Handpan scales (2024)

FAQs

What is the most common scale in handpan? ›

The most common scales for a first instrument are:AmaRa (minor), Kurd (minor), Magic Voyage (minor), AnnaZiska (minor), Equinox (minor) and Pygmy (minor). The lowest center note (the ding) commonly found on these scales are: AmaRa: C # or D. Kurd: D.

In our opinion, a handpan should only have as many notes as the best sound quality warrants! Most handpans are built with 8 or 9 total notes on the top, and that would be our recommendation. Anything more can very quickly risk handpan sound quality.

Best Handpan Scales for Beginners:

For novice players, natural minor scale variations offer an ideal starting point due to their familiarity. The Kurd scale emerges as a top recommendation, with its rootedness in the D minor scale, making it accessible for creating melodies and harmonies.

Scales: C minor & C Minor Pentatonic

Below we have drawn out every shape across the fretboard for both scales (minor and pentatonic).

For beginners:

There is hardly any instrument that can be learned as easily as playing the Handpan. After learning the touch technique, which usually takes between 20-30 minutes, you can intuitively start playing right away.

The process of making a handpan

Many hours of work are needed to make this complex percussion instrument... All makers will tell you that, beyond the material and energy costs, it is above all the time spent and the quality of the handpan that justifies its price!

For a solid handpan with a standard number of notes (7-8) from a good maker: you should probably expect to pay no less than $1,000-$2,500 (new). For a 'top-shelf' make and/or for more notes: you're looking at around $3,000-$4,000 (new). For anything rare or custom: you can expect to pay more.

In conclusion, the handpan has emerged as a powerful tool for sound healing, with its unique and soothing sound offering numerous benefits for stress relief, emotional balance, and overall well-being.

“Handpans are like vampires!

Your instrument won't be damaged if it's exposed for only a short time, but it can be left permanently out of tune if it stays exposed for too long, especially when being played under direct sunlight.

What is the best key for handpan? ›

If you mainly want to play together with other people, a "D minor" Handpan is recommended. Classical scales are "Kurd", "Amara" or "Celtic Minor", "Mystic". This key is very popular and widespread in Western Europe, which makes it easy to play together.

#1 The Path of the Metal Turtle - David Kuckhermann

If you ask any handpan player today who is the greatest player of all time, David's name will come up again and again. And this is not without reason, the Grammy-nominated virtuoso has performed with some of the world's top talents including Dead Can Dance.

Also, the standard size of handpans is 18-23 inches, so a small handpan (mini handpan) can sometimes be the size of a tongue drum but still be much lighter. Both have their own unique sound. Since handpans are much more complicated to make, their price is much higher than tonge drums.

The Kurd scale is a full natural minor handpan scale, which means it has all the notes in the key of D minor. This is another popular handpan drum for beginners because it is Diatonic. The full scale allows for many minor and major chords to be played, making it fun to explore for any player.

The minor pentatonic scale is an amazing scale that can create stunningly beautiful riffs, runs, and melodies. It is a fantastic way to start improvising and exploring in minor keys because there are only 5 notes! If you don't know the minor pentatonic scale, I'm so excited for you.