The gentleman playing the rather Seussian-looking musical instrument is also the man who invented it. His name is Gorkem Sen, and he's a Turkish musician and instrument maker. It's called the yaybahar, and it's only been around for a few years. It's the twenty-first century and we don't expect to see new instruments invented that aren't synthesizers or otherwise somehow electronic. Which is also in some ways a surprise because that big echoing effect sounds like something you might need to go to a studio to get.
In the coming years―assuming the years continue to come―it's interesting to ponder if this thing might take off the way steelpans did in the 20th century.
2 comments:
Listening to Gorkem Sen play his fascinating instrument is very pleasant. I've checked out a couple of his other videos this evening, enough to hear he's definitely a fine musician no matter what he plays. What I'm wondering is why is it the sounding drums change depending on when, what and where he's playing. Dis you notice that? Sometimes there are long drums but they can change to different lengths or even just a flat pan.
You mentioned the steelpans that have long been part of Jamaican music. The instrument I heard for the first time a few years ago was the handpan that makes quite a different sound. I went looking for the short video I did find (played by a very cheerful guy) but what I saw first was was 50 different hour long meditation pieces. sheesh..
https://youtu.be/gT1fcyAxfZo?si=bgavxkC3quA8F-j7
Sen is a very versatile musician on a number of instruments, it seems. When someone keeps coming up with new ways to create musical sounds like that it's hard not to conclude they're a genius. On an educated guess I would say that the length of the drums varies with the intended length and depth of the echo, but I could be wrong.
Yeah, the handpan does seem to make a different sound. Softer and maybe lighter. It seems to have exploded in popularity in the last 20 years. It was fun to see that guy playing one in a pond. Imagine being a hiker and walking up that way.
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