Handpan Guide: History, Scales, Playing & Buying Advice

A handpan is a tuned steel idiophone played with the hands. Its notes are formed directly in shaped steel shells, so it is not technically a drum: unlike a drum, it has no stretched membrane. A responsive instrument can produce a clear fundamental, tuned overtones and a warm resonant sustain with a light, controlled touch.

This guide explains where the handpan came from, how it works, how to play it, how scales differ and what to check before buying. It also corrects a common confusion: Hang is the name of the original instrument developed by PANArt, while handpan is the broader term now used for related instruments made by many builders.

What Is a Handpan?

A handpan usually consists of two shaped steel shells joined around the rim. The upper shell carries a central note, commonly called the ding, surrounded by tuned tone fields. The lower shell normally has an opening called the gu, which contributes to the instrument’s air resonance. Builders may also add tuned notes to the lower shell.

The number of notes is not fixed. Many instruments have seven or eight notes around the ding, while extended models can have more. Layout, scale, shell material, nitriding or stainless-steel construction, tuning style and maker all affect response and sustain.

Hang and Handpan History

Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer of PANArt introduced the Hang in Bern, Switzerland, around 2000. Its development drew on their experience with steelpan and on research into instruments and acoustic ideas from several musical cultures. The name Hang belongs to PANArt’s instrument; it should not be used as a generic label for every handpan.

As access to the Hang became limited, independent makers began developing related tuned-steel instruments. The community gradually adopted the term handpan for this wider family. Modern instruments differ greatly in material, scale design, number of notes, surface treatment, sustain and tuning quality.

Is a handpan the same as a steelpan?

No. Both use tuned steel, and steelpan knowledge influenced the Hang’s development, but their construction, note layout, playing position and acoustic behavior differ. A steelpan usually has an open bowl and is commonly played with mallets; a handpan uses joined shells and is normally played with the hands.

How a Handpan Produces Sound

Each tone field is carefully shaped and tuned. A well-made field commonly supports a fundamental pitch plus selected partials, often an octave and a compound fifth. The notes also interact through the shell and enclosed air cavity. This coupling gives the handpan its characteristic blend of pitch, attack and resonance, but it makes tuning demanding.

Striking harder does not necessarily produce a better tone. Handpans respond to a quick release: the finger or hand contacts the surface briefly and rebounds, allowing the steel to vibrate freely. Excessive force can sound harsh and may contribute to detuning or damage.

Handpan Anatomy

• Ding: the central upper tone field, often the lowest principal note.
• Tone fields: tuned areas arranged around the ding; their number and layout vary.
• Shoulder or interstitial area: the steel between notes, which may provide percussive colors.
• Gu: the opening in the lower shell that supports a Helmholtz-type air resonance.
• Rim: the joined edge of the upper and lower shells.
• Bottom notes: additional tuned fields placed on the lower shell of some extended instruments.

How to Play Handpan

Sit comfortably and rest the instrument level on your lap or use a stable handpan stand. Keep the shoulders, wrists and fingers relaxed. Begin with light alternating strokes and listen for a clear response rather than trying to force volume.

1. Use the fingertip, finger pad or side of the thumb according to the sound you want.
2. Touch and release quickly instead of pressing into the steel.
3. Practice an even pulse while alternating hands.
4. Learn the ding and each tone field separately before combining patterns.
5. Add rests, dynamics, muted strokes and gentle percussive sounds.
6. Record yourself to check timing, balance and unwanted impacts.

There is no single universal playing method, but that does not mean technique is irrelevant. Controlled touch, efficient movement, rhythm and tone balance help protect both the player and the instrument. Rings, hard jewelry, sticks and aggressive slaps can scratch or detune the shell and should be avoided unless the maker explicitly approves a technique.

Beginner practice pattern

Choose three neighboring notes. Play right–left–right–left slowly, insert one beat of silence, then reverse the order. Keep every note equally clear. Once the pulse is stable, move the accent through the pattern and add the ding at the beginning of each cycle.

Understanding Handpan Scales

A handpan is normally built in a predetermined note set, so scale choice matters. Names such as D Kurd, Celtic Minor, Integral, Pygmy, Hijaz and Akebono usually describe tuning layouts or scale families, not different construction types. The same scale name can also vary between makers, so always inspect the actual note list.

• Minor-oriented layouts often suit reflective melodies and intuitive chord shapes.
• Major-oriented layouts can feel open and bright but still support subtle music.
• Hijaz-type layouts use a characteristic interval pattern; accurate tuning and culturally informed phrasing matter.
• Pentatonic layouts offer fewer pitch clashes and may feel approachable to beginners.
• Extended layouts provide more notes but add cost, weight, technical demands and possible acoustic interaction.

There is no universally “best” scale. Consider the music you want to play, whether you will improvise alone or with other instruments, the range you need and whether lessons or learning material exist for that layout.

Nitrided Steel vs Stainless Steel

Nitrided steel

Nitrided steel handpans often have a focused attack and controlled sustain. The hardened surface can resist some wear, but the instrument still needs protection from moisture and impacts. Characteristics vary considerably by alloy, forming and maker.

Stainless steel

Stainless-steel models often offer longer sustain and good corrosion resistance, which many players enjoy for slow melodic playing. They are not maintenance-free, and prolonged sustain can make fast or dense passages less clear. Material alone does not determine quality.

How to Choose a Handpan

• Verify every note: listen softly and at moderate volume for clarity, stability and unwanted buzzing.
• Check balance: one note should not overwhelm or disappear beside the others.
• Listen to the partials: octave and upper components should support rather than fight the fundamental.
• Test dynamic response: the instrument should speak under a light touch without collapsing when played moderately.
• Confirm the exact scale: ask for the tonic, full note list, reference pitch and number of upper and lower notes.
• Assess sustain and cross-talk: resonance is desirable, but excessive interaction can blur melodies.
• Research the maker: look for clear contact details, consistent recordings, warranty terms and retuning support.
• Budget for protection: a fitted hard or semi-rigid case is important for transport.

When buying from a video, use a recording made without heavy reverb, compression or background music, preferably with a reference microphone position and separate demonstration of every note. A beautiful finish cannot compensate for unstable tuning or poor response.

Handpan Care and Retuning

Store the instrument dry and avoid prolonged exposure to rain, salt air, extreme heat or a hot car. Wipe it with a clean, soft cloth after playing and follow the maker’s instructions for any protective oil. Products suitable for one surface treatment may not suit another.

Transport the handpan in a fitted case, but do not leave a damp instrument sealed inside. Do not place luggage on the shell. If a note begins to buzz, drift or lose balance, contact a qualified handpan tuner; reshaping tone fields without the necessary tools and training can make the problem worse.

Handpan, Tongue Drum and Tank Drum

These instruments are sometimes confused. A handpan has hammered or pressed tone fields formed in steel shells. A steel tongue drum or tank drum creates notes with cut tongues. Tongue drums can be durable and accessible, but their attack, sustain, layout and tuning behavior differ. Neither category is automatically better; they serve different sounds, budgets and playing styles.

Can You Play Handpan With Other Instruments?

Yes, provided the tunings are compatible. Check the handpan’s reference pitch—often A=440 Hz, though alternatives exist—and compare its fixed notes with the harmonic material of the ensemble. Guitar, oud, ney, voice, strings and percussion can all work, but players must leave space for the handpan’s sustain and limited chromatic flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a handpan easy for beginners?

It can be welcoming because the fixed scale reduces many dissonant combinations. Producing an occasional pleasant phrase is easy; developing consistent tone, timing, hand independence and musical structure still requires practice.

How many notes does a handpan have?

There is no fixed number. Many have a central ding plus seven or eight upper tone fields, while extended instruments may include additional upper or lower notes.

What is the hole under a handpan called?

It is generally called the gu, not “gudur.” It contributes to the instrument’s air resonance and can also be used for selected percussive effects.

Does a handpan need tuning?

Yes. Its notes can drift after impacts, aggressive playing, heat exposure or normal long-term use. Retuning intervals vary, so follow the maker’s advice and use an experienced tuner.

Why are quality handpans expensive?

Forming, heat treatment, note shaping and tuning require skilled labor, specialized tools and repeated adjustments. More notes and difficult layouts generally increase the work. Price alone, however, does not guarantee quality.

Explore Handpans

Compare the scale, exact note list, material, sustain, weight, case and retuning support before deciding. Browse Sala Muzik’s handpan collection and contact us if you need help matching an instrument to your preferred sound or experience level.