This Instrument is in the "minor pentatonic 9" scale, which is (low to high):
   C (corresponding to the central "ding" note on a Halo or Hang)
   F
   G#
   B flat
   C
   E flat
   F
   G

I think this version of my hank is the best sounding one of all - due
to it being pitched a bit lower than my other hanks. This lower pitch 
allows for the use of a couple of larger tongues, which sound noticeably 
better than smaller tongues.

Because I've already detailed how to build a "hank drum",* 
a full construction article is unnecessary here. If you want to build
one of these things in this "minor pentatonic 9" scale, refer to my existing 
"how to build a hank drum" article, and substitute the tongue dimensions 
(shown below) for the tongue template shown in the earlier article.

Try to position each tongue in more or less the same relative position
as shown in the illustration. This is not super critical.
What IS very important though is that you initially cut each leg of the 
tongues a quarter inch or so shorter than what my illustrations show and 
then VERY slowly and VERY carefully lengthen each leg until it's right on.
Even though I've built many of these things, I still make these final 
lengthening cuts using a bare hacksaw blade instead of a saber saw.
Even so, sometimes all it takes as little as ONE jab too many with the 
hacksaw blade & the pitch goes south! In other words, proceed slowly.
It's astounding just how quickly the pitch lowers!

* The definition of a hank drum (I can do this because I am the inventor 
of it) is a musical instrument usually constructed from a new, empty 20 
pound liquid propane tank. From 8 to 9 "tongues" are cut into what normally
would be the bottom of the propane tank (once the metal base is removed).
The key point that makes it a "hank drum" is that these notes are arranged
in a circular pattern, APPROXIMATING THAT OF A HANG OR HALO. Because
a central "ding" tongue does not work with the hank, I have relocated it
to between the two highest notes. Even with it thus moved, the "ding"
is still the closest tongue to the center of the hank.


Let me know if you build one of these things.

Dennis Havlena - W8MI 
dhavlena@gmail.com
Mackinac Straits, northern Michigan

Click here to access my webpage