Harmonic Minor is a scale with a strong and instantly recognisable character. It is a scale that falls within the minor mode (as the name ‘Harmonic Minor’ suggests), but at the same time flirts a little with the cheerful major sounds in a few notes. This convergence of two quite different worlds – major and minor – gives Harmonic Minor its distinctive character.
Harmonic Minor is identical in structure to Amara or Celtic Minor. As with those scales, Hijaz also consistently skips one note. This is the sixth note in the scale, also known as the minor sixth.
By omitting this tone, a more open and peaceful sound is created. It is very similar to pentatonic, although for that, one more tone would need to be omitted (the minor second).
So it is not the structure itself that makes this mood so different. It is really the choice of notes within that structure. By selecting notes from both the minor and major scales, a unique sound is created that can sound very evocative and enchanting.
Harmonic Minor is the ideal tuning for players looking for a handpan that creates a distinct atmosphere. A handpan with character and an easily recognisable scale!
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is characterised by medium to above-average reverberation, and a nice clear sound. The mid-high fresh sound is something that comes out clearly with the sound of stainless steel. It has a bit less (top) high and a bit less low than Ember Steel, but moves a bit more into the (high) middle.
This makes stainless steel a fine and fresh sound, which today forms a nice middle ground within all the different sounds in terms of materials. It has slightly less reverb than Ember Steel, but clearly more reverb than nitrided steel.
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