Hang Drum Solo
Have you ever seen or heard the hang drum? I’m no expert on this instrument. In fact this is the first time I’ve seen it. I’ve just been thinking about the variety of instruments that you bang, blow, pluck, tap, hammer, etc. This is called a ‘hang drum’. As you can see, it is a very melodic drum.
The expert hang drummer featured in this video is Manu Delago.
The hang drum comes from Switzerland. It is similar to the steel drums often associated with Caribbean Island music, but is lighter; more responsive to being played by hand, rather than a mallet. Hang means hand - from the Germanic word for hand. This modern instrument was developed very recently (@ 2000) with acoustic and metallurgical innovations — that created a very melodious percussive instrument.
You can hit it with your hands; tap it with your fingers; even make it sing by rubbing gently, similar to playing crystal drinking glasses.
Tags: melody, music, percussion, video