with different techniques, and enjoying creating music. By choosing an instrument in our store, you get quality assurance and support at every stage of your musical journey.