| The Hang |
In the not-so-distant past two ingenious Swiss artists fused two lap-sized steel hemispheres into a structure that resembled a flying saucer. From there they sculpted an elaborate tuning matrix that became a springboard for creativity…igniting a renaissance in the world of musical instrument performance and design. Their instrument was called Hang (meaning “hand” in their language), and Matt Venuti’s latest CD, Hangisphere, unveils the wonder and beauty of this magical vessel for boundless inspiration.
Popularized by millions of YouTube viewers and countless bloggers, as well as the appearance of players jamming in public centers around the world, the Hang is one of the most widely accepted new acoustic instruments in many years, and arguably one of the most captivating and versatile of all time. The Hang is not a drum, though it is often referred to as one because it’s played with hands and fingers in a percussive manner. It has a resonance, physical makeup, and range of technique options that transcend simple classifications.
The Hang is typically played sitting on a person’s lap. From the upright position the sound can be reminiscent of harp, keyboard, acoustic guitar, wind chimes, steel pan, and bells. When the Hang is inverted the timbre recalls ethnic percussion such as Udu, Ghatam, and Tabla. Played vertically with access to both ends a player is capable of making the music of a small ensemble.
A skilled Hang player can ring it like a singing bowl, play bass lines, coax rich overtones, pluck it like a harp, chuck it like a rhythm guitar, and express beautiful melodies...even chords. A sequence of notes can induce a hypnotic arpeggio. A hand glancing the surface conjures a snare brush. Notes can be muted and bent, or resound bright and brassy.
The tone can have a buttery quality, a throaty timbre, or whisper as a soft wind or gentle rain. Effects and electronic processing can transform the Hang into the equivalent of a compelling synthesizer. It is not uncommon to hear reports of mystical experiences related to the Hang. The sounds emanating from it can soften the heart and lift the spirit of both player and listener. |
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| The Electronic Valve Instrument |
Matt has enchanted audiences and listeners for years with his custom-built Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI), a dynamic and versatile breath-based synthesizer that offers an unlimited tonal palate through wireless MIDI. The EVI has trumpet fingering, a 7 octave range, and abundant effects that allow Matt to produce remarkably expressive sounds ranging from sci-fi to symphonic. Sampled sounds such as woodwinds, strings, brass, and analog-type synth sounds and effects take on new levels of articulation and expressive quality when played by a veteran EVI player.
Matt's EVIs were all custom built by Nyle Steiner. The EVI uses three touch-sensitive "valves" that resemble in function the valves of a trumpet. A fourth "valve", which is actually a metal strip that extends around the octave canister at the end of the instrument, lowers the pitch by a fourth. The canister itself, manipulated with the left hand, contains 6 cylinder shaped rollers, which the thumb glides along while the canister turns. Along with the three valves on top, the canister and fourth valve allow a player to utilize seven chromatic octaves.
The EVI also utilizes three trill, or alternate fingering keys next to the main valves.
Underneath the instrument are bend up and down plates that the right thumb operates, as well as a vibrato pad. The mouthpiece is a simple plastic tube and includes breath-pressure and bite-pressure sensors. Biting the mouthpiece allows for portamento, or a slurring effect, and changing the bite pressure changes this rate.
Another cool feature of the EVI is the Special Button! When a player touches the special button and the canister ring at the same time, as many as ten notes played in a single passage are sustained and stored in a memory buffer which can instantly be recalled and played as a chord. The EVI can also instantly play octaves or 5ths by touching the special button and specific touch sensitive "valves".
Tonal changes can be sent to a sound module from the EVI by touching a switch underneath the instrument and a particular valve.
The EVI is the coolest instrument on the planet, with the possible exception of the Hang..and ok, we'll give the Kora and the Huaca special mention too (both featured in Matt's music and his live shows. |
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