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FAQ'S
Quick answers to frequently asked questions to facilitate your experience.
Essential information about cookware
Handpan, Tongue Drum
The Handpan is an acoustic musical instrument that resembles a steel drum. It is played by striking the various surfaces of the handpan with the hands. It produces haunting and melodic sounds.
A typical Handpan generally has between 8 and 12 notes. However, the number of notes may vary depending on the specific model and design of the instrument.
The Handpan are made from steel plates that are cut and shaped into domes. The notes are then hammered or carved into the surface to create the different tones. The manufacturing process is complex and requires considerable expertise.
To play the Handpan, you use your hands to gently strike the surfaces of the Handpan. Each note produces a distinct sound, and by combining the different notes, relaxing melodies and rhythms can be created.
The Tongue Drum is a steel percussion instrument similar to the Handpan. However, instead of having a single surface, the Tongue Drum has several metal tabs that produce different notes when struck.
Hands, mallets or even chopsticks can be used to play the Tongue Drum. By gently striking the metal tabs, melodious and soothing sounds can be created. Some Tongue Drums also have resonant surfaces, which add an extra dimension to the sound.
The Tongue Drum is made of metal or wood. The process includes cutting the tabs into the surface, hand tuning each tab to produce accurate notes, then finishing to smooth and protect the instrument. Finally, the instrument is tested to ensure its sound quality before being released to the market.
The main difference lies in structure and sound. Handpans generally have a single surface with notes arranged in a circular pattern, while Tongue Drums have several metal tabs. The sound produced by a Handpan is often richer and more complex, while that of a Tongue Drum is clearer and more distinct.
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Frequencies and notes in Hertz
Hertz frequencies commonly used in a handpan vary from one manufacturer to another and from one model to another. However, generally the frequencies of the fundamental notes are between 100 Hz and 500 Hz.
Yes, some manufacturers and specialized tuners offer custom tuning services for handpans. This allows musicians to choose specific Hertz frequencies for each note, which can make it easier to adapt the instrument to specific performance styles or musical compositions.
The notes of a handpan are tuned by adjusting the size, thickness, and tension of different areas of the handpan. Manufacturers use specific techniques to achieve the desired Hertz frequencies for each note.
The exact Hertz frequencies of your handpan can be obtained by using an electronic tuner or tuning application to measure the vibrations and frequencies of each note. Some manufacturers also provide information on Hertz frequencies in the instrument specifications.
Most traditional drums generally have between 8 and 10 notes. However, some newer models may have more notes, up to 12 or more.
The notes of a Handpan are generally arranged in a circular pattern. The fundamental note is generally in the center, and the other notes are arranged around it, forming a musical scale. The specific arrangement of notes may vary depending on the model and design of the instrument.
Handpans are often tuned in specific musical scales to create a harmonious sound. Some popular scales include the pentatonic scale, the diatonic scale, the chromatic scale, the major or minor scale, and many others. Each scale offers unique combinations of notes.
Yes, it is possible to play different pitches and chords on a handpan using different combinations of notes. By exploring finger positions and sequences, players can create chords, harmonic progressions and various melodies on the instrument.