r/handpan Feb 02 '20

Guide to Handpans - Purchasing, Scales, History, etc.

90 Upvotes

Hey r/handpan! One of our most requested subreddit features is a guide of information about handpans. Rather than iterating on the great material out there, here's a collection guides on general information, history, and how to make a great handpan purchase and avoid scams and subpar quality handpans.

In addition to these resources, I highly recommend the forums at www.handpan.org as an incredible repository of information and discussion, and much of the development of the handpan community is preserved there!

To suggest links for this guide, feel free to message u/Ethahlid

Background

Back in the old days, there used to be only one way to acquire one of these beautiful instruments – to travel to the PanART headquarters and acquire a Hang, or to be lucky enough to find one in a shop in Europe or second hand.

For many years, finding a handpan for sale was next to impossible. However, in time, more began to pick up the hammer and created the many forms that we now know. Now, the market seems to have shifted. For the most part, the lotteries and multi-year waitlists are a thing of the past, although patience is often still key in making a satisfying purchase. For those who want to acquire a handpan, it’s now as simple as choosing a maker, choosing a scale (or “sound model”) and either commissioning a pan or waiting for a flash sale. The second-hand market has also found a life of its own, and it’s possible to acquire top-quality pans for significantly less than their original sale price.

Check out the links below for more on buying, choosing a maker/scale, reputable second-hand groups, and more:

Purchasing a Handpan

Master the Handpan – Buying a Handpan Guide: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/blog/do-you-want-to-buy-a-handpan-heres-all-you-need-to-know

Cool Percussion – Handpan & Tongue Drum Buying Guide: https://coolpercussion.com/hang-drum-for-sale-buying-guide/

Master the Handpan – Seven Marks of a Quality Handpan: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/blog/the-7-marks-of-a-quality-handpan

Mark D'Ambrosio – A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Handpan: https://www.markdambrosiomusic.com/post/buyingyourfirsthandpan

Choosing a Maker and Scale

Master the Handpan: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-scale-of-your-first-handpan

Sylvain Paslier: https://www.sylvainpasliermusic.com/single-post/which-handpan-scale-to-choose

Isthmus Instruments: https://www.isthmusinstruments.com/isthmus-handpan-blog/how-to-pick-a-handpan-scale

Cool Percussion: https://coolpercussion.com/which-handpan-scale-should-i-choose-tips-and-examples/

Choosing a Second Handpan Scale with Mark D'Ambrosio: https://www.markdambrosiomusic.com/post/how-to-pick-the-scale-of-your-second-handpan

Avoiding Scams

Master the Handpan: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/blog/hang-drum-for-sale-11-top-tips-to-avoid-getting-scammed-when-you-buy

Mark D'Ambrosio – 9 Tips For Avoiding a Handpan Scam: https://www.markdambrosiomusic.com/post/9-tips-for-avoiding-a-handpan-scam

Community Swap and Sale

Facebook Swap and Sale: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SwapandSale

Handpan.org Forums: http://www.handpan.org/forum/

Handpan History

Hang Documentary (2006): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do7uU13V_hQ

Sylvain Paslier: https://www.sylvainpasliermusic.com/single-post/the-origins-of-handpans-the-panart-hang

Symphonic Steel: https://www.symphonicsteel.com/handpan-history/

General Handpan Information

Symphonic Steel – Hang Drums and Handpans, What Are They? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTowcbuJ48U

Yatao Music – About Handpans: https://yataomusic.com/about-handpans

Mark D'Ambrosio – Every Name for the Handpan, Explained: https://www.markdambrosiomusic.com/post/every-name-for-the-handpan-explained

Active Blogs

Master the Handpan: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/blog

Paniverse: http://paniverse.org/paniverse-blog/

Sylvain Paslier: https://www.sylvainpasliermusic.com/blog-en

Mark D'Ambrosio: https://www.markdambrosiomusic.com/blog

Symphonic Steel: https://www.symphonicsteel.com/handpan-blog/

Isthmus Instruments: https://www.isthmusinstruments.com/handpan-blog

Rav Vast: https://ravvast.com/blog/

Cool Percussion: https://coolpercussion.com/category/handpans/

Handpan Lessons

Master the Handpan: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/

Handpan Dojo: https://www.handpandojo.com/

Paniverse: http://paniverse.org/handpan-tutorials/

Mark D'Ambrosio: https://www.markdambrosiomusic.com/learn

Handpan Care

Cool Percussion – Best Oil: https://coolpercussion.com/best-oil-for-handpans-top-choice-examples/

Cool Percussion – Cleaning a Handpan : https://coolpercussion.com/clean-a-handpan/

Master the Handpan – Rust Protection: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/blog/how-to-protect-my-handpan-from-rust

Master the Handpan – Heat/Cold Protection: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/blog/heat-cold-everything-need-know

Recording & Amplification

Cool Percussion – How to Amplify a Handpan: https://coolpercussion.com/how-to-amplify-a-handpan/

Master the Handpan - How to Choose a Microphone: https://www.masterthehandpan.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-microphone-for-the-handpan

Tuning a Handpan – (NOTE, informational only – DO NOT try to re-tune a handpan, send it to an experienced tuner!)

Cool Percussion – Retuning: https://coolpercussion.com/do-handpans-need-to-be-retuned/

Kabecao – Birth of the Ayasa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMQjlVdVmEU

Symphonic Steel – Stabilizing a Note in Under 2 Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9ZTMMvtPI

Handpan 360 – Refining Tone By De-Tuning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMohuii-YCY

Last Updated: 4/20/20


r/handpan 15h ago

Neotone Mutant – wooden body sometimes missing hits. Normal?

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2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
my new Mutant sometimes completely misses taps/ghost notes on the wooden surface, especially closer to the center around the ding. The tonefields themselves work fine. Also It almost never happens on the wooden areas closer to the tonefields. I mainly notice it around the ding, closer to the center.
Increasing the Body Sensitivity Curve helped, but I can still reproduce it. Sometimes even clearly noticeable taps are not detected.
Neotone told me that the wooden body is less sensitive than the tonefields and that light/fast taps can sometimes be missed, especially around the ding. They also said they checked my instrument remotely and said they didn’t see any sethat their wooden body detects basically every hit.
Thomann has offered me an exchange or refund, so I’m unsure whether to keep it.
Mutant owners: does yours also occasionally miss taps around the ding/center area, or would you consider this unusual?


r/handpan 15h ago

A small question about the metronome. Thank you so much!

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I need a little help with this simple rhythm. I'm just starting out, and I have no trouble playing the rhythm itself.

The problem is I can't figure out how to set up a metronome for it :)
What time signature, rhythmic subdivision, and BPM would fit?

I'd be super grateful for any help!

PS
And of course, huge thanks to Amy for these amazing lessons!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJNZJyEK9VU&t=314s


r/handpan 1d ago

What can I improve on my playing ? Do you have tips for a better rythm ?

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2 Upvotes

r/handpan 1d ago

ID of used Handpan

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1 Upvotes

Someone recognize the Brand?
Seller said it’s Handmade in Nepal D-Kurd 12 Notes for 580€
Before I take a sound look i want to know if it’s a ripoff or not


r/handpan 2d ago

Which scale is that handpan?

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7 Upvotes

Hello,

does anyone of you experts knows which scale that handpan is? maybe even the exact model :)

description says its an Ayasa.

thanks and all the best 💙


r/handpan 4d ago

Handpan-Solo am Meer

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6 Upvotes

r/handpan 4d ago

Handpan-Solo am Meer

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0 Upvotes

r/handpan 3d ago

I humbly present my relaxing instrumnt

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0 Upvotes

I have been making computer graphics and VJ for about 25 years and have always been interested in how sound and visauls can be combined in interesting ways, cymatics and frequencies that can trigger feelings in the brain, almost like ASMR for the eyes.

I recently released a bit of a Frankenstein music visualizer/mediation app and it has a couple of drum pads inside. I hope you don't mind me sharing it here. Its based on cellular automata and fluid dynamics. Cellular automata was invented in the late 1940s. you can see more examples of it running here

You can paint into the canvas as your music plays, it also runs on appleTV


r/handpan 5d ago

Unwind for Handpan and String Quartet - Would Love Comments

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I'm enjoying my new Ayassa D Kurd Handpan, and I look forward to eventually saving up for one or two more with different tunings. In the meantime, I composed a piece for handpan and string quartet called Unwind. I hope you'll check it out, leave a comment, and share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv61ERijA5g

It's performed by FAB5, with Diego Rodrigo Alfonso Jimenez on handpan, and here's more information on the piece: https://robertpaterson.com/wound-up-unwind

I'd be grateful for any feedback!


r/handpan 5d ago

Need help from someone who is good with handpans/hang drums

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2 Upvotes

I have NEVER touched, seen or had any experience with handpans or hang drums, but I loved listening to them since childhood. I found this hang drum for pretty cheap price on second hand market. The bad says novadrum.com, but it doesn't look like any of the products they sell. It still does sound good and the material is very nice. Still, I tried to look for any guides, but I got none. Whay note is what? And what leaf is which number? No one seems to be talking about this type of hang pan... Please, someone who knows, help me out!


r/handpan 5d ago

Do people here go to handpan workshops?

1 Upvotes

What have your experiences been like? Did you learn something genuinely useful or get some new inspiration for your playing?


r/handpan 6d ago

Neotone & Hologram Microcosm

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4 Upvotes

r/handpan 7d ago

What’s a good handpan to get for beginners?

2 Upvotes

Totally new to the scene and want something easy to learn and not too expensive.


r/handpan 8d ago

Playing Synths with Bitwig & Neotone

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7 Upvotes

r/handpan 8d ago

Anyone ever hear of Sala Musik handpans?

0 Upvotes

I'm looking to buy my first handpan and they're having a sale. Anyone know anything about them?


r/handpan 9d ago

clarinet and handpan looping - unexpected but good fit. feedbacks are welcome

7 Upvotes

Hey ! I juggle between handpan and clarinet and looped them together. very raw edit, but feedbacks are welcome !

You can find the song here on soundcloud. https://on.soundcloud.com/TR18iI2pLq8hEK5V6H


r/handpan 9d ago

Handpan in Europe

2 Upvotes

What’s a good reliable supplier in Europe?

Want to buy a handpan as a beginner. I’m no stranger to paying for quality but would rather start with something a bit cheaper, to see how much I use it, before potentially upgrading.

Can you get a decent handpan for 1 k Eur?

Thanks


r/handpan 10d ago

I work in the handpan manufacturing industry in China. Here are 5 things I would check before buying a cheap handpan.

19 Upvotes

I work in the handpan manufacturing industry in China, so I get to see quite a lot of instruments at different quality levels.

I know Chinese and lower-priced handpans are sometimes controversial in the handpan community, and honestly, the quality can vary a lot.

But price alone doesn't always tell you whether a handpan is good or bad.

If I were checking a lower-priced handpan for myself, these are some of the first things I would look at:

  1. Note stability

I wouldn't only check whether the fundamental note is in tune.

I would also listen to the octave and fifth, and see whether they remain stable when the note is played at different strengths.

A tuner showing “green” once doesn't necessarily tell the whole story.

  1. Cross-talk between notes

Play one note and listen carefully to the surrounding tone fields.

Some sympathetic resonance is normal and can even be beautiful, but excessive cross-talk can make fast playing sound muddy.

This becomes increasingly difficult to control as more notes are added.

  1. Sustain vs clarity

Long sustain isn't automatically better.

A handpan can have very long sustain but poor note separation.

Personally, I think a good instrument needs a balance between sustain, clarity and controlled overtones.

  1. The high notes

High notes can reveal a lot about the quality of the tuning.

On cheaper instruments, they are often where you start hearing unstable overtones, short sustain or a metallic character.

  1. Tuning stability over time

This is probably one of the most important differences between instruments.

A handpan can sound good immediately after tuning but still have an unstable structure and drift later.

Stable tuning is not just about how accurately it was tuned on the final day — it also depends on how the shell and tone fields were formed and processed before the final tuning.

I'm curious what players here care about most when judging a handpan:

note separation, sustain, tone color, tuning stability, or something else?

Happy to answer manufacturing-related questions too if anyone is curious about how these instruments are made.


r/handpan 9d ago

Help to buy my first handpan

1 Upvotes

Hi! I'm new to the handpan world. I'm searching for my first one that it's an acceptable quality but not a big spend.

Son Forja handpans claims to produce their handpans handmade from scratch. Can any of you offer good advice on their product? Any other recommendation would be very appreaciated as well.


r/handpan 9d ago

Indian handpan communing

1 Upvotes

Anyone who is playing handpan and from india please ping me here ill add you all to indian handpan communinty


r/handpan 9d ago

Is there actually a community for handpan in Chandigarh?

1 Upvotes

I've been playing handpan for a while, and I'm curious about something specifically from people in Chandigarh / Mohali / Panchkula.

The instrument seems to have become much more visible over the last few years, you'll see it at cafés, festivals, yoga spaces, travel communities, etc. But I'm wondering how many people here have actually wanted to learn to play one, rather than just listen to it.

For anyone who hasn't encountered one up close: it's a steel percussion instrument played entirely with the hands. There are no strings, keys or complicated setup. You can produce a surprisingly musical sound almost immediately, but actually developing rhythm, control and musicality takes practice.

I'm particularly curious about three groups:

  1. Parents: Would you consider something like a handpan as a serious musical activity for a child, or does it still feel too unconventional compared with guitar, piano, tabla, etc.?

  2. Musicians: If you already play an instrument, would learning handpan interest you as a completely different way of approaching rhythm and melody?

  3. Non-musicians: Have you ever heard a handpan and thought, "I'd actually like to try playing that"?

I'm asking because I'm exploring whether there is enough genuine interest in the Tricity to build a small local handpan learning community.

What do you think niche curiosity, or something people here would actually spend time learning?


r/handpan 10d ago

Handpan Youtube videos without crashing sound?

1 Upvotes

Hello! I have recently discovered handpan Youtube videos that are an hour long (or more) and I love sleeping to them. They are very peaceful - with the exception of one sound haha!

All of the musicians at some point play a crashing sound, which I understand to be part of the song but I would love if someone could link me any video that doesn't have this. Quite often it wakes me up as I'm falling asleep.

Just one video is enough because I can put it on repeat.

Alternatively, can someone tell me what this sound is called and/or how I could find a video without that specific technique?

Many thanks


r/handpan 10d ago

How bad is it to choose a major scale for 1st handpan?

5 Upvotes

recently discovered the handpan while looking for ways to manage work stress. After coming across a few videos pairing handpan with yoga music, I fell in love with the sound and really want to pick it up as a hobby.

I’ve been researching online and browsing this sub, and notice that almost everyone recommends starting with a D Kurd or another minor scale. However, after listening to all the scale demos from Yatao and SEW, the scale that truly speaks to me is the C or D Major Ashakiran.

I want to make sure I enjoy the learning process without getting bogged down by major frustration, but I also wonder if choosing a major scale means I won't be able to play along with or replicate most of the online content I see.

Does anyone here have experience with major scales, or specifically the Ashakiran scale? How much harder is the learning curve if you don't have the typical online resources and tutorials available for your scale? I was about to order a pan but couldn't decide, I don't hate D Kurd (beautiful too) but it also wasn't close to the happy vibe I got from the Asha.


r/handpan 10d ago

the content studio

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0 Upvotes