Suggestions for a Newcomer to the PANArt Hang?

It is an unusual instrument that I've managed to get called a PANArt Hang (sometimes a Hang Drum). It is based off of the Trinidad Steelpan but with a tuning that incorporates overtones into each tone field (note) and an overall convex structure that incorporates a resonant cavity.

Some info (and videos) here:

Http://www.GotHang.com

So, I managed to acquire one (after searching for six months) and I'm practicing without any background in drumming. It is such an unusual instrument that I'm not sure where I'd draw some lessons from as far as technique and practice. Tabla has been mentioned as a possible source for finger independence and strength. It seems a good foundation in rudiments would be called for, as well as working with a click/metronome from what I'm reading as far as overall advice.

Anyone have any experience with a Hang, or any suggestions on how I might practice/learn/improve my technique?

Thanks in advance!

it sounds a lot like steel drums, so if you could find a steel drum teacher, that may be your best bet.

you may be able to find some resources from the Hang Drum Community site

Thanks for the reply.

It may sound a bit like a steel drum, but one usually plays it with one's hands (no sticks or mallets), and the note layout is not chromatic, so I don't think it would translate well to be taught as a steel drum.

I've also looked at the forums at Hang-Music.com (http://www.hang-music.com/forum/), but there aren't many players with drumming experience, so I thought I'd ask folks here for their take on this unusual instrument.

yes, I've been wanting one of these for a while. What a fantastic instrument. I'll probably wait till they get more popular and the prices come down. I'm sure you've already checked out youtube but there are tons of amazing videos there. It seems like just getting used to the voices you have will be practice enough. Nice purchase.

Sadly, they've gotten more expensive and more difficult to acquire since they've gotten popular.

There are some hopeful rumblings of Hang-like instruments on the horizon though, so there may be a chance to get something like it soon. Also there's a guy who made metal tongue drum that he calls a Hank (Hang+Tank) that has a circular layout like a Hang and sounds nice. He's got instructions on how to make one on his site here:

http://www.ehhs.cmich.edu/~dhavlena/for-webpage-lp-hang.htm

Bump?

Anyway it seems that there's not much advice on this, so I'll just post what I've come across elsewhere to anyone who runs across this thread in the future:

Doumbek and Tabla have been indicated as good 'bridge' instruments to Hang playing, and it seems that Rudiments and general time keeping with a click or metronome also seem to be valuable suggestions to someone new to drumming who has managed to acquire a Hang.

Skip the tabla , go after a Doumbeck , Djembe , or Ashiko , or even a frame drum. Tabla are just too hard , if you want to learn to play tabla go for it....if you want to play a Hang don't start w/ a equally difficult/harder instrument.

So on another note , I'm totally getting one of those...just gotta find a Hangsmith into trading for an Ashiko.