Blurring the lines between new and ancient music, Samjjana (‘sum-ya-na’) brings together the Native American flute with the hang – percussion instrument of Switzerland. Actually it’s not a drum, the hang (‘haŋ’) is a steel disc played with the hands, and it is one of the newest instruments in the world today.

The ethereal sound that comes from it fits perfectly with the Native American flute. In this case it’s a drone flute, meaning it is two flutes made as one, with the opposite side playing a single fixed note. So enjoy the hang and listen for the harmony produced by the extra sound chamber on the flute, then Click Here to check out another wind instrument.

When it comes to music, surely it is the hang that is the greatest invention of the century to date. Being that there are only a few thousand of these lap-sized metal discs making their way around the world, it is always remarkable seeing them in the hands of two quality musicians at once. Not that the hang isn’t amazing by itself, but with twice as many hands for melody and rhythm, the variety is just that much greater.

After the video, Click Here to check out what the hang sounds like next to the Native American flute as played by Jeff B

Another video of Dante Bucci on the hang, the steel hand drum of Switzerland. If you are at all familiar with the hang, you know all about how difficult it is to get your hands on one of these.

Being only a few years old, the hang is still made by just the two original creators, and as of the date of posting, they have taken a break from production for an indefinite period of time. With only a few thousand in existence, good luck coming across one! Maybe someday…

Until then, enjoy the amazing music of the hang in the video below, then Click Here to check out another unique music instrument.

Another sort of thumb piano, the sansula is a percussion instrument very similar to the kalimba and mbira. What makes the sansula unique is that the keys are set on a small frame drum, which may be lifted to alter the sound and provide a special effect.

In this video, the guitar accompanies the sansula for quite the improv. After viewing, Click Here to check out another unique percussion instrument.

Like all hand drums, the most important part of playing the doumbek is rhythm, but what makes this goblet drum different from most other hand drums is that it is played less with the hand and more with the fingertips, allowing for more intricate rhythms and a wider range of sounds.

What we have here is an entertaining performance of the the doumbek that is as comical as it is masterful. After watching the video, Click Here to check out another unique percussion instrument.

For decades the djembe has been one of the most popular hand drums world wide. Known for playing traditional African rhythms, the djembe is often the primary instrument in a drum circle. In this case, at least a dozen of these hand drums are gathered around to play Fanga.

After the video, Click Here to check out the doumbek, an Arabic hand drum.

One hang is not enough for Manu Delago, check out this solo where he uses three different tunings of hang to construct one amazing bit of percussion music!

After this video, click here and check out Dante Bucci on the hang.

Thumb pianos such as the kalimba are popular throughout Africa, as Hugh Tracey discovered on his journeys. Inspired by these instruments he modified the instrument and introduced his version to the western world.

After the video, Click Here and see another original music instrument.

Just one in a long line of mbira-inspired instruments, the array mbira is a western take on an ancient instrument.

Sacred music instrument of Zimbabwe, the mbira is frequently played at religious ceremonies and social gatherings.  The instrument is common all throughout Africa, and recently western versions have been produced, namely the kalimba and specifically the Hugh Tracey.

After the video, Click Here and check out the kalimba, close cousin of the mbira.

The story of the hang is quite an exceptional one.

First off, we’ll leave it to your discretion, but I think it’s safe to say that the hang is one of the most entertaining and creative instruments ever made.  Secondly, the hang is produced just by the 2 original inventors, so simply coming across one is itself a great feat that involves months of waiting, a trip to Switzerland, and thousands of dollars cash.

Because of this, several hang-inspired alternatives have hit the market, among them the HAPI resting on my couch, and the tongue drums made in the backyard… melodic percussion instruments are the greatest!

After watching the video, Click Here to check out the HAPI.