E2/ G, B, D, E, F#, G, B
with a side of B2 😉
This is the first E2 Saraz. It is considered a prototype mainly because the instrument wasn’t originally intended to have an E2 or be an E Celtic Minor lol. Had it been planned, the note layout and sizes would have been different and I would have fully tuned both shoulder tones to B5 instead of only one of them.
It was a fun experiment however and an interesting journey.
This E2 is a little different than most handpan notes. The long axis is the compound 5th (B3) instead of the typical octave on most handpan notes. The short axis is a 2nd octave (E4) instead of the typical compound 5th on most handpan notes. These non traditional options have two great characteristics.
- They allowed me to tune this note on a much smaller size than usual.
- The harmonics will couple more with the side notes (B3 and E4), which on this instrument isn’t actually ideal as the note layout isn’t ideal so there is some unintended and slightly wild activation between the long axis and the B3. In the video, I muffle the B3 with my palm and also allow it to ring numerous times as I do enjoy this activation and technique when it is more stable and less “ghostly” in the sustain.
I look forward to building more Saraz in 2021 with E2, F2, F#2, G2 and G#2 centers. Until then, I am going to cut this one open and make it a full scale of A minor with an A2 center as it was originally intended to be lol.
– Mark
