Sam Maher - New York Handpan 01

Scale: C, Aeolian. - Notes: (C#)-G#-A-B-C#-D#-E-F#-G#.
Recorded at the 7th Ave. G/F station in Brooklyn, NY.

I met Sam on my way home from work transferring between the R and the L. As I was walking down the stairs I thought I was hearing electronic music, which you never hear in the subway. But it had a natural essence to it, almost like acoustic electronic music. It was strange and hard to pinpoint what I was hearing. As I got down to the L platform I saw Sam sitting and playing a strange instrument I had never seen before. He had a crowd around him and lots of donations flowing in. After he finished a song I approached him and he told me about his handpan and that he was from Australia and traveling the world as a busker. What a life! He said everywhere he went he was able to make money for the next leg of his trip. The day before he made $200 in an hour playing in Central Park. I asked if he wanted to record and he did but he was leaving in two days for Central America. I was so excited by this beautiful music that I cancelled plans and we met up the next night to record at my favorite spot.

Took a while to get some good takes and by the end his hands were bleeding because he had been playing so much recently. It was an amazing experience and I love the sound we were able capture down there.

[paranormalsoulcircle]

I ordered one of these as a Sobriety Gift to my self. I am now 4 years Sober from Heroin and Fentanyl and hard Alcohol. Everyday that I Remain Sober is another day of life

[luckymann]

The sounds of the trains in the background add a whole dimension to his playing. Blending his environment with his art absolutely perfect.

[paris]

the handpan is such a beautiful combination of melody harmony and rhythm in a way that no other instrument has

[alchimiepsy]

Even after 6 years, still the best handpan melody i’ve heard…
Love this so much 🙏🏼❤️

[OlesDeyneka]

Still one of the most inspiring musicians for me, captures perfectly the potential of this beautiful instrument.

[gamerkrill]

The fact that the place seems to be abandoned makes this even more ethereal. Just imagine walking through this abandoned subway and you start to hear this incredible hand pan in the distance.

[chokiicream]

And here I am again. Coming back at this video every couple of years. Still amazing.

[kummer]

He dedicated all of his life giving us for free this gift. A true hero.

[vishalvish]

I've been listening to this over a year now, and its still as extra ordinary to me. who else also feels this lad should have a bigger fan following? Incredible.

[CyberSpiral]

And that's it now for me. I have always had a sound, a very particular sound, that I love. Whenever I hear it I'm happy. It's got this drony, tinny, metallic quality that is like a gong or a distant deep bell ring. Every so often I'd find a song that has an element of that sound but it was always buried in the song, never featured or at least very rarely featured. And now this instrument comes along and it IS the sound I've always loved. And I'm just sitting here thinking, "Holy crap! I finally found it!" Thank you so much for putting this out here!

[しかりょ]

I live in Japan. What the amazing! I had liked only rock musics since listen and watch this video. But thanks to his performance, I understood that the world of music is very wide. He is amazing musician!!

[bombshell]

Listening to this since last four years and it still doesn't get old. Favourite handpan artist hands down!

[AmyNaylorMusic]

This is perhaps the best piece of handpan music online. I just love it

[andreacooks]

I believe he's as beautiful as his music. He responded to an email, I was inquiring abt this instrument. He was so genuinely kind. I jus could tell..

[r.s.marcus]

It amazes me that you find virtuoso talent like this in the streets. I'd take this over mainstream recording artists all day.

[WAYNEMELLINGER]

Sam Maher is the best handpan player I've ever heard and this is his masterpiece. Not only is his performance world class with speed and dexterity unrivaled, but his composition / improvisation skills are revealed in this complex and uplifting piece.

[alissaharder]

In my opinion this instrument has the most entrancing sound. It reaches into a peaceful part of my life and helps me relax. It’s not only ethereal but it’s also, bringing the listener into a presence of their own.

[kinaost]

This is THE most impressing handpan play I’ve ever seen! Sam Maher is THE god of Hang!

[levallane_]

the absolute madman at 3:05 the music switches from a low beat with an accompanying high melody to a high beat with a low melody god i love this music

[kmacritc]

Sam is incredible and his music is both soothing and engaging, nearly impossible not to play over and over and get motivated. I applaud those like Sam that use their talents so incredibly well and share them to inspire so many others to be great at what they do best as well.