ABOUT THIS SITE:
The Hang (hung or hong) is a harmonic, responsive melodic metal percussion instrument born in 2000 in Bern, Switzerland. The Hang's pedigree is the Steel Pan of Trinidad popular in Europe. Through research and 20 years experience as Steel Pan makers they had devloped processes of working with sheet metal to improve sound and pitch retention. Experiments with Bells, Cymbals and Gamelans led to a new family of instruments called PANG. A Ghatam player inspired the Hang makers to delvelop some Steel Pan shells into a steel drum responsive to being played with the hands. The name "hang" refers to "hand" in the Bern dialect. Hence the Hang began.
Protoypes, improvements and passionate research followed to today.The hang maker's company PANArt is now dedicated solely to the hang. There are only two hang makers, Sabina Schärer and Felix Rohner, are the two people providing hanghang (plural) to the numerous people wanting one. They are made by hand and each one is expertly tuned. The process of acquiring a hang requires some patience or a very large amount of money on EBay. A personal letter or fax requesting a hang is currently the way to initiate the process. Go to www.hangblog.org for the information.
My name is Randy Granger. I’m a full-time musician and recording artist. National Public Radio's All Things Considered ran a profile on my music, specifically the Hang, for their wonderful “Sound Clip” (click it to hear the story) series in June 2007. (Unfortunately someone since removed the Wikipedia entry for that story) Since, and before, then I receive daily inquiries from people wanting to know where they can find a hang . Some are quite desperate and think they are being kept out of the process. I empathize. I do not have any special access to anyone involved with acquiring a hang Take the time to do your research with EBay hang sales as there have been quite a few False auctions. Make the seller play the Hang for you live over the phone or no deal. Join the hang-music forum and investigate the serial number, the seller etc. Be smart or be out a lot of money.
Those of us who do own a Hang understand the magic spell all too well. Be patient and nice and don’t jump to conclusions. The links on this page are other hangthusiasts who have assembled and developed information so read them well. Support the artists who are recording the hang on CDBaby, iTunes, and the HangCD's on this site. Join a group, myspace.com, forums and reach out to other hangthusiasts. Tons of videos are on google, Youtube and myspace. esires. I respect the amazing instruments the hanghaus makes and all the research, hard work, passion and love that goes into each one. I am grateful that I was able to find hang before it became so complex to own one. I use my hang every day in every way and it makes people happy. It is my tool for creativity and expression. But like I always tell my students: “When you can express yourself on a washboard you are a musician. It’s not the instrument—it’s the inspiration and passion behind it.” Best of success in your Hang quest.
As far as I know you must still write or fax a personal letter requesting a Hang and wait very patiently for a response. As of February 2008 from my understanding there is only one scale being made so it is no longer necessary to travel to Bern but may also be shipped to new owners. This "Integral" Hang has more oval shaped tone feilds (notes) which are D3 Ding, and A3, Bb3, C4, D4, E4, F4, and A4 for the remaining surface notes. The surface is laquered and some changes have been made. I hope this reduces the high propensity to tarnish that I have encountered with the 2nd generation Hang as well as the surface noice. In June many of us began to receive letters from the Hanghaus that all the 2008 Integral Hang had homes and that the "last" of the Integral Hang would be made in 2009. Cryptic. It seems they will take a longer respite to research and develop instruments. I feel for the Hang makers. They obviously had no idea their Hang would go viral. They must feel an immense pressure to supply the demand. The letter said they will keep requests and letters on file so if there is a new edition. Please be patient and don't vent on the Hang makers, web masters, musicians etc. It is counterproductive. Plus it just isn't very nice.
Realize again that there are only two people making these HangHang and each one is a creation unto itself. Will the making of only one scale lead a different manufacturing and distribution process? I do not know and hesitate to speculate. Hang are still being sold on EBay so watch there if you can afford it. There is much talk about Pantheon Steel's "Halo" drum though I have yet to see one. There is the "Hapi," the "Hank," "Propane" drum etc. Where there is a demand a supply will usually follow.
Explore the links here and listen to a HangBox, watch vidoes, join a forum, read what others are doing with hangs, share your quests or just learm more about the Hang. If you would like to explore how you acquire a Hang please read the information at www.hangblog.org it usually has the most current news.
One last thing. Please buy our CD's. ;-)
