The handpan is a remarkable instrument that defies its ordinary name, and Tairua musician Taylor Sol plays it as part of his sound healing workshops.
He has beautiful crystal quartz singing bowls and other healing sound instruments, all resonating peaceful vibrations to touch the heart and soul.
His musical journey started as a child – in fact, he recalls it began in his past lives.
“My dad played drums and piano when I was a child and I consider it a blessing to have been immersed in a musical upbringing. As a child I was not fully able to express myself, but discovered music allowed me to access and to feel my emotions. Now I feel part of my soul mission is to bring forth healing sounds. This is why I chose my parents and they chose me – we’ve all chosen our reality.”
Taylor played drums in bands from age 11 – 25, but always felt something was missing.
“Then I discovered 432 hertz, nature’s beautiful healing frequency. I started realising the potency of this frequency when I was in Bali. I heard the tongue drum, which is tuned to 432. Although 440 hertz is a beautiful frequency in contemporary music, going back to the ancient sounds of 432 hertz, we discover it’s the miracle tone of nature. I’m fascinated that Māori instruments, such as the conch, have this resonance.”
Taylor was excited to discover that you can play both rhythm and melody on the handpan – and knew he had to have one!
“Then I found when I took my handpan to a gathering of people and played, they enjoyed it and felt the vibrations. This was a couple of years ago. Then I had a vision while doing meditation and saw myself playing a Native American flute on top of a pyramid in space. So I followed this vision by getting a flute. To my surprise, I could play it straight away and remembered playing it in a past life. I added crystal quartz singing bowls, taonga pūoro (Māori instruments), plus the African djembe drum and chimes. Now I’m working on playing the didgeridoo.”
The handpan is a relatively new instrument, originating in Switzerland. Equipped with this and his other instruments, Taylor was ready to hold his first sound healing workshop in his hometown, Gisborne. He was nervous, but after watching the audience response he gained new confidence in himself and his performance.
He recently visited Egypt and says feeling the energy there was “a crazy experience”. It was also an opportunity for him to share his sound healing in temples and the King’s Chamber of the Giza pyramid.
Reflecting on the dynamics of life, Taylor says the first sound emerging from the universe (Ohm, big bang, God or whatever you label the intelligent field) led to vibration, which created light, which created colour. Colour created form, which created geometry.
“All these are the foundations of every aspect of life. We see it in the ripples of water and feel it in music, and in our connection we come back to the source. I believe that’s why we connect to music.”
As his hands caress the handpan and create mystical music, Taylor’s arm tattoo depicts his journey, including a lion for courage and eagle wing for freedom from limitations.
He holds sound healing ceremonies via Zoom, by donation. Check it here!
Words by Pamela Bass
