Pantheon Halo Hijaz Prototype - Daniel Waples Venice 2009

I was lucky enough to meet up with the wonderful and generous Daniel Waples, PANArt Hang player and Hedgemonkey, in Venice CA. He got a chance to give my Pantheon Halo a spin, and what a spin!
Daniel is tremendously talented and had picked up the Halo for the first time a few minutes before I turned on the camera. Check him out here: HangInBalance.com/
While Pantheon Steel (PantheonSteel.com) officially offered a Halo model called a 'Hijaz', I wanted to be clear that this specific Halo is a prototype with a totally different tuning, both from a starting note perspective and also from an interval perspective. This one is a C based Hijaz scale, so it's sort of 'split in half' interval wise with the low note (G) being just above the 'middle' of the interval set. The notes are:
C - G,Ab, Bb, C,Db, E,F G

[@CrakShaft]

Wow, sounds like classical Spanish guitar playing. Daniel, your smile and song brought sunshine in this cold winter morning. Thanks, dude! Hope to catch your act some day.

[@MacMan282]

I really like this instrument. The sound is something else...

[@cdjmk1000]

@PlayHanghang THANK you !

[@angelo1962]

he's all the good musician you guys mention. + he's sooo cute!

[@PlayHanghang]

@JCFoltz - Pantheon did this specific Halo as a kind of test, so it was a prototype. Their new models are shaped slightly differently and have different scales. As I understand it the price is currently set at $1,800.00 US (including a soft bag).

[@Heavenly3lues]

Sounds awesome!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@hellobooom]

i saw this guy playing in london a couple years ago he was fantastic but i had no idea who he was, quite a talent

[@PlayHanghang]

@mougabo - Yes. It was an early model prototype that Pantheon did of a scale suggestion I made based on a C Hijaz pattern.

[@PlayHanghang]

@rogiermusic - To simply answer - Yes. Each of the Pantheon Halo creations has a 'set of notes' that could be called a 'scale'. In this case it the notes are set up based on a C Hijaz scale: C,Db, E,F, G,Ab, Bb, C I didn't have a good grasp of the integration of a scale with the Halo when I requested this prototype so I based it off the central 'bass' note instead of the first note in the circle.

[@Nicholas.Tsagkos]

AMAZING...MAGICAL MUSIC...I'VE NEVER SAW THAT AGAIN.

[@idgaff666]

Perfect sound for a massive attack track

[@EyevieWinter]

he is so nice! and looks sooooo handsome!

[@PlayHanghang]

@UnitedStatesOfSpange - My experience is that it is amazingly open, generous and kind. =)

[@bluebaydogg]

The cutest smile in the net :)

[@iqaat]

awesome player.

[@PlayHanghang]

@mougabo - Thanks! It's an odd expression of that 'scale' as the 'run' starts at the bass center note, and skips a bunch until it gets to that low G, then starts over halfway through the run around the circle of notes at C again.

[@katdinsky]

I sooo Love these. I really would love to learn how to play these and find a hang drum...

[@PlayHanghang]

@chachacharla - Most players/owners I know (myself included) try to make themselves available to folks for meet-ups and 'encounter sessions' to allow people to experience these creations. They are simple on the surface, but the proper touch and intuition are needed to coax out the best that is inside them.

[@PlayHanghang]

If you click on 'Show more' you'll see more detail including the scale of this Protoypte Hijaz Halo: C - G,Ab, Bb, C,Db, E,F, G It's a form of the Harmonic Minor.

[@PlayHanghang]

I think it was just a pattern he was comfortable with expressed in this funky Hijaz flavored scale. As I said, he'd never touched a Halo before I handed him mine.

[@PlayHanghang]

It was a happy accident (due to my lack of musical knowledge), and I've grown to really love it. =)

[@UnitedStatesOfSpange]

This guy is just incredible lol. I wonder what his minds like

[@PlayHanghang]

@Skaterfreak1215 - This specific one was a prototype and not offered by the makers (Pantheon Steel). They are making different 'tunings' nowadays.

[@PlayHanghang]

@TheChapin03 - No, I've not left the Los Angeles area, but Jeremy Arndt has a nice B centered Halo and is at times in the Michigan area.

[@PlayHanghang]

@TheWhat1111111111111 - PANArt is more a collaboration between two artists than a instrument shop. They have moved on and are continuing their explorations into the steel and the form. Their new creation is fascinating, but more suited for personal sonic exploration than busking and music making.

[@PlayHanghang]

This is one of the earliest versions/models and a prototype. They weren't happy with the cross harmonics in this specific layout and dont offer this model. Gentle arm twisting was needed to get it to me. =) There also is some 'settling' of the playing areas that is 'sweetening' the creation. Not to mention Daniel has an amazing touch and feel for harmonic steel and is able to work well with the Halo. To give you a sense of it, this is five minutes after he first encountered a Halo.

[@PlayHanghang]

@MusiChameleon Canon S2 IS. One of the best video/camera combos at the time and has stereo mics.

[@NapalmFlame]

Its a shame this scale is only a prototype, because I really like this one.

[@Roninlord25a]

he is skilled does not matter if he is playing the halo or hang

[@M4DD1GAN]

basically, none of you are worthy, they're doing something no one else can do and it's better than you!

[@jonasdubaere8999]

wtf :o this is amazing!!

[@nekhutsu]

Eargasm

[@DwayneBSapling]

Cool!

[@tubehal1]

nice wave!

[@beryan100]

I WANT!

[@PlayHanghang]

@dhani7165 - PantheonSteel is the website of the makers.

[@cdjmk1000]

from where i can get some hang drum? please reply me, tnx

[@nastoke24]

@PlayHanghang hey man i want on like his where do you get them?

[@PlayHanghang]

Just to be 100% clear: The video is of a Halo made by Pantheon Steel, not PANArt. Pantheon Steel has a website that you can research more about their offerings at PantheonSteel (dot com). PANArt made the Free Integral Hang (most recently) and (as I understand it) is not open to contact until Spring of next year, when they plan to debut their new creation. If you are interested in PANArt and the Hang you would be best served by visiting HangBlog (dot org) to read up on the current situation.

[@surferdudette19]

What the hell does he eat, maybe it's genetics and the sunlight but he looks so radiant

[@SuperGOODIS]

Where can i buy his skillz?

[@teh_blazerer]

BUT WHERE DO I BUY THAT INSTRUMENT

[@TheWhat1111111111111]

Hey this is amazing but y panart stops to make hangs

[@13leo25]

nice song and nice dreads

[@SnugglyStevie]

I have to say the Hang sounds superior.

[@TT-ht2gf]

How does someone dislike this?

[@digeiSemtex]

@PlayHanghang personal... sonic... exploration... gotta write that down :))

[@JohnDoeL337]

what;s the name of the song that Daniel's playing ? I'm crazy about it

[@populatr]

how much does one of these cost?

[@PlayHanghang]

@cdjmk1000 - First, this is not a PANArt hang but a Pantheon Halo prototype. For more information on the Halo go to the website for PanthenonSteel. Regarding the Hang, PANArt is no longer making what most folks have seen and want, they are making a sound sculpture called a Free Integral Hang, and they don't make enough for the demand so, sadly there's no easy answer to 'how to get one'. Go to the HangBlog. website to get more information about the creation and the situation.

[@staleks1982]

What is a scale of this Halo?

[@TheChapin03]

Have you ever been to Grand Rapids with your Halo?

[@PlayHanghang]

@SuperGOODIS - Literally everywhere, but the price kinda high in patience, listening, experience, and time. =)

[@0penyafaceup]

that would be awesome with 2 people tapping on it one high one low

[@rogiermusic]

Is this instrument tuned in one scale?

[@theoriginalbillholt]

@ashburnhouse Exotic. Interesting. When was the last time you evacuated your bowels, Grumpy?

[@chachachabizarre]

is there a way you can go to play one of these or similar instruments. since the price is high for most but accurate to the amount of skill used to create it ,perhaps those who have them can share the experience with others without everyone having to purchase one. i dont believe people should be able to acquire anything without first knowing the science of it but i would not object to a group of people sharing the knowledge as well as the instrument for people to try.

[@sk8rdavster]

nice dreads brother

[@mougabo]

@PlayHanghang nice scale tho.... i actually know the scale you are talking about.... just never heard it in an halo..... and of course hedge monkey is amazing. thanks for the vid

[@mougabo]

wait so this is a custom tuned halo?

[@Stateoftention]

omg he is my TJ and i am his Amal.

[@PlayHanghang]

Sadly that instrument is not made by Pantheon Steel at the moment. Their new scales are wonderful though.

[@EclecticFrittle]

This instrument makes Chuck Norris cry, hence, it is awesome

[@surferdudette19]

Lol.. that might be it! Thanks haha!!

[@kamilapardojana]

riko!

[@nastoke24]

oh ok thanks man i just found a website that provides them and everything hope there still legit.. i apreciate you replying man =)

[@CrakShaft]

Probably he's a vegetarian or a vegan, they tend to look damn amazing, all young and radiant like that...I have a vegetarian friend and she looks like a fairy princess even when she wakes up with a hangover :))

[@Intelligenkeit]

nice unstrument, never heard from before

[@wa91319]

これ叩きながら詩の朗読したらヤバそう。 I'd like him to playing this drum with sporken word! His words will ride on inner beat of himself.

[@filzwurm]

damn! that guy is HOT!

[@chachachabizarre]

actually i make it a point to live my life researching everything i incorporate into my daily practices in order not to be ignorant like so many others. If you dont know the concept at least if not the science of the world around you it leaves room for ignorance. I do not like leaving room for it. So yes what is wrong with the world today is people walking around using gps and electricity and running water and driving cars not knowing the history and science of it.

[@SanbaiSan]

If you live in the US, you will be far more likely to get this handpan (Pantheon Halo) then the PANart hang drum (in Switzerland). As far as I can tell, PANart looks down on street players and wants all their instruments to be "out of the public sphere" - they even dislike youtube videos and cds with music from their instruments. So yeah, I would support Pantheon with your money, since PANart has decided they are too elite and wonderful for the common player.

[@TheOldpeep89]

there HAD to be 1 dislike....

[@tobbse4ever]

@chachacharla you dont believe people should be able to acquire anything without knowing the science behind it?^^ so do you have a car, using electricity from nuclear power stations, using UMTS and GPS on your smartphone? only a few examples but what i mean is, that i doubt that you know the science behind everything you are using in your life ;)

[@DAN08234]

i looked that up on ebay 2000 bucks f that