Do you love the sound of the Handpan and have decided to buy one, but don’t know how to get started? It was a lot easier to get one back in the early 2000s, when the PANArt Hang® was created – the only model in existence at the time.

Since then, the instrument’s popularity has grown exponentially, and so has the demand. Eventually, PANArt ceased trading in 2013, and other manufacturers stepped in to create new instruments. Despite this, demand continued to grow and waiting lists increased, to the point where you sometimes have to wait between 1 to 3 years to get a Handpan.

Fortunately, it’s now easier and quicker to get a hold of this instrument, but it’s easy to get lost between the different handpans on the market : how do you choose your handpan according to the different technical specifications offered by the different models? What about price? What’s important to know before taking the plunge?

We’ll answer all these questions in this ultimate guide to buying a Handpan.

Where does the Handpan come from?

The Handpan is a percussion instrument belonging to the idiophone family. Invented in the early 2000s by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer, this saucer-shaped instrument is made up of two metal shells joined together to form a resonant drum.

The Handpan is the result of many years of research by its creators, who have refined its shape and materials over the years.

Presented to the public for the first time in 2001 in Frankfurt, Germany, the Handpan quickly gained immense popularity.

The Handpan’s sounds are crystal clear, deep, smooth and captivating. Its almost hypnotic tones, inspired by the Steel Pans, are widely used in holistic practices such as meditation, yoga and music therapy.

How does a Handpan work ?

The instrument consists of two metal shells bonded together.

On the top of the instrument you will find the ‘Ding‘. This is the central note of the instrument, while the other notes of the scale are arranged around it.

The Ding is a low, bass note.

The “Gu” is the resonance hole at the back of the instrument, allowing the notes to resonate.

How to play the Handpan ?

The Handpan has one undeniable advantage : it can be played by musicians and non-musicians alike.

You don’t need to know music theory, nor even the slightest notion of it. In fact, because the instrument is tuned to a single scale, it’s impossible to make a wrong note.

It’s easy to intuitively discover the instrument on your own. It’s even a good idea to explore the instrument and improvise your first melodies on your own, to get a better understanding of the sound process.

It can be played with the hands (hence the name Handpan), or with gloves or mallets. The sound will be warmer and longer if the instrument is played with the hands, while more succinct and precise if played with mallets.

As for posture, simply place the Handpan on your lap to start playing.

While it’s possible to start playing the handpan on your own, it’s advisable to take lessons so that you can progress and acquire solid fundamentals.

Which material for my Handpan?

Handpans are mainly made from two materials: stainless steel and nitrided steel. The latter is the most commonly used by manufacturers, although stainless steel is gaining in popularity because of its stability and greater resistance to rust.

How do you choose between the two materials?

Take your time to listen to both options, as the sounds they produce are very different.

Handpans in stainless steel ( or Inox 430 /441/4XX )

Their sound is warm, deep and rich in harmonics. Their sustain (the length of the notes) is longer than Handpans made of nitrided steel.

The advantage of a stainless steel handpan is that it is extremely durable and requires less maintenance than a nitrided steel handpan.

Nevertheless, you need to maintain your handpan regularly, and not forget to thoroughly wipe it dry after use.

Handpans in nitrided steel (or DC04 steel)

The sustain of a nitrided steel handpan will be shorter, so it will be easier to use nitrided steel handpans to play rhythmic parts, where precision is essential. As for the intensity of the sound, it is stronger, which means that nitrided steel handpans can be played outdoors.

Whether it’s made of nitrided steel or stainless steel, the handpan remains a fragile musical instrument, which tends to be oxidised by humidity when it’s stored and even played: during playing, skin contact with the steel also causes humidity, which contributes to its oxidation.

Thus, it is an instrument that will require a certain amount of maintaining, especially when it is made of nitrided steel.

Handpans made of nitrided steel are more sensitive to humidity, so they need more care and maintenance, and should be cleaned and waxed after each use.

If this factor puts you off, it’s best to go for a stainless steel handpan.

Which scale for my Handpan?

Handpans come in many different scales, each of them offering a unique sound experience. So it’s important to take your time and carefully listen to them to choose the one that’s right for you. Some scales express particular emotions, from joy to melancholy to escapist journeys.

It’s easy to find examples of the different scales available on the internet, on YouTube for example. There is no ‘best’ scale, but only the one that will resonate with you.

It’s important to wait until you’ve got a crush before you decide!

From a technical point of view, there are 3 different types of scales :

Handpans in major scales

This scale can be found in light-hearted music, such as anthems. It expresses feelings such as happiness and joy.

You can choose this scale if you want to express your good mood.

That being said, you may feel limited with this scale, as it won’t allow you to express anything other than joy.

Handpans in minor scales

A key for introspection, the minor scale is widely used in films to express intense, dark feelings, tension and mystery. It is therefore more widely used than the major scale.

Handpans in oriental scales

Oriental scales are instantly recognisable, and are an invitation to escape. They evoke Asia, inviting us to travel. Ideal for meditative environments, Handpans in oriental scales can be found in yoga or meditation classes to help people relax.

Once again, taking your time at this stage is very important. The scale you will choose will accompany you throughout your playing sessions, so it would be a shame to make a hasty choice.

When you listen to a scale, you will feel an emotion. You need to identify it. Is it a feeling of joy or sadness? Whatever emotion you identify, it’s important that it’s consistent with the feeling you’re looking for.

Take the time to select a few scales, leave your selection aside and come back to it later. Listening again will confirm (or not) your first choice. In any case, let your feeling decide for you!

Lastly, the most popular scale is D minor. It’s a favourite with beginners because it’s easy to play. It’s also widely said that this scale produces beautiful tones, neither too low nor too high, and quite easily. If this is your first purchase, this scale is highly recommended.

Which tuning to choose?

After the scale, another important criteria is the tuning fork of your handpan.

There are 2 distinct tunings: the 432 hertz frequency and the 440 hertz frequency.

The 432 hertz frequency does not allow a handpan player to play in a group : it is a free tuning dedicated to musicians wishing to use their handpan in the holistic sphere. It is even said that this frequency has healing properties …

If you want to play the Handpan with other musicians, you’ll need to use 440 hertz tuning. This is the universal pitch. By choosing a Handpan tuned to 440 hertz, you can be sure that you will be able to play or learn your instrument in a group. This can be an important factor to take into account if you want to take group Handpan lessons later on.

How many notes for my Handpan?

That’s not all, now you need to choose the number of notes on your Handpan, in other words its musical range!

There are several options available to you, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced in your playing.

The 9 notes Handpan

A 9 note handpan actually has 8 notes in addition to the “Ding”. This is the most common choice and is recommended for beginners. Once you’re comfortable with a 9 note handpan, you can move on to an instrument with 10 notes or more.

Handpan with 10 notes or more

Some Handpans have 10 notes or more. These models are intended for non-beginner handpan players who have already practised their playing on a 9 note Handpan.

The importance of sound quality

The quality of the Handpan lies above all in its sound, before its general appearance, its shape or its colour. When you try out your handpan (or alternatively, when you listen to its demo), listen carefully. Can you distinguish all the notes played? Is the whole sound harmonious?

When struck, the notes should emit a stable frequency, without variations or unpleasant vibrato.

The sustain, i.e. the duration over time of each note, must be long enough.

The notes must create a hypnotic effect when played.

It’s a good idea to check that the instrument is in tune. If you’re not accompanied by a professional, take along a tuner to test the Handpan’s tuning when the time comes.

It is also important to check that all the notes are in tune with the central “ding”. When the notes are played together, there should be no interfering noise or unwanted vibrations.

How much does a handpan cost?

If you’ve started doing some research on the Internet to find out how much a handpan costs, you’ll probably have noticed two things :

The first is that the handpan is a relatively expensive instrument, and not necessarily affordable to everyone.

You’ll need to spend around £1,000 for a brand new, hand-crafted instrument. So budget is an important factor to consider if you want to buy a handpan.

The second thing is that prices can vary by as much as double, ranging from £1,000 to £3,500 and sometimes reaching 5-figure amounts.

Why such a big price difference?

The cost can vary according to the number of notes the instrument has : you should expect to pay between £1,000 and £2,000 for a brand new 9-note handpan made by a reputable manufacturer.

For a Handpan with more notes, you will need to spend between £1300 and £3500.

Finally, if you want to buy a rare or customised handpan, prices can rise even higher.

Why not buying a second-hand Handpan?

Buying a second-hand handpan can be a solution if you don’t have a high budget. In that case, you’ll need to be patient and keep a regular lookout on the various second-hand sales platforms (Ebay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Handpan players’ Facebook groups, Rakuten, etc.).

You might be able to pick up a bargain! But be careful when buying second-hand, and even more so when buying a valuable instrument like a handpan… If you can, meet the seller and try out his Handpans.

In all cases, ask your seller as many questions as possible to make sure he or she is honest.

Why is a handpan so expensive?

Manufacturing

Making a handpan takes a lot of time!

Only experienced craftsmen can make quality Handpans. The process can take up to three months. The craftsman must first choose the right metal alloys, then shape the metal shell by hammering, press the notes, perform an initial tuning and finally apply several heat treatments. The two shells are then glued together, and the tuning completed. These steps are essential to the process, which can take several weeks.

That’s a lot of hours of work, which explains the craftsman’s salary and the price of your future Handpan.

Supply and demand

As the Handpan has become an extremely popular instrument, there is more demand than supply, driving prices skywards.

If there were mass production and it were easy to buy a Handpan in any music shop, then prices would inevitably be much lower. But that’s not the case (yet).

Shipping costs

If you buy your handpan over the internet, you may have to add substantial shipping costs. Rest assured, we offer free delivery on all our handpans!

How can I find a Handpan manufacturer?

There is a specialised directory of handpan professionals on the internet. Each vendor offers their instruments with details of scale, price, material and manufacturing time. This allows you to compare the offers from each seller and make your choice more easily.

Of course, don’t forget to find out more about the sellers by consulting their websites and the reviews of customers who have already used their services.

You can now buy your Handpan :

Directly from a manufacturer

Take the opportunity to meet a handpan manufacturer and try out the instruments on site. Not everyone gets the chance! The manufacturer will be able to advise you better than anyone else on the quality of their instruments, and you can ask them any questions you may have. Don’t forget to ask if any retuning is planned after purchase.

On the internet

Great news! For some years now, it has been possible to buy a handpan online. We still need to be careful when it comes to buying on the internet, but it’s not just when it comes to buying a handpan.

So pay close attention to where the instruments are made, and don’t be tempted by low-priced Handpans.

Make sure you feel confident before making this important purchase.

At a music shop

There are a few music shops in the UK that sell Handpans, but there aren’t many of them. One example is Medidian Handpan in Bristol.

Plan a quick road trip! This will allow you to test the instruments and check their tuning while benefiting from the advice of the sales staff in the shop.

A few tips for finding a Handpan easily

Join a waiting list

As we’ve seen, getting hold of a handpan isn’t always easy, and lead times can be very long, depending on the manufacturer. That’s why some manufacturers have waiting lists. So you can order the Handpan you want when it’s your turn. Waiting times can vary from a few weeks to several years depending on the manufacturer and its reputation.

Subscribe to manufacturer pages on social networks

Some Handpan manufacturers may offer flash sales, in which they put their unsold products on sale. It’s a good idea to subscribe to their page to be the first to know because it’s first come, first served!

Attend a Handpan festival

If the opportunity arises, take the chance to attend a Handpan festival! You’ll have the chance to meet other players and try out several Handpan models, so you can get to grips with the instrument before taking the plunge.

It can also be an opportunity to buy a second-hand handpan, as this type of gathering often organises sales between private individuals as well as exchanges of instruments between players.

Last but not least, you’ll also find craftspeople selling their available instruments.

To conclude

Although these days it’s not as easy to buy a handpan as it is to find a guitar, we’ve given you a few tips to help you making this tough purchase. Bear in mind that time is your ally if you don’t want to choose an instrument in haste and regret it a week later. A final word of advice: train your ears! Listen to as many models as possible before taking the plunge. You’ll be in a better position to make your decision if your ear is well honed.