The traditional hand pan is a steel tongue drum that is struck with the hands. It has a unique sound that is comparable to a drum but with a more melodic quality. The handpan has become increasingly popular in recent years, but it is not the only instrument of its kind.
Several other steel tongue drums on the market are similar in design and function to the hand pan. These drums are often made from different materials and have different sounding tones. They can be played with the hands or with other instruments.
In this article, we will explore five ethnically diverse hand pan alternatives that will soothe your soul. Each of these drums has its own unique features that make it special. We hope that you find the perfect one for you!
What is a hand pan?
A hand pan is a stand-alone musical instrument that consists of a deep-dish steel frame with several tuned tone fields built into its underside. The frame of the instrument is played vertically and is typically struck with the hands to produce a unique, melodic sound. The instrument has gained increasing popularity in recent years due to its versatility and distinct sound. The steel frame of the hand pan is usually made of stainless steel that is polished to a high shine. The number of tone fields will vary depending on the design of the hand pan but typically ranges between eight and eleven. These steel tone fields are stretched with high-tension rods, which are also made of stainless steel. The sound produced by the ringing of the tone fields is similar to that of a drum but with a more melodic quality.
Steel tongue drums are similar to hand pans in that they are both stand-alone instruments that are played with the hands. But unlike the hand pan, steel tongue drums are made from a single piece of metal and don’t have any tone fields or tension rods. The metal is curved and folded into a shallow, bowl-like shape with several tuned tongues. When the tongues are struck, they produce a unique, ringing sound. These drums come in a variety of sizes and can be made from different metals, such as different kinds of stainless steel, brass, and copper. They can also be tuned manually, or with tuned pegs, in a variety of scales and tunings. Steel tongue drums produce a mellow, droning sound that is perfect for meditative purposes. They are an excellent ethnically diverse alternative to the hand pan.
Wooden tongue drums are similar to steel tongue drums in many respects. They are also shallow, bowl-like instruments made from a single piece of wood with several tuned tongues. The difference is in the type of sound they produce. Wooden tongue drums produce a more subdued, wooden sound compared to the ringing produced by steel tongue drums. Wooden tongue drums can be made from any type of wood, such as maple, cherry, oak, or poplar. They are handcrafted and can be tuned manually, or with pegs. Wooden tongue drums are typically used for more subtle music styles, such as ambient and downtempo. They are a great ethnically diverse alternative to the hand pan for creating relaxing music and meditation.
Lithophone
A lithophone is an ancient musical instrument made from rocks and stones instead of metal or wood. It is considered a percussion instrument because it is struck by hand to produce sound. The stones are cut, shaped, and tuned to create a unique and beautiful sound. These instruments were developed in various parts of the world and are still in use today. They vary in size, shape, and number of stones used to make the instrument. The sound of a lithophone is very distinct and is known to have a calming effect. For those looking for an ethnically diverse alternative to the hand pan, a lithophone is a great option.
Interlocking hand pans
Interlocking hand pans are similar to traditional hand pans in that they are made of metal and have tone fields. The difference is that instead of being a single instrument, interlocking hand pans are two or more hand pans that are connected in such a way that they can be played together or independently. The idea behind interlocking hand pans is that one musician can play two or more different instruments at the same time, creating a unique soundscape. This idea has been adopted by many modern musicians looking for an innovative way to explore different sounds. Interlocking hand pans offer an ethnically diverse alternative to traditional hand pans and can add a layer of creativity to any musical performance.
To wrap things up
The hand pan is a beautiful instrument that has gained popularity in recent years. But the hand pan isn’t the only instrument of its kind. Several ethnically diverse hand pan alternatives can bring a unique sound to your music. Steel tongue drums, wooden tongue drums, lithophone, and interlocking hand pans all offer something different and unique. We hope you find the perfect instrument for your sound!
