The handpan, a relatively recent musical invention, has captured the imagination of musicians and enthusiasts across the globe. Originating in the early 2000s, the handpan is a steel drum played with the hands, producing a warm, resonant sound. Each handpan is tuned to a specific scale, often inspired by the unique qualities of various cultural music traditions. This article delves into how different cultural music traditions have influenced the creation and tuning of handpan scales.
The Genesis of the Handpan
The handpan’s journey began when Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer of PANArt, a Swiss company, created the first Hang drum in 2000. Drawing inspiration from the Caribbean steel drum, Indian ghatam, and other percussive instruments, they sought to combine melody and rhythm in a single instrument. This innovative approach led to the handpan, an instrument that can produce rich, harmonic sounds unachievable by other percussive instruments alone.
Influence of Indian Music
Indian music, with its intricate scales and ragas, has a long history and deep cultural significance. Many handpan scales draw inspiration from India’s classical music, specifically the ragas which are melodic frameworks for improvisation akin to scales in Western music.
Ragas are designed to evoke specific emotions and times of the day or even particular seasons. Similarly, handpan makers often tune their instruments to scales that mirror the intricate ragas of Hindustani and Carnatic music. For instance, the Kirvani scale, reminiscent of India’s Kirwani raga, features prominently in many handpans. The minor scale evokes feelings of devotion and longing, characteristic of its Indian counterpart.
African Rhythms and Melodies
African music, with its polyrhythms and unique melodic structures, has a substantial influence on handpan scales. Traditional African music focuses on intricate rhythms and often employs pentatonic scales, which are five-note scales distinctively different from the western seven-note scales.
Handpans inspired by African traditions utilize these pentatonic scales to create instruments that evoke the essence of African melodies. These scales are often simple yet profoundly complex in their ability to produce a variety of moods and atmospheres. The pentatonic scales can be heard in handpans that bear names like Akebono, and Pygmy, drawing directly from African musical frameworks.
European and Western Influences
Western musical traditions also leave a mark on handpan tuning. The scales familiar to Western ears, like the major and minor scales, find their way into many handpans. Nonetheless, European folk music and classical music also influence handpan makers.
Modes such as the Dorian and Mixolydian are popular choices. These modes, integral to much of Western folk music through centuries, evoke a timeless feeling that is both haunting and uplifting. The Celtic scale, for example, is based on the folk music of Scotland and Ireland, bringing an ancient yet wholly fresh sound to the modern handpan.
The Middle Eastern Touch
Middle Eastern music, with its microtonal scales and rich maqam system, immensely influences handpan music. The maqams, akin to scales but with specific rules for progression and mood, provide a deeply emotional and nuanced approach to music.
Handpan makers find inspiration in the Arabic maqam system, resulting in scales like Hijaz that recall the vibrant, evocative qualities of Middle Eastern music. These scales often incorporate quarter tones, creating an exotic, otherworldly sound that deeply resonates with listeners.
Asian Influences
Asian music, particularly from Japan and China, offers unique scales that find their way into handpan tuning. The Japanese Akebono and In Sen scales, for instance, influence handpan designs significantly.
These scales, characterized by a five-note structure, create a feeling of serenity and calm, often used in traditional Japanese music for meditation and relaxation. The scales mimic the pentatonic scales employed in Asian musical traditions, reflecting their minimalist yet profoundly peaceful qualities.
The Creation of New Scales
The blending of different cultural influences has also led to the creation of entirely new scales. Handpan makers, in their quest for unique sounds, often experiment by combining elements from various traditions, creating hybrid scales that defy categorizations.
Scales like Kurd or Integral, which don’t directly stem from one particular tradition but rather combine elements from multiple cultures, showcase the handpan’s versatile nature. These new scales enable musicians to explore a vast array of emotional landscapes, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with this unique instrument.
Conclusion
The handpan stands as a testament to the influence of cultural music traditions on contemporary musical innovation. By borrowing and blending scales from a myriad of global traditions, the handpan becomes more than just an instrument; it transforms into a bridge connecting diverse musical worlds. This cross-cultural polling enriches the music it produces, making it resonate on a deeper, more universal level. Indeed, the handpan signifies a global symphony where each note can tell a thousand historical stories yet forge new ones in the hands of today’s musicians.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can anyone learn to play the handpan?
Yes, anyone can learn to play the handpan. Its intuitive layout makes it accessible to beginners, although mastering it can take time and practice. Many find its tactile and responsive nature conducive to creating music even without prior training.
2. Are handpans expensive?
Handpans can be quite expensive due to the craftsmanship and tuning processes involved in their creation. Prices can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. However, the investment is often seen as worthwhile by enthusiasts and musicians.
3. Do handpans come in different sizes?
Yes, handpans come in various sizes. The size can affect the pitch and resonance, with larger handpans tending to produce deeper, more resonant tones, and smaller ones producing higher-pitched sounds.
4. How are handpans tuned?
Handpans are tuned by skilled artisans who hammer the steel surface to various thicknesses and tensions, creating notes that resonate at specific frequencies when struck. The tuning process is complex and requires a good ear and precise craftsmanship.
5. Can handpans be re-tuned if they go out of tune?
Yes, handpans can be re-tuned if they go out of tune. However, re-tuning requires the skills of a professional tuner to ensure the instrument’s sound quality is maintained. It’s essential to handle handpans carefully to avoid situations that could cause them to go out of tune.
