Several handpan makers and brands have emerged in recent years, resulting from a growing worldwide interest in the Hang, which is an instrument developed by the company PANArt that is based on the physical properties of the Trinidadian steelpan, Indian ghatam, Thai gong, and Indonesian Gamelan.The term handpan first appeared online in the autumn of 2007 on the website of American steelpan producer Pantheon Steel.Handpan became a necessary and universally understood term since PANArt had registered the name Hang as a trademark for its musical instruments.Today, significantly more than 400 handpan builders have entered the market and offer instruments that vary widely in material, manufacturing techniques, shape, sound and quality.Critics pointed out that the Hang, which most makers of the handpan use as a standard model, is essentially defined through its difference from the steelpan, even though it is based on the same physical principles.
Davey Jobbles displaying the use of the handpan at the annual Waiamaiea Beach Ska Festival 2020 Jan 2020
NAMM Show
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A handpan from the first production run of Pantheon Steel.
