RAV Vast A Marmara Handpan

The A Marmara has a melodic, calming and very relaxing minor sound. Because of the thinner steel (1.5 mm) this RAV drum is made of, the voice of A Marmara is so tender. Besides, it is 1 kg lighter than most of the other RAV Vasts (the weight of the A Marmara is 4.9 kg).

The A Marmara has united the best features of two other RAV Vasts – the Golden Gate and the A Integral. It has the tension of the Integral scale and the nostalgic feel of the Golden Gate, but unlike these two scales, the A Marmara is much easier to deal with. You can think of the A Marmara as the C# tuned scale if you set aside the A2-tuned Ding. This drum has a very similar layout to the one that the A Integral scale has (except the missing G-note). However, notwithstanding the similar note progression, these two scales provide a different mood (major VS minor).

The steel tongues of the A Marmara are tuned in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th octaves. Furthermore, it is a pentatonic scale which means that the same notes are replicated in stacked octaves. Thus, the A Marmara provides a comfortable position of two A notes (the Ding and the left note) to anchor playing.

The A Marmara is a Lydian based scale with changes in the 2nd and 6th notes. All of the notes work well together. Even though this scale has two halftones (G#3-A3, D#4-E4), there aren’t many dissonances. Even the tone fields above the tongues sound great, and no note throws off the entire scale. All of the tongues have all the harmonics very clearly audible on them.

Just like in the Golden Gate RAV Vast, the A Marmara has a couple of movements that define this particular scale, but what you add on top of it gives you variety and melody to whatever you are playing.

You can switch between the minor and major feel by concentrating on different areas on the drum. For example, if you want to get a major feel, all you need to do is just anchor around the higher pitch tongues on the top. And vice versa, go down to the bottom notes to enhance the minor feel.

There are a couple of chord progressions you can play with the scale. But the primary progression is the A (A2-E3-A3) and the triad right below (C#3-G#3-C#4). You can create numerous harmonious melodies anchored around these note progressions (check out the official video to review the techniques).

For whom this scale will work

The A Marmara is a scale that can satisfy people who are just beginning their musical path or getting to know the instrument and seasoned musicians who know notes and chords.

As for the beginners, the A Marmara is really easy to play. Just like the B RUS (RAV Universal scale), the A Marmara is the scale you’ll be able to learn a lot with, just with a more melancholic feeling to it.

Does A Marmara have a chance to become the most favourite RAV drum scale of an experienced musician? Absolutely! This scale can enlarge the spectrum of the musical vocabulary that you possess. This scale has a lot of sharps, which makes the sound unique. The A Marmara has a bunch of notes that are not presented in many other RAV Vasts. The A Marmara shines both in slower and more meditative playing and in very chordal orchestration. There’s a lot of dyads and triads available on this scale that allow you to create engrossing songs.

Among RAV Vast drums, A Marmara pairs well with the D tuned scales. Among other instruments – it sounds well when it’s accompanied with the C# pentatonic minor flutes.

If you have been convinced – do not hesitate and order A Marmara RAV! If you would like to hear it play, visit our virtual player page.