{"id":3613,"date":"2022-10-25T14:37:05","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T12:37:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sjaakvandam.nl\/artist\/?page_id=3613"},"modified":"2025-02-26T21:25:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T20:25:39","slug":"biography-handpan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sjaakvandam.nl\/artist\/handpanspeler\/biography-handpan\/","title":{"rendered":"Biography handpan"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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My Handpan Journey<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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<\/p>\n

Nearly twenty years ago, I encountered a handpan for the first time. This was a Hang, during a period long before handpans were as widely available as they are now. I instantly fell in love with the sound and have been seeking a way to play one myself ever since. This proved to be quite challenging. After a long search, I finally bought my first handpan eight years later, in 2012.<\/p>\n

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Development as a Handpan Artist<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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I could never have imagined that the handpan would become such a significant part of my life. Initially, I bought the instrument purely for personal enjoyment. For several years, the handpan remained something I played mainly at home, separate from my work as a musician.<\/p>\n

However, my desire to do more with the handpan grew.<\/p>\n

Back then, very little was happening with handpan in the Netherlands, and the opportunities for growth were incredibly liberating. The handpan is still a young and relatively unknown instrument, which gives a lot of room for development. Gradually, I began integrating the handpan into my professional work alongside my drumming.<\/p>\n

Today, I have a growing online handpan school<\/a>, offer consultations at Handpanshop<\/a>, and perform regularly<\/a>. Most of my performances are solo, but I am definitely open to new opportunities and collaborative projects in the future.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Sources of Inspiration<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The handpan community is rapidly expanding, which is very exciting. When I bought my first handpan, there was little information available, so I had to figure out much on my own. Over time, more players emerged who inspired me with their innovation and originality.<\/p>\n

Sam Maher<\/a> was the first to open new doors for me, followed by Kabe\u00e7\u00e3o<\/a>, from whom I have learned a great deal. His technique and style are a major source of inspiration for me. Manu Delago<\/a> is another significant influence, especially with his unique combinations of handpan and electronics.<\/p>\n

Beyond handpan players, I also draw inspiration from musicians in other genres whose creative choices impact me deeply. In the neoclassical field, artists like\u00a0\u00a0Nils Frahm<\/a>,\u00a0Max Richter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Joep Beving<\/a>\u00a0inspire me with their minimalist approach to composition and performance, which I enjoy incorporating into my handpan playing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Future Plans<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In recent years, my main focus with the handpan has been on developing my Dutch\u00a0online teaching courses and lessons<\/a>. I also work at Handpanshop<\/a>\u00a0on a regular base, and am increasingly involved in recordings and performances.<\/p>\n

I hope to expand these activities in the coming years, and I am also slowly working on a solo album. There is much to look forward to!<\/p>\n

I play on Pandakini<\/a> & Chaya <\/a>handpans.<\/p>\n

Interested in my drumming story? Click here<\/a> for more information about my work as a drummer. For more details about my work as a handpan teacher (in Dutch), click here<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My Handpan Journey Nearly twenty years ago, I encountered a handpan for the first time. This was a Hang, during a period long before handpans were as widely available as they are now. I instantly fell in love with the sound and have been seeking a way to play one myself ever since. This proved […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":501,"parent":3610,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3613","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"Biography handpan - Sjaak van Dam | artist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"On this page you'll read all there is to know about me as a handpan artist. 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