For this week's Handpan Maker Spotlight, we visit Valerio Menon, the talented handpan player turned builder from Thun, Switzerland. While Valerio discovered the handpan seemingly by accident it's hard to say this wasn't destiny as his instruments have evolved to become some of the most sought after worldwide. So, come join me as we explore Valerio’s journey and the story of Valerio Menon Instruments!
What is your company name? And what is the meaning/inspiration behind it?
Valerio Menon Instruments. I've been part of the handpan scene for a long time before I started making instruments. I started playing in 2012, people already knew me by my name so there was no point in looking for a fancy one! 😊
Who is your company run by? Do you work alone or with a team of people?
I work alone and I honestly love it! The goal is not to became bigger, just to go on doing what I love to do.
Year Founded:
2015
Location:
Thun, Switzerland
How did you first discover the handpan?
Through YouTube! I was actually looking for a link to assemble a piece of furniture and among the suggested videos there was "Handpan Timo" by David Charrier!
What is your goal as a handpan builder?
Honestly, I don't have one but continuing to experiment! Seeing the happy faces of customers who receive their instrument and having the chance to do a job that I love deeply are definitely the reasons that push me to keep going.
If anything, I think the goal is to continue to have fun doing what I love to do. However, I believe that in general, building instruments that the customer will still play regularly in 10 or 20 years is a common goal among makers.
What made you decide to start building handpans?
Between 2012 and 2015 I played several concerts throughout Europe, it had become my job. At the end of the summer of 2015 I decided that that life wasn't right for me, I no longer liked always travelling. So my friend Ore', maker of Koan Handpan (at the time he was my tour manager for France) proposed to teach me how to build instruments. Two months later I sold the first one and started my company.
What are your most and least favorite things about being a handpan builder?
Freedom.
What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring handpan makers?
Starting with the right tools and the right material makes everything easier. When I started you couldn't find anything online, it was a job that didn't exist. Today you can find everything quickly.
Another thing I recommend is to ask yourself why you want to start. Over the years I have seen many people start believing that it was the easiest job in the world and that in a couple of months they would become rich! They were disappeared shortly after. It's very hard work and must be respected. Handpan is for me the celebration of individuality. It doesn't matter who you are or how you play, the rules for playing this instrument have not yet been written, and I hope they never will be.
Everyone is appreciated for the individual they are.
If you could only play one handpan scale for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
My favorite scale changes every day. But I believe that the D Kurd remains, at least for this musical instrument, the mother of all the scales.
Do you take custom orders?
Yes.
Do you have instruments currently available to purchase?
No, I don't.
Do you have a waiting list? If so how long?
Yes, I have around a 16 month waiting list. This is partly due to the low production I have. Like I said before, I don't care about getting big and producing more instruments.
For more information about Valerio Menon Instruments:
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