Frequently asked questions Handpan

A handpan is a very accessible musical instrument that you will enjoy for years to come.

It’s easy to learn how to play it and it’s an intuitive instrument. That means that it already sounds beautiful when you play purely by ear, without any sheet music or music knowledge. The tones of a handpan are composed in a way that the instrument always sounds good. In fact, playing out of tone isn’t possible. A handpan is therefore an ideal musical instrument for beginners. But it is nice to know that this instrument also remains a challenge for the more experienced player. The possibilities to play the handpan are endless, because you learn to play increasingly complex melodies through experience and by learning new techniques. You can play all conceivable music with a handpan. A further benefit is that the sound of a handpan has a very calming effect. Playing the handpan gives you a wonderful relaxed feeling. That is why it is a popular instrument for people and therapists who are involved in meditation, yoga, meditation, mind fulness, etc. In addition, it is an instrument that takes up little space and is easy to carry. Read all about Learn to play the handpan.

The handpan has evolved from the Hang®. The Swiss steel drum manufacturer PANArt invented this instrument. A handpan is made of two steel shells that are glued to another. The manufacturer hammers a composition of different note fields in the trays. Together they form a music scale. Each playing surface is uniquely shaped and balanced to give it its own tone and resonance. On the page What is the origin of the handpan? we explain this manufacturing process in more detail. Want to learn more about the different types of handpans and the materials they are made of? Go to Choose the best handpan.

The handpan is a metal musical instrument made out of two connected shells, which you play with your hands or rather, with your fingers. The instrument has several note fields. Together they form a scale, for example minor or major. Each tone sounds beautiful on its own, but the different tones resonate together beautifully, creating a unique, mesmerizing sound. The handpan even sounds beautiful when you play it purely on intuition, but it is also possible to learn techniques so that you are able to play different styles. Just play handpan music or well-known songs? Or compose your own music or melodies? Everything is possible! Also see the answers to questions 1 and 2 or read our pages: Learn to play the handpan and What is the origin of the handpan?

Absolutely! We organise enjoyable handpan workshops in which you learn how to make your handpan sound beautiful, to play a few rhythms and how to improvise.

Read all about our Handpan Workshop. It is also possible to follow handpan lessons, you can find more information about this on our page Learn to play the handpan.

Many different terms and variations are being used for these kinds of musical instruments. Regarding the sound, a handpan sounds most similar to the sound of a steel drum. However, a handpan has a much more intense and warmer sound, fuller and more melodic. There is also a difference in the way you play the instrument: a steel drum is played with sticks and a handpan with your hands. Well, with your fingers, actually.
 

Because the handpan was difficult to obtain at a certain point, people were looking for (affordable) alternatives. By making drums with the help of machines, it takes less time to manufacture these instruments and for that reason they are normally less expensive. Although sometimes these are being seen as a handpan, this is incorrect. The quality is incomparable. The same applies for the unique character of the handpan with it’s rich, profound sound. The handpan also offers considerably more playing options. Those alternative instruments have names such as hang drum, handpan drum and handpan tongue drum and usually are bastardisations of the name handpan.

The names Hang® and Hang Drum are often confused with another. The handpan is based on the Hang® instrument. This instrument was designed by Felix Rohner and Sabina Scharer of the Swiss company PANArt, a steel drum manufacturer. They named this instrument Hang®. When the patent expired, other builders started making handpans based on the Hang®. Hang Drum is an incorrect name that people have created by combining the name Hang with the word drum.

Finally, sometimes also the term “hand drum”is used, but that is a completely different type of musical instrument. And Spacedrum® is a brand name of a certain type of handpan.

Due to its enormous craftsmanship, the Chaya^® handpan is one of the best-selling handpans. They are simple and intuitive to play. Also, they are known for their high quality, perfect tuning and beautiful sound. A handpan with a unique character and a harmonious and warm timbre. In addition, Chaya^® offers a wide range of metals and scales. Proud endorsers of the Chaya^® handpan are, among others, Martin Verdonk, Femke Krone, Cora Crotz, Fabian Kupper, Kasper van der Meulen and Boudine van Slobbe.

That depends on several factors. A high-quality handpan has a lot of flexibility in the note fields and is tuned excellently. As a result, it is much more stable and can 'endure' much more than less expensive handpans. Also, the way and frequency of playing are decisive factors. Someone who plays 'firmly' will have to retune their handpan faster. Obviously,

a proper maintenance is as well very important to keep your handpan in good condition. The handpans sold by us are of such quality that the handpan only needs to be retuned every three to five years, depending on use and maintenance.

We have handpans for sale in our Webshop, as well as in our store in Bunnik, near the city of Utrecht in The Netherlands (by appointment only, so that we are sure that we reserve enough time to help you make the right choice).  However, if you are interested to try different types of handpans before you make your choice, we offer an orientation session.

This special method of purchase guidance with an handpan expert, ensures that you leave the store with a unique handpan that suits you completely and you will enjoy for years to come. If you buy a handpan, the orientation session will NOT be charged.

Originally coming from Switzerland, the handpan is based on an instrument called Hang®, designed by Felix Rohner and Sabina Scharer of the Swiss company PANArt. They gave this instrument the name Hang®. In the dialect of the Swiss city of Bern this means ‘hand’.

After a long study to metal instruments, the Hang® was introduced in the year 2000. When the patent expired, they stopped manufacturing the Hang® and started making the Hang® Gubal. Other manufacturers then switched to make handpans based upon the Hang®.

Brands as Octopus, Samasta, Ukiyo, Convex, Vivre, IONIS en Chaya are easily accessible handpans for beginners. Would you like to try the different brands of handpans in order to see which one fit’s you the best? Then please book our orientation session!

Absolutely! Take a look in our Webshop to discover which used handpans (handpan drums) we have for sale. Preferably contact us. Not all of our used or lesser quality handpans are being offered in the Webshop.

Building a handpan is craftmanship and is being done by hand. The manufacturing process is time-consuming and there are only a few quality builders. This makes a handpan costly. On the other hand, it is an instrument that can be enjoyed by the whole family for years to come. If good maintained even for generations! The handpan must be retuned every three to five years, but will sound as new after the retuning. So, you can call it a very sustainable instrument.

We recommend beginners to choose at least eight note fields and preferably no more than nine (not counting the root tone). That is enough of a challenge. Nowadays the number of tones fields, called pads, varies from eight to twenty. Nine pads are the standard. This means one note field on top of the handpan (the Ding) and eight note fields around it. Sometimes this is also indicated as “8+1”. With the higher scales there is more room on the handpan for extra note fields. As a result, a ten-pad handpan has the same capabilities as a nine-pad handpan, but with one higher tone for a more melodic range. More than ten pads are also possible. This number can be achieved, for example, by adding note field to the bottom of the handpan. You can find a lot of information about the number of pads at Choose the best handpan.

Bottom pads will give you more options. However, it requires more technique and knowledge about which notes fit together. It can be a wonderful addition for advanced players. We recommend starting players a handpan with only note field on the top. Unless they consciously want to purchase a handpan that gives them extra options in the future in mind, when they became an advanced player. You can find more information about bottom pads at Choose the best handpan.

Learning to play the handpan is relatively easy. You don't need any musical knowledge, talent or musical background! Just 'liking it' is enough to get off to a good start. Playing is easy and quick to learn for everyone. The tones of a handpan are composed in a way that the instrument always sounds good. In fact, playing out of tone isn’t possible. A handpan is therefore an ideal musical instrument for beginners. It is also a perfect instrument to play intuitively, which means that it already sounds beautiful when you play purely intuitive. Another benefit is that the sound of a handpan has a very calming effect. The best thing, however, is that the handpan offers enough challenge to keep taking your music to a higher level. Read all about Learn to play the handpan.

The prices of handpans are fluctuating extremely. De price depends, among other factors, on the material that is being used, the number of note field and the builder.

The most decisive is the quality of the instrument and the possible availability of bottom pads. In our handpan webshop and store you will find a wide assortment of handpans in different price ranges. We love to advise you, so feel welcome to contact us.

In Europe we offer the biggest collection in handpans. We are happy to daily welcome customers from all over Europe, and even from other continents. In our assortment you will find a large range of materials, brands, note field en manufacturers. We offer unique handpans of high quality, but also lots of less-expensive possibilities for people with a smaller budget. Because we can’t place all lower priced and used models in our webshop, we strongly recommend you to call of e-mail us for our actual stock.

A handpan is a very personal instrument. The used material, the size, the manufacturer, the note field…. all factors that define the sound and possibilities of a handpan. To determine what’s best for you is therefore quite personal. We offer you the opportunity to compare the different kinds of handpans. You may try, listen, feel, and ask questions, so that you will find the handpan that is perfect for you. Make an appointment and attend our unique orientation session or read more about Choose the best handpan.

In our handpan webshop you can easily buy a handpan online. However, experience has us that the best way to choose a handpan is to try, listen and experience them yourself. After all, every handpan is unique and the available assortment to choose from is huge. If possible, we strongly advise you to make an appointment to visit our store. We offer a professional purchase guidance with our so-called orientation sessions. In all tranquillity, you will be able to try all the different handpans. Still want to purchase a handpan online? Feel free to call us. We are happy to advise you over the phone.

Read more about Handpan care and maintenance.

The HandPanShop is located in Bunnik (visits by appointment only) (naar pagina Contact). Our store can be reached easily by car (A12, free parking) and by public transport. From railway station Utrecht CS, you travel in 10 minutes to Bunnik and there is a train leaving every 10 minutes. As of Bunnik station it is a 12-minute walk to the store. If you want, we can pick you up at the station!
 

HandPanShop

Veilingweg 42
3981 PC Bunnik (by appointment only)
Phone: +31 (0)6 4592 2966

The cost of a handpan or hand drum starts at 800 euros. However, the prices of handpans and hand drums vary greatly. The cost of a handpan/hand drum depends on factors such as the material used, the number of tone fields and the manufacturer. The most significant factor is the quality of the instrument and the possible presence of bottom notes. For example, the price of the unique Chaya handpan starts at 2.300 euros, while the IONIS handpan made of nitrided steel costs approximately 1.600 to 1.700 euros. The cost of a steel tongue drum starts at 195 euros and goes up to around 565 euros. In our webshop and in our handpan store in Bunnik, near Utrecht, you will find a wide and diverse range of handpans in various price ranges. We are happy to advise you, so feel free to contact us!

The size of a handpan ranges between 50 and 60 centimetres (in diameter). However, 90% of the handpans sold in Europe have a size of 53 cm. They are between 25 and 30 centimetres in height. However, there are increasingly more non-standard sizes available. For example, the mini handpan, which is ideal for travel and can be used as a children's handpan. This mini handpan has an average diameter of 40 cm. It's also very convenient for people with shorter (upper) legs. 

The most suitable scale for you, can be best determined by hearing and experiencing various scales by yourself. For this purpose, we have developed our orientation session. If you like to read more about the handpan and it’s different scales in advance, you will find a lot of information on the page 'Choosing the Best Handpan' and in our blog 'Choosing the Right handpan scale'.