The handpan is a relatively new percussion instrument, but it has already made an impact on many musicians and music lovers around the world. The instrument’s appeal lies in its versatility and its ability to produce melodic and harmonic sounds as well as rhythmic ones. Whether you’re new to the handpan or already an experienced player, it’s important to work on your playing technique so that you can take full advantage of all the possibilities this instrument has to offer.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of handpan technique and give you some tips on how to improve your playing. We’ll look at how to hold the instrument, how to strike notes and produce sounds, and how to play scales. We’ll also look at advanced playing techniques, such as playing complex rhythms and musicality. Finally, we’ll give you tips on how to continue developing your technique and become a better handpan player. So, ready to become a handpan master? Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is a handpan and how does it work?
The handpan is a hollow-bellied percussion instrument that can rightly be mistaken for a flying saucer. The instrument consists of two half-shells made of steel or other metal that have been hammered and shaped by hand to create a series of notes. The handpan can be played standing up or sitting down, on the floor, on one’s own legs or on a specially adapted stand.
To produce sounds with a handpan, the player has to strike the notes with his or her fingers, palms or playing sticks. As you might expect, there are a number of different striking and pressing techniques. The handpan is capable of producing a range of melodic and harmonic notes, making it a versatile instrument that can be used to play music of many different kinds.
Why is playing technique important for the handpan?
Playing technique is important for the handpan because it allows you to take full advantage of all the possibilities offered by this instrument. By mastering the different striking techniques, you will be able to produce a wide range of sounds and notes, giving you the opportunity to play many styles of music and create original arrangements.
In addition, a good playing technique will enable you to play smoothly and musically, which is crucial to achieving good results when playing solo or in a group. It will also help you produce quality sounds and avoid mistakes and technical issues that might ruin your performance.
Finally, playing technique is important for the handpan because it allows you to develop your creativity and musical expression. By mastering the different playing techniques, you will be able to play more freely and explore new musical ideas. This will help you to progress as a musician and find your own way in the world of the handpan.
The basics of handpan playing technique
How do you hold the instrument?
To play comfortably and effectively, it’s important to know how to hold your instrument properly. Here are some tips on how to hold your handpan correctly:
- Sit comfortably and place the handpan in front of you. You can place the instrument on your thighs, on a stand or on a flat surface. If you place the instrument on your lap, make sure that the handpan is not in contact with other parts of your body. These could absorb the vibrations and reduce the intensity of the notes played.
- Make sure that your hands are at a comfortable distance from each other and that you can easily reach all the notes on the instrument. They should all be easily accessible in order not to restrict the instrument’s potential.
- It is important to note that each player has his or her own way of holding the instrument and that what suits one player may not necessarily suit another. The best way to find the playing position that suits you best is to practice and find out what suits you best.
How do you strike notes and produce sounds?
- Use your fingers, palms or drumsticks to strike the notes. You’ll need to vary the intensity of the impact depending on what you want the sound to be. For example, you can strike a note with your fingertips to produce a clear, crystalline sound, or with the palm of your hand to produce a deeper, lower-pitched sound.
- Experiment with the different notes on the instrument to find the ones that suit you best and produce the sounds you want to play. Each handpan is unique and has its own range of notes and sounds, so take the time to discover all that your handpan has to offer ( Please refer to our article “Advice on choosing your handpan“).
- Don’t give up! Practise regularly to improve your playing technique. The more you practise, the better you’ll become at playing your instrument. We’re convinced that after just a few hours’ practice, you’ll notice the difference. Your playing will become more fluid and more pleasing to the ear.
Additional advice:
- Listen to other handpan players and try to reproduce their playing techniques. This will help you discover new ways of producing sounds and playing the instrument.
How to play harmonics and scales?
Playing harmonics and scales is an important part of handpan technique. These exercises will help you develop your ear and dexterity, and get to grips with the different notes on the instrument.
Here are a few tips to help you play scales on your handpan:
- Start by learning the scale of your instrument (mainly D Minor on the handpan models we offer). This will help you familiarise yourself with the notes of the instrument and develop your musical ear.
- Pay attention to the accuracy of the notes you play. Make sure you hit each note precisely to get a sound that’s right and pleasing to the ear.
- Use metronomes if necessary to help you maintain a steady rhythm and work on your rhythmic accuracy.
As well as working on your scales, it’s also important to develop your sense of improvisation and the fluidity of your playing. To do this, you can :
- Learn some pieces from the repertoire or music compositions written especially for the handpan.
- Create your own compositions using the techniques and scales you have learned.
- Experiment with different styles of music and phrasing to find what suits you best and have fun playing.
To sum up, to become a better handpan player, it’s important to work on your harmonics and scales, but also to develop your ability to play songs and compositions and express your musicality.
Advanced handpan playing techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics of handpan technique, you can explore more advanced techniques to improve your playing and produce even more complex and interesting sounds.
Here are some advanced handpan playing techniques you can explore:
Slap techniques : using sweeping movements with your wrist, you can produce percussive sounds by striking the notes in a sharp and quick way. This technique is particularly useful for adding intensity and punch to your playing style.
Vibrato : by making the notes vibrate, you can give them more expressiveness and warmth. To produce a vibrato, you can use different techniques, such as sliding your fingers over the notes or waving your hand over the note you’ve just struck.
Slides : by sliding your fingers over the notes, you can produce smoother, more flowing sounds. You can use this technique to add coherence to your playing and to move smoothly from one note to the next.
How can I play the handpan with other instruments?
Playing the handpan with other instruments can be a very rewarding and creative experience. It allows you to discover new sounds and create original compositions by combining the different musical properties of your instruments.
Here are a few tips to help you play the handpan harmoniously with other instruments :
- The handpan is mainly used as a “background instrument”, creating a musical atmosphere and accompanying instruments that are more naturally present (piano, violin, guitar).
- Practise regularly with your fellow musicians to develop your synchronisation and precision. If you’re playing established tracks, make sure you know the sheet music (or keep it in front of you).
- Be creative and flexible by trying new things and adapting your playing to the needs of the composition. Improvisation is an important part of all handpan playing. Don’t be too hard on yourself and let the handpan work its magic.
To conclude
There are many advanced techniques you can explore to improve your playing and produce even more complex and interesting sounds. As well as working on your playing technique, it’s also important to continue developing your musical ear and creativity. Listen to music, reproduce the phrasing and playing techniques you hear, and try to create your own compositions using the different scales and techniques you’ve learned.