Battiloro PERSEIDE EMBER - 432 Hz "Healing Frequency" Handpan: D Kurd | Embersteel

Since December 2019, from the very beginning, Battiloro has been part of the Handpan.World Maker network. At Battiloro, the journey through the musical universe began in 2007. A group of friends, musicians and percussionists discovered the potential of a fascinating new instrument: the handpan. This passion for the instrument was combined with the expertise of experienced craftsmen, and thus Battiloro was born.

The Battiloro Handpan is made in keeping with the origins of this instrument and is entirely handmade. The two phases of careful design and sound research ensure 100% Made in Italy craftsmanship. Battiloro's team is made up of highly qualified artisans who dedicate the necessary time to each individual instrument, shaping it, tuning it by ear and finishing it until it becomes an incomparable, unique piece.

Each instrument has its own unique character, like a tailor-made garment, and reflects the personality of the musician who chooses it. We therefore recommend trying the instruments in person. We welcome you and will be happy to help you choose the instrument that best suits your tastes and needs.

Mood description : Kurd
Synonyms : minor / with root note D
Basic note sequence (8+1): D/ A Bb CDEFGA
Effect : Warm - Mysterious - Dreamy
Tone range: Heptatonic

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

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

About the Perseide Handpan:

Embodying the new moon, Perseide carries the deep meaning of life reborn, a cosmic regeneration that connects the cycle of life and human destiny. Elegant in its bronze finish, Perseide's stainless steel produces a clear and stirring sound, with a long sustain that lends atmospheric light.

Mood description:

The Kurd tuning is, if you will, the natural minor variant of the handpan tunings. Due to its particularly harmonious composition of notes, it is particularly suitable for beginners. With it, you can play everything from calm and meditative to melancholic to powerful and cheerful, with a wide variety of styles.

Even though this mood can sound very sentimental, you can create cheerful sounds with it. For example, the second and third notes each produce a major triad. Just be aware that the second and third notes will be played at the same time. You can of course also consciously use this tension to spice up your playing and make the relaxation seem stronger afterwards. 

This tuning is one of the first seven-tone tunings that was built and has become very popular through some videos on the Internet.

Origin and music theory of the Kurdish tuning:

Kurd takes the name of the Arabic/Turkish maqam Kurd. This selection of tones also shares the arrangement of the tones with this maqam if one assumes 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 acts like a second tonal center, which causes the mode to change to Aeolian (natural minor). Depending on the playing style, you can switch between natural minor and Phrygian sound character. With Kurd you can play everything from calm and meditative to melancholic to powerful and cheerful, with a wide variety of styles.

Kurd shares with other minor variations (cf. Celtic Minor/ Integral) the jump of a fifth from the DING to the first tone. From this fifth step, assuming that the tonal center is the DING, one has all the tonal steps of a natural minor scale (Aeolian). What is special about Kurd is the semitone step (semitone) between the first and second tones. 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. 

Suitable moods:
Very suitable for collaborative, improvisational playing:

• 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 good for composing together:

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