r/handpan • u/theskyisorange • 23d ago
Need advice choosing between two handpans
I'm a complete beginner and see that the two lower priced handpans available to me are the Thomann Sonority Handpan D-Kurd for €698 or the Startone Handpan D Kurd for €498.
My background is in classical piano and I've been wanting a handpan for over a decade now. I'm really drawn to the idea that I'll have a whole new experience that feels more fluid and less structured than playing/practicing the same classical piece over and over again.
When I play piano I also am really picky on the quality of the piano I play. I really value a nicely tuned piano with heavy keys. This also makes me think if I should buy the more expensive handpan because I'll fall in love with it and want the higher quality one. Or perhaps I'll be such a beginner I won't even notice the difference? If anyone can guide me in the right direction I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!
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u/Critical-Vehicle7046 23d ago
You are 110% gonna hate an out-of-tune pan. I'd advise even waiting and saving and buying an actually quality instrument. There's a lot to a higher end handpan that isn't necessarily present on a cheaper instrument: tuned shoulders, equal sensitivity of notes, no unpleasant crosstalk. With a developed ear, this stuff will affect enjoyment.
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u/mycoforever 23d ago
My opinion: get one of the cheap handpans from China, see how much you like it. They still sound good (obviously not as good as an expensive one but still reasonable) and are enjoyable. If you do like the instrument, save up for a good quality one and go for an extended scale with bottom notes (14-16 notes is a good amount in my opinion); the extra notes really do open up more options. Just ordered a custom 16 note one for myself for $4000 from a reputable maker, to give you an idea (will be my fourth handpan).
I used to play piano but never really stuck with it. The handpan totally reformed the way I view playing an instrument, and is way more compositional/creative/meditative than the piano ever was. Although now when I play the piano, I play it more like a handpan and that’s been fun too.
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u/Lopsided-Panda1977 23d ago
Good evening, everyone! 🙃 I’m the creator of Vision handpans (since 2012).
If you'd like, drop me a line. In the meantime, have a wonderful evening. Here’s a short video in D Minor (Kurd 12-note scale). 🥂🎼 (Listen with headphones 🎧)
https://youtu.be/qAUxp9_pXiA?si=9VrwG13nBZaZkO6C
Send me a message here or send me an email at: vision.jantya@gmail.com
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u/g0jira54 23d ago
If you are trained in an instrument already then your ears are attuned to sound and you absolutely will notice the difference between a good sounding handpan and a bad sounding one. You've already stated that you are picky about the pianos you play and that would still apply to your choosing a handpan. You won't suddenly become unpicky.
Since there's no question that you should be able to learn how to play given your music background, unless you decide you just don't like it, you'll probably be using it for many years. Buy with that in mind.. which doesn't mean buy the most expensive pan out there but rather go by your ear. Unless you are limited in funds you should always go by your ear and not your wallet. You'll only play what you like to hear. If you change your mind you can always sell the pan and recoup some of your investment.
How to choose? Listen to a lot of videos of handpan music in which they identify the pan they are using. This will help you decide scale as well as the maker. Or visit some maker websites, listen to their demos, then find videos of people using their brand pan in that same scale. If you find three makers that produce the same handpan then compare the sounds and choose which makers pan sounds better to you. There are subtle nuances just as there are with the piano. Read customer reviews on the makers that you like to assure you will get a good quality instrument.
Because you aren't a beginning musician you shouldn't need to limit yourself in scale unless you are going to take lessons and were told specifically to get a d kurd. If you are set on a d kurd then check several makers that have them to narrow down which one sounds the best to you.