Articles

If you've been paying attention, you've seen handpans explode in popularity in recent years. They can be heard on commercials, movie soundtracks and it seems like on just about every NPR podcast. The handpan is a relatively modern instrument, and you may be surprised when you find out where it was invented! The handpan is related to the steelpan (though it is a concave version of this instrument). It is sometimes also referred to as the Hang™ ... this latter name may ring a bell, thanks to Hang Massive – the duo who helped popularize this ethereal and wonderful instrument.  The handpan is constructed...

On this page you will find many tune books that you can download PDFs for free. Contents below: Richard Geisler International Tunebooks Cecil Sharp English Country Dance Tunebooks Mendocino English Country Dance Tunebook Mendocino English Country Dance Harmony Tunebook Mickie & Elizabeth Zekley Original Tunes Tunebook Richard Geisler Dance & Tunebooks Richard Geisler was an innovator, he formed new groups, found venues for performing, rearranged music to suit the ensembles. He was a good player of recorder and other instruments and was very encouraging to anyone who expressed an interest in playing. He was involved the Society for Creative Anachronism....

Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle by David Brown   The Hardingfele, or Hardanger Fiddle, is a special member of the violin family and is considered the national instrument of Norway. Outwardly the Hardingfele looks like a particularly ornate violin, with its inlays and carvings and designs; upon closer examination one sees more crucial differences, notably the additional sympathetic strings under the main playing strings. The strings are different, softer than the modern orchestral violin strings, and the bridge is rather flatter, since the playing style is based on double stops and open string drones. Many tunings are used, and regular GDAE violin...

All great art begins with imitation. - Jean Luc-Goddard   In 1985 fusion or non-fusion of eastern and western musical elements may not have yet altered the course of musical history, but a musical partnership between East and West certainly continues to flourish, and the following statements illustrate this across-the-world musical continuum and some of its various blendings. Chou Wen-chung cites the confucianist Record of Music to the effect that "The greatness in music lies not in perfection of artistry but in the attainment of te . . .'that by which things are what they are.'" In other words, the...