<p>The first time Daniel Waples came to India, it was 10 years ago and he spent his time wandering the country with his music. Now, he returns once more, a familiar face, with a growing lust for organic sounds.<br /><br /></p>.<p> A pioneer of handpan music, Daniel travels the world as a street artiste, promoting the unique instrument. Although his experienced fingers have awed many with their mastery over rhythms and scales, he remains humble and willing to learn.<br /><br />Set to perform with Montry Manuel of ‘Thaalavattam’ on June 25 at The Humming Tree, the hand percussion instrumentalist talks to Ananya Revanna about his musical journey so far.<br /> <br />When did you start playing handpans?<br /><br />I first touched upon a Hang (made by Swiss inventors) around 2005/2006. I bought one for myself in 2007 after waiting on a list for a long time. I travelled to Switzerland to collect it. Since then, I have been playing a similar instrument made by alternative makers and these are known as ‘handpans’.<br /> <br />What does it (or its sounds) represent to you?<br /><br />Well, the shape made me to see how something so smooth and rounded can travel across different terrains with ease. The sound is something that is very hard to describe; I usually liken it to what one might have heard back in the initial stages of life in their mother’s womb.<br /> <br />How do people receive the instrument since it’s still new?<br /><br />As the instrument becomes popular, more people want to get a hold of it. I get many emails from people asking what scale I play on and where they can buy one. Some speak of intentions to use it in shamanic work, some for healing and others for more artistic reasons. For certain, there is a huge demand for these instruments, yet only a few people world wide can actually create a decent quality one.<br /> <br />What instruments does the handpan go best with?<br /><br />Melodically, the handpan fits well with most organic instruments; rhythmically, it is best played with hands, so it makes sense that it blends well with other hand percussion instruments. My favourite instruments to jam with are violin and organic instruments.<br /> <br />Your best gig so far.<br /><br />I would say the maximum fun that I have had at a show was last December in Surat, Gujarat. It was a day after Christmas and there were a few thousand people in attendance for my show. I was expecting a lot less so I didn’t let my nerves get up. When I realised how busy it was, I just lit some incense and enjoyed everyone’s company. And the selfies after the show took longer than the set itself!<br /> <br />What other instruments do you play?<br /><br />I played military snare and bass drum from the age of 11 to 14. Then I picked up the guitar at 14. I began to play African percussion at 21 and shortly after, the handpan.<br /> <br />If you weren’t a musician, you would be a...<br /><br />Most likely, a long-distance truck driver, a travel agent or a technician of some sort. Then a husband and father!<br /> <br />The essentials of learning handpans.<br /><br />The handpan is so new that I was lucky enough to develop my own style of playing without having to try too hard. I began to play before there were YouTube tutorials on the same. So I say, the best way would be to sit quietly and without expectations.<br /> <br />Is there anything or anyone who could make you stop wandering? <br /><br />Painfully, I have been putting my travels and performances ahead of any family ties that have come up over these past years. It’s been hard to manage my time, but I’m working on it.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The first time Daniel Waples came to India, it was 10 years ago and he spent his time wandering the country with his music. Now, he returns once more, a familiar face, with a growing lust for organic sounds.<br /><br /></p>.<p> A pioneer of handpan music, Daniel travels the world as a street artiste, promoting the unique instrument. Although his experienced fingers have awed many with their mastery over rhythms and scales, he remains humble and willing to learn.<br /><br />Set to perform with Montry Manuel of ‘Thaalavattam’ on June 25 at The Humming Tree, the hand percussion instrumentalist talks to Ananya Revanna about his musical journey so far.<br /> <br />When did you start playing handpans?<br /><br />I first touched upon a Hang (made by Swiss inventors) around 2005/2006. I bought one for myself in 2007 after waiting on a list for a long time. I travelled to Switzerland to collect it. Since then, I have been playing a similar instrument made by alternative makers and these are known as ‘handpans’.<br /> <br />What does it (or its sounds) represent to you?<br /><br />Well, the shape made me to see how something so smooth and rounded can travel across different terrains with ease. The sound is something that is very hard to describe; I usually liken it to what one might have heard back in the initial stages of life in their mother’s womb.<br /> <br />How do people receive the instrument since it’s still new?<br /><br />As the instrument becomes popular, more people want to get a hold of it. I get many emails from people asking what scale I play on and where they can buy one. Some speak of intentions to use it in shamanic work, some for healing and others for more artistic reasons. For certain, there is a huge demand for these instruments, yet only a few people world wide can actually create a decent quality one.<br /> <br />What instruments does the handpan go best with?<br /><br />Melodically, the handpan fits well with most organic instruments; rhythmically, it is best played with hands, so it makes sense that it blends well with other hand percussion instruments. My favourite instruments to jam with are violin and organic instruments.<br /> <br />Your best gig so far.<br /><br />I would say the maximum fun that I have had at a show was last December in Surat, Gujarat. It was a day after Christmas and there were a few thousand people in attendance for my show. I was expecting a lot less so I didn’t let my nerves get up. When I realised how busy it was, I just lit some incense and enjoyed everyone’s company. And the selfies after the show took longer than the set itself!<br /> <br />What other instruments do you play?<br /><br />I played military snare and bass drum from the age of 11 to 14. Then I picked up the guitar at 14. I began to play African percussion at 21 and shortly after, the handpan.<br /> <br />If you weren’t a musician, you would be a...<br /><br />Most likely, a long-distance truck driver, a travel agent or a technician of some sort. Then a husband and father!<br /> <br />The essentials of learning handpans.<br /><br />The handpan is so new that I was lucky enough to develop my own style of playing without having to try too hard. I began to play before there were YouTube tutorials on the same. So I say, the best way would be to sit quietly and without expectations.<br /> <br />Is there anything or anyone who could make you stop wandering? <br /><br />Painfully, I have been putting my travels and performances ahead of any family ties that have come up over these past years. It’s been hard to manage my time, but I’m working on it.<br /><br /></p>
