The Hang is a contemporary musical instrument, often referred to as a “sound-sculpture”. It was created by two former Steelpan makers; Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer, who are owners of a small company called PANArt in Bern, Switzerland. The Hang was first introduced to the world around the year 2000.  

The Hang is made from a steel-based alloy called Pang, a patented material developed by the instrument makers themselves. This material is partly what gives their instruments such a captivating sound with the slightest effort necessary. The non-linear, somewhat cosmic playing field, the richness of tone, the unprecedented versatility of playing options and the dynamic response to the slightest touch has caught the attention of the masses, with YouTube videos of a few early Hang players going viral and demand for the instruments running high. 

PANArt never pursued mass-distribution for the Hang and instead kept their attention on the evolution of their art form, the Pang material, and their commitment to maintaining freedom from the trappings of commercializing their instruments. However, the world would not sit still and be denied their contribution. The Hang has sparked a renaissance in musical instrument design, with countless new instrument makers following the inspiration that first came to Felix and Sabina. These instruments have been dubbed as “Handpans”. A culture has been building and a new sound and style of play has been unfolding. Never before has an instrument had such an immediate and profound effect on the music landscape. It all started in Bern, Switzerland at the hands of Felix and Sabina. 
  
PANArt continued to develop more instruments; most notably a family of instruments meant to be played together with others...most notably the Gubal, the Hang Balu, the Gudu, the Godo and Hang Gu.  There are dozens of videos that feature my playing the Hang...CLICK HERE for some examples...and for a quick performance/demonstration of my playing many of the PANArt Instruments, CLICK HERE