Alan Tower
Compositions listed by most recently written.
Pygmy - based on a Virgina Wolf Quote C minor Pentatonic with b7
This Idea can Save The Planet
Pygmy with an "F" note on 2nd Hang
Sea of Emotion
Pygmy C minor Pentatonic with b7 this Pygmy sings more than any other I have played
WaterLight
D Harmonic minor - on the bottom of a pool looking up at the light coming through moving water -----------------First attempt at a trance feel
Body Language
5th Mode of D Harmonic minor (ABbC#DEFGA) Dome low D Nice groove and very melodic
Compassion
D Harmonic Minor - Will end up as a duo Hang Piece
Comfortable with Uncertainty
D
Harmonic minor
(DEFGABbC#D) Dome A - Slow with focus on instrumental tone and melody
A Sweet Situation
D Harmonic minor - This is my first Hang composition, has a strong melody
For more info, visit www.alantower.net or www.octavealliance.org
Hang
A review by a friend Ian Dogole about the Hang
JAZZ TIMES Magazine May 2003
The Hang (pronounced "hung"), manufactured by PANArt of Berne,
Switzerland, is a revolutionary hybrid instrument and a stellar addition
to the world of melodic percussion. The instrument, which look like a
flying saucer, resulted of many years of research on the steel pan and
various percussion instruments from around the globe. Comprised of hardened
special metal (1 mm thick), which ensured long-lasting stability of the
tone, the 21-inch wide, 9 1û2 -inch high Hang weighs just over 8 pounds;
it's easily portable and quite durable.
The Hang is designed to capture the flavour of a steel pan, with a centrally
placed knobbed protrusion, known as the "ding" that serves as
a low tone, surrounded by eight note fields that form the instrument`s
scale. The bottom side consist of hand-sized opening that produces a deep-sounding
bass tone with up to an octave variation. The sonic characteristics of
the bottom are reminiscent of two of the well-known clay pot instruments,
the udu (Nigeria) and ghatam (India). What is most wonderful about the
Hang is the wide variety of tone that can be produced all over the instrument,
largely dependent on what part of the hand is used ("hang" is
"hand" in the Bernese dialect). The drum is usually played in
the lap as the musician sits cross-legged, or the instrument can be placed
on a stand.
The Hang I received from PANArt was customized so that I could have a
scale of E,F,G,Ab,A,B,C,D with a low A, thus giving me both the minor
and major thirds in the key of E. Depending on where I place the instrument,
I can prioritize specific notes in the scale tp capture a distinct mood.
The great news is that PANArt can customize the Hang`s eight notes and
center pitch to the specifications of each player, so make sure to carefully
plan which notes you want before ordering.
Having performed numerous times in concerts with the Hang, I can attest
that it is the one instrument that audiences always remember. This extraordinary
instrument offers such a stunning blend of sounds and melodic possibilities
that it`s only a matter of time before the Hang catches the attention
of musicians and audiences wordwide.
Ian Dogole
Ian
Dogole is a California-based percussionist.
His latest CD is Night Harvest (Global Fusion).
Click here to visit his site.