(!) This post may now be out of date - but has been left published for archive purposes. It may still prove to be of interest, but some (or all) details may now be out of date (!)
The ‘Live-Metalart' HandPan is the creation of Japanese artist and sculpture, ‘Nobuya Yamaguchi’. Who, currently livng in Israel, is a graduate in sculpture of Tamagawa University, Tokyo, has a long history of creating all manner of everything from contemporary furniture, through to large functional stone sculptures for children's play areas. In addition to, of course, steel pan tuning.
The ‘Live-Metalart' HandPan is the creation of Japanese artist and sculpture, ‘Nobuya Yamaguchi’. Who, currently livng in Israel, is a graduate in sculpture of Tamagawa University, Tokyo, has a long history of creating all manner of everything from contemporary furniture, through to large functional stone sculptures for children's play areas. In addition to, of course, steel pan tuning.
And a recently released (at time of writing) series of YouTube videos demonstrating the Live-Metalart HandPan, performed by gifted percussionist ‘Yonatan Bar Rashi’ (and now by Nobuya himself), have caused some serious excitement within the HandPan ‘scene’.
Believed to cost around $1600, one of the most interesting features of the LIve-Metalart HandPan is the fact that the top and bottom of the HandPan are connected using a bolting mechanism, rather than being either glued, or welded, as most other HandPan are. Which, as Nobuya Yamaguchi states, allows for easier retuning of the pan.
In terms of size the Live-Metalart HandPan are on the larger side, believed to be of a similar size to the Bali Steel pan. Are not nitrided, and require occasional treatment (by the player) to prevent corrosion. And at the time of writing Nobuya’s sound-sculpture are believed to have a waiting list of around four months.
Overall, the Live-Metalart HandPan sound very pleasing to the ear, projecting deliciously deep, and dark tones. And when taking into account that the videos currently available, can be considered to be of prototypes, It seems hopeful that in time this HandPan could become an instrument to rival the other big names in Handpan.
For more information, you can contact Nobuya Yamaguchi via his website: HERE. Or alternatively, to keep up-to-date with the latest developments, you can subscribe to Nobuya's YouTube channel: HERE.
Believed to cost around $1600, one of the most interesting features of the LIve-Metalart HandPan is the fact that the top and bottom of the HandPan are connected using a bolting mechanism, rather than being either glued, or welded, as most other HandPan are. Which, as Nobuya Yamaguchi states, allows for easier retuning of the pan.
In terms of size the Live-Metalart HandPan are on the larger side, believed to be of a similar size to the Bali Steel pan. Are not nitrided, and require occasional treatment (by the player) to prevent corrosion. And at the time of writing Nobuya’s sound-sculpture are believed to have a waiting list of around four months.
Overall, the Live-Metalart HandPan sound very pleasing to the ear, projecting deliciously deep, and dark tones. And when taking into account that the videos currently available, can be considered to be of prototypes, It seems hopeful that in time this HandPan could become an instrument to rival the other big names in Handpan.
For more information, you can contact Nobuya Yamaguchi via his website: HERE. Or alternatively, to keep up-to-date with the latest developments, you can subscribe to Nobuya's YouTube channel: HERE.
