Horayzon Master Handpan | D Kurd | Stainless Steel

Horayzon Master Series Handpan D Kurd - The ideal professional instrument

The Horayzon Handpan Master Series represents the highest level of craftsmanship and incomparable sound quality. Each instrument in this exclusive series is handcrafted with the utmost care and precision by the most experienced instrument makers in the Horayzon workshop. These masterpieces are the result of years of experience and passionate dedication and set new standards in the world of handpans.

The Horayzon Master Handpans are characterized by a particularly clear and harmonious tone tuning. They offer an impressive spectrum of timbres, ranging from deep, earthy basses to crystal clear, floating trebles. These professional instruments are perfect for high-quality studio recordings and stage performances. Thanks to their optimally balanced vibration behavior and precise sound development, they can be recorded effortlessly with standard recording equipment.

The outstanding quality of the Horayzon Master Handpans is also reflected in the careful selection of materials and first-class workmanship. The sheet steel used is specially treated to ensure maximum resonance and long-term tuning stability. The surface is designed not only to provide a pleasant feel, but also to reliably protect the instrument from external influences.

Features of the Horayzon Master Handpan series:

• Complex keys and tone sequences: Available in a variety of keys and variants with up to 19 notes. Also available as mutant variants with up to 12 notes on the top shell, ideal for demanding melodies and rhythms.
• Special designs: Customize your handpan according to your wishes. Our master craftsmen will turn your individual ideas into a unique instrument.
• Impressive sound variety: Experience a wide range of timbres, from warm basses to clear trebles - perfect for solo performances and ensemble playing.
• High-quality materials: Specially selected sheet steel and a corrosion-resistant surface ensure exceptional sound fidelity and durability.
• Pure craftsmanship: Each instrument is unique, handcrafted with the utmost precision and dedication.
  

Why the Horayzon Master Handpan?

Designed for professional musicians who do not compromise on sound and quality, the Horayzon Master series offers everything you need for your musical expression and development. Its versatility, impressive depth of sound and ease of use for recording and sound recording make it the ideal instrument for ambitious musicians.

If you are looking for a professional instrument that meets the highest standards, the Horayzon Master Handpan is the perfect choice. It combines masterful craftsmanship with first-class materials and an extraordinary variety of sounds. Whether for use on stage, in the studio or for private sessions - this instrument meets all requirements.

Diameter: 53 cm
Height approx: 26.5cm
Weight: approx. 4kg
Material: stainless steel

Tuning name: Kurd
Synonyms: Aeolian / with fundamental C# = Annaziska
Basic tone sequence (8+1): D/ A Bb C D E F G A
Effect: Warm - Mysterious - Dreamy
Tone range: Heptatonic

Mode:
Phrygian (tonal center 1st note) = major, or
Aeolian (tonal center : Ding) = minor

Semitones : 7- 1 - 2 - 2 - 2- 3 - 2 - 2
Tonal center : DING or first note

Description Handpan tuning D Kurd:

The Kurd tuning is, if you like, the natural minor variant of the handpan tunings. Due to its particularly harmonious combination of notes, it is particularly suitable for beginners. It can be used to play anything from calm and meditative to melancholic to powerful and cheerful, with lots of variation.

Even though this tuning can sound very sentimental, it can also be used to create cheerful soundscapes. For example, the second and third notes each produce a major triad. Just be aware that the second and third notes are played simultaneously. Of course, you can also consciously use this tension to spice up your playing and make the relaxation have a stronger effect afterwards.

This tuning is one of the first seven-note scales to be tuned into a handpan and has become very well known through numerous videos that have gone viral on the internet.

Origin and music theory of the Kurd handpan tuning:

Kurd takes its name from the Arabic/Turkish maqam Kurd. This tone selection also shares the arrangement of the tones with this maqam, assuming that the tonal center is on the first tone in the circle. This creates the complete Phrygian mode, which is characterized by a semitone step from the root note to the second note of the scale and is responsible for the mysterious sound of the scale.

However, an ambivalence remains, as the DING is a fifth below the first note and thus appears like a second tonal center, which allows the mode to change to Aeolian (natural minor). Depending on how you play, you can switch between a natural minor and a Phrygian sound character. With Kurd you can play anything from calm and meditative to melancholy, powerful and cheerful, with lots of variation.

Kurd shares with other minor variations (cf. Celtic Minor/Integral) the leap of a fifth from the DING to the first note. From this fifth step, assuming that the tonal center is the DING, you have all the tone steps of a natural minor scale (aeolian). Kurd's semitone step between the first and second note is special. This step is also present in the maqam Kurd (Arabic or Turkish scale system) of the same name (cf. semai Kurd), but also in the Phrygian mode. The Phrygian mode is used in jazz, psychedelic rock, flamenco and fado, but also in classical music.

Possible tone sequences of the Handpan Scale D Kurd:

Basic tone sequence with 9 notes: D/ A Bb C D E F G A
Tone sequence with 10 notes: D/ A Bb C D E F G A C
Tone sequence with 11 notes: D/ (F) A Bb C D E F G A C
Tone sequence with 12 notes: D/ (F G) A Bb C D E F G A C
Tone sequence with 14 notes: D/ (F G) A Bb C D E F G A C (D E)

Mutant:
Tone sequence with 12 notes (Mutant): D/ A Bb C D E F G A C {D E}
Tone sequence with 14 notes (Mutant): D/ (F G) A Bb C D E F G A C {D E}
Tone sequence with 16 notes (Mutant): D/ (F G) A Bb C D E F G A C {D E} (F)

*Bottom notes are additional tone fields on the underside of the handpan and are written in round brackets, e.g. (D E).

Mutant handpans have additional notes on the top shell in the second row - between the chorus and the root note. Mutant notes are written in curly brackets, e.g. {D E}.

→ You can read a detailed article on mutant & bottom-note handpans here: Blog post

→ Discover our full selection of mutant & bottom-note handpans here

We only list the standard layouts under "Possible tone sequences". On request, our handpans can also be made with other notes and in other arrangements. Simply write an email with your request to: service@handpan.world

Which handpan tuning goes well with D Kurd:

Very suitable for playing together improvisationally:

• F Sabye (parallel key)
• F Major (parallel key)
• D Celtic Minor / Amara
• G Celtic Minor / Amara
• D Aeolian
• Bb Aegean
• D Equinox
• D Magic Voyage
• D Integral
• D Pygmy

Also suitable for composing together:

• A Celtic Minor / Amara
• A Hijaz
• C Kurd
• C Celtic Minor / Amara
• F Ragadesh