I wasn’t aware of this, but it makes total sense. People are still inventing new instruments. This one in particular is called a Hang, commonly referred to as a “Hang Drum” because it is played percussively with your fingertips. It shares many of the same tonal and technical qualities as a steel drum however has a much warmer tone and doesn’t require mallets to play it.

It was actually invented in 2000 in Switzerland by a couple of dudes by the name of Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer. They are still the only ones in the world who make them. Just to show it is a new instrument, it wasn’t until 2007 when they standardized the scale the Hang Drum uses. It used to have any number of scales such as the Aeolian, Melog, and other interesting scales from cultures around the world. Now it uses the following notes: D3, A3, Bb3, C4, D4, E4, F4, A4. The D is the central note, and is also the only note that is doubled.

I first heard of the Hang via this video which was posted on Digg, and now I will share it with you. It has a real gorgeous sound… probably helped out by the fact that the performer, Manu Delgado is very proficient at the instrument. Enjoy!

More info at Wikipedia