Hang (musical instrument)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A hang (pronounced 'hung' or 'hong') is a melodious percussive musical instrument, similar to a steel drum. It uses many of the same physical principles to operate. However, since it is struck with the fingers, the sound is generally much softer than a steel drum, and can be played in many ways to produce a large variety of sounds.
The instrument is also frequently called a hang drum, because of the nature in which it is played, its relation to the steel drum, and its popularity with hand drummers.
The hang is typically played resting on the players' lap, and can also be played on a stand. It was the result of many years of research on the steelpan and the study of the diverse collection of instruments from around the world, such as gongs, gamelan, ghatam, drums, bells, etc. Udu-like sounds can be produced with the air resonance within the clamped shallow shells, with the notes sounding like bells or harmonically tuned steelpans.
The inner note on the bottom dome is the bass note, and when played in a dampened way allows change in pitch like a talking drum. Seven to nine notes are tuned harmonically around a central deep note. The hemispheres are hardened by a process known as gas-nitriding.
The hang made its debut at Musikmesse Frankfurt in 2001. Its design is attributed to the instrument builders Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer.
Its name comes from the Berne dialect word for hand.
 |
This article relating to musical instruments is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
[edit] External links
- Mark Roach, New Zealand Hang Drum Mark Roach, Sounds and videos of the Hang being played.
- Mark Roach, Hang Drum solo Mark Roach, Hang solo.
- Oddmusic article - Includes pictures, video and sound samples.
