Hang

[Tony Hardie-Bick]

On 18/11/10 17:12, K9 Kai Niggemann wrote:
> There was an article in the paper recently about the two makers.

Got a link?

> You know that if you want one, you have to write a letter (handwritten,
> preferably) and apply? Then if you are selected, you can choose your own,
> because you have to travel to Bern to pick one up. You have to sign a
> contract with the makers that allows them first rights to buy it back from
> you, in case you ever want to sell it (that way they are trying to prevent
> them from showing up on ebay for 5000 EUR...
>
> You are not supposed to play it in a downtown pedestrian zone. Not play with
> musical notation, not play on stage.
>
> They seem very strict with what they would like to see (or hear) people do
> with their creations. They warn you too not to overdo it with the Hang. They
> say you can become addicted.

That's... truly fascinating. The instrument itself actually makes such 
philosophy appear far less crazy than in another context. I'd like to know more 
about why they feel this way about their creation.

I also wonder about imitations. I know there's some serious metallurgy involved, 
without which the instrument will not be as good.

Given the confusion many have about "which is good" in musical instruments, I 
have a lot of respect for anyone who considers sound and the genesis of a 
certain music more important than the personal advantages that can arise from 
this kind of situation.

Tony (HB)