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In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating world of handpans. We'll also uncover their origins from Caribbean steel drums over Hang drums to the variety of modern handpans and tongue drums. Furthermore, you'll discover various playing styles for different effects and learn how handpans compare with similar instruments like steel drums and tongue drums. Additionally, we will discuss the art of crafting these beautiful instruments using traditional manufacturing methods alongside modern techniques.

Here are all the festival dates for jaw harp devotees at a glance. In 2023, jaw harp festivals will take place in Italy, Germany, Hungary, the USA, Norway, Estonia and France. Although Neptune Chapotin's World Mouth Harp Festival in Goa, India, is unfortunately taking a longer break for the time being, the events in other countries (despite Corona) are fortunately stable: the Ancient Trance Festival, the Marranzano World Fest, Global Vibes, and many more.

Since many years the Japanese busker and multiinstrumentalist Byon Kay is touring China, Thailand, Japan, Australia and Europe. He uses a loopstation, mouth harps, nose flutes, thelevi rattles, overtone flutes and other effect instruments to amaze people and to make them dance. DAN MOI was talking to Byon Kay about his approach to play mouth harp.

Anyone who plays a Kalimba regularly will certainly have noticed that the instrument begins to sound "inharmonic" or "weird" over time. Then the moment has come when you ask yourself, "What's going on here and how can I bring it back to its original condition?" After reading this blog post, you'll have the know-how you need to make your Kalimba sound clean again.

The Daf's current appeal to international musicians is attributed to its deep historical and cultural roots. The Daf is a frame drum with a long history going back as far as the early dynastic period. It is one of the few instruments in the Middle East that is also played by women. Who is playing Daf today? What is the difference between the Daf and other frame drums? Is the Daf a women´s instrument? We take a closer look at this versatile drum.

One week at the Marranzano World Fest in Catania/Sicily This year, the team around the musician and ethnomusicologist Luca Recupero managed to organise another edition, the 12th. This year's festival motto: Exploring the boundaries between language and music. Impressions from one week in Catania ;)