I recently interviewed Kai Stensgaard, who created the aluphone along with Michael Hansen, and he has a very interesting story behind this amazing instrument. Let’s take a journey into the vision and creation of the mysterious “aluphone.”
About 14 years ago, Kai was doing Stomp music and he was hired to do shows at a building construction convention. He met a guy from Denmark who had metal fence post tops to protect the posts from rain. Kai struck it and he was amazed by the sound because it was new and unlike anything he had ever heard, so he took it home. He thought that if he could somehow tune this bell, it could be a great instrument. Kai called Michael Hansen, the builder of the fence post top, and asked if he would be interested. Not being a musician, Michael didn’t show much interest at first. Kai kept calling him and he finally was invited to the factory. They both found that by taking metal from each fence post top and making them smaller, they could find diatonic pitches. So they assembled the first prototype with pitches aligned diatonically like a set of bells.
Kai is excited about the current uses for the instrument. It has been purchased by some symphony orchestras and is being used in percussion ensembles and a marimba quartet. He envisions it growing in the symphonic world, as well as being an instrument used in schools to supplement the bells. The aluphone is also being used in multi-percussion solo setups as well as by jazz musicians playing drumset. The Santa Clara Vanguard was the first drum and bugle corps to use the instrument. It is now being used by the Blue Devils, Boston Crusaders, and many others. 
Kai also said the aluphone is a great match with the marimba. The dark sounds of the marimba are contrasted by the crystal clear ringing sounds of the aluphone. The sustain of the aluphone ringing out while marimba passages are played creates very profound textures. Personally, I used the aluphone with my marimba on my version of “Scarborough Fair” with Grant Maloy Smith. We brought the aluphone and marimba out on an island cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The combination was magical. After watching the video, Kai said “We seem to have the same idea about the aluphone. It was great to see you using it, and the way you used it was inspiring”.
There are several types of mallets that Kai recommends for the aluphone. Medium to hard rubber mallets tend to bring out the best fundamental sound of the instrument. Soft rubber mallets also give it a beautiful warm sound, especially in the lower register. Plastic bell mallets or wood mallets are also options. Medium hard marimba mallets may be used when playing the marimba and aluphone at the same time. Kai said a string bass bow also makes a unique and amazing sound, almost like a glass sound.
The aluphone has enjoyed success with contemporary composers. Anders Koppel wrote “Concerto for Aluphone and Orchestra.” Composer James MacMillan also used it on his percussion concerto. Kai is also currently working on his own percussion concerto using the aluphone, and he is also experimenting with the vibraphone and aluphone, two similar, yet very different sounds. Another exciting development for the aluphone is in the realm of music therapy in sound and bath wellness centers, particularly in Bermuda.
From a personal standpoint, I was looking for a unique sound for a long time for “Scarborough Fair”, as I mentioned earlier. When I heard the aluphone, I immediately knew it was the magical sound I was looking for. I’d love to give a big thank you to Kai for this interview, and to Kai Stensgaard and Michael Hansen for creating this masterpiece. You can see it in action on the island cliff in this video, overlooking the ocean, capturing the magic of this enchanting instrument.
“Scarborough Fair” by Grant Maloy Smith and Kevin Lucas
https://youtu.be/pEmrX_LhgXY?si=gRzAhWUnbEVXFDHB
Kevin Lucas’ musical aspirations began at age 7, when he learned to play the piano. His love for percussion began in elementary school where he started playing in the 5th grade. At a young age he displayed a passion and tenacity for music that was clear when he broke his arm in 7th grade a mere two days before a xylophone competition. After leaving the hospital, he came to school and played his solo with one arm, receiving a perfect score from the judges. He started playing marimba and vibes while a student at Lockport High School. After high school, he attended Illinois State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in percussion performance, and then was awarded a second bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Kevin then earned a master’s degree in percussion performance from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Kevin has won many awards as both a performer and producer.
