I’m not normally too keen on percussion. But the Hang drum’s unique range of sound and thick atmosphere won me over immediately. When I heard The World’s story on it, I had to pull my car over so that I wouldn’t crash from distraction. The story of the Hang gives an intriguing look into people’s complex relationship to music, and how music is constantly growing. If you have heard any albums with this instrument, let me know about them! The full story on the Hang, with its music, can be heard here (then click the play arrow).

Thanks Ben.  Very cool! 

Found some players on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQXn5ba0aT8

I’d love to know more about the construction and tuning.

I read or heard about the hang a while back,  but had forgotten all about it.  It’s a really intriguing instrument:  from its inception, to the sound, to its future—tightly controlled by the couple who designed it and make each one of them,  about 100 a year.  There had been a three year waiting list,  but at the moment they aren’t taking any new orders,  and are planning to take some time off from making them to tinker with the design, now in it’s third reengineering.

The instrument has a bit of a cult following,  with lots of website references,  and a detailed Wikkipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hang_(musical_instrument)  There are even a few hits on I-tunes,  and if I can figure out why my password on I-tunes is working,  I hope to have a hang instrumental to start the Folk Show on Saturday at 6 am.

I hope to have a hang instrumental to start the Folk Show on Saturday at 6 am.

Hah, i may just have to get up early!