Best Beginner Handpan | A Guide to Choosing, Playing, and Cost

Handpans, mesmerizing steel instruments that produce charming tunes, have become extremely popular among music fans. If you’re a beginner looking to start with the handpan, you’ve come to the perfect place. This tutorial will walk you through selecting the best beginner handpan, understanding the complexities of handpan music, and discovering resources for your musical journey.

What Is A Handpan Instrument?

The handpan instrument, commonly known as Hang, is a steel-based instrument that may resemble a UFO. However, once you’ve heard its music, you’ll never forget the peaceful and soothing sensations it provides for your ears. The instrument comprises two convex steel plates that are round. Both are joined with rims. As a result, you get a hollow cavity inside them with a hole in the bottom.

When you tap or hit the surface, the steel emits a sound reverberating throughout the instrument. The hollow space inside magnifies any light tap on the steel surface. Its surface also features dents for different tones in different regions, known as notes. Each note has a diverse effect.

What Does A Handpan Cost?

The handpan cost varies based on the material, brand, design, and procedures used to produce it. Prices typically range from £15 for a low-cost pan and £3500 for a magnificent steel high-quality instrument.

When you acquire a cheap instrument, it becomes clear that it was not the ideal decision because it was manufactured of low-quality metals. Check out the purchase guide below to possess one of these beautiful instruments.

Guide To Buying Handpans For Beginners

1. Om Handpan

The Om hand pan has rubber feet on the bottom to provide additional stability while playing. This feature lets you focus on your music without worrying about your handpan sliding around. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced musician, the handpan with accessories is an excellent option.

With its sleek Gheri travel bag, two beaters, and rubber feet for stability, you’ll have everything you need to begin your musical journey.

2. Saraz Handpan

Saraz is a well-known firm in the handpan community, particularly for its unique stainless steel pans, which are nitrided and available in different scales and note variations. Their website also sells multiple accessories, including microfibre cloths, carry cases, soundpan rust wax, rain covers, EVA pads, and more.

3. MERAKI Handpan

Meraki Handpans, an Italian company, manufactures steel handpans in various scales.

4. AYASA Handpan

Ayasa Handpans are renowned for their remarkable instruments. Their handpans are crafted from high-quality steel. The two key design distinctions are the Ember steel class, which features a rounded sustain, ceramic-like sound, rust protection, increased stability, and patina temperature colors ranging from bright gold to purple or blue.

The Stainless AISI 430 class features a 1mm nitrided steel shell, allowing for a deeper, more sustained sound. They also sell various accessories, including tuning hammers, tuning sticks, phoenix oil for rust protection, and scotch brite ultra fine for dirt and rust removal.

5. Professional Handpan

These professional hardpans are available in two sizes: A scale with the following progression. A, C, D, Bb, G, E, D, F, A, and G scale variations follow the next progression: G, Eb, D, F#, A, C, D, Bb.

6. AURA Hanpan

Aura Handpans are noted for their sound quality, diverse color possibilities, and many series for musicians at different stages of development. These series include the starter series Azure, Pantam, and Resonance.

There are minor distinctions between each series, and prices span from the low to the high end but are primarily determined by aesthetics. Each handpan is produced by hand and subjected to rigorous quality control to ensure it reaches the highest standards. Aura Handpans have a warm and balanced sound, making them ideal for beginners and expert musicians.

Best Beginner Handpan

GUDADRUM, Freezbee Sri Yantra

GudaDrum is an extraordinary premium-class percussion musical instrument with an unequaled handcrafted design and meticulous attention to detail. It is a steel tongue drum with clean, warm, and balanced wood overtones, producing a distinct “dry” sound free of distortion and metallic tones sometimes heard in cheaper steel drums. The instrument can be played with either fingers or hammers.

It weighs about 4 pounds (2.0 kg) and has a thin profile of only 3.3 inches (8.5 cm), making it ideal for outdoor concerts. You can play with either your fingers or hammers. The GudaDrum sounds excellent with other melodic instruments and percussion, including older GUDA versions. This makes it a fantastic alternative for those learning to play this instrument.

• Scale: A C D E F G A C.
• Rope decorations are included.
• Material: stainless steel.
• Handmade engraving is available in custom sizes and designs upon request.
• Diameter 14.7 inches.

PROS

• The sound is vibrant and wonderful.
• Unique and aesthetically attractive design
• The device is meant for outdoor use; it’s lightweight and easily portable.

CONS

Not notified

AS TEMAN Handpan, D Minor

AS TEMAN. Handpans are on the more expensive end of the inexpensive market, but they are worth the investment if you want more than a simple design. There are 12 dynamic design possibilities to select from here.

The 22-inch AS TEMAN Handpan D Minor drums are made of fire-treated nitrogen steel. The steel has been embellished, and the drum is sealed with an elegant braided rope. AS TEMAN®’s sophisticated tuning processes and craftsmanship ensure long-lasting, high-quality sound.

Handpans are increasingly used to express one’s personality thanks to world-class, distinctive, trendy designs. When you purchase the two-piece drum, you also receive a carry bag, stand, cleaning cloth, and mallet. Essentially, you get everything you need in one convenient bundle.

Our Advice:

We recommend purchasing this as a starter pan and upgrading to a better one if you enjoy it.

• Tuning: D Kurd Minor.
• Notes: A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G, A.
• Size: 22″
• Weight: 17.26 pounds.

PROS

• It is an excellent, affordable alternative.
• It’s an excellent way to learn to play without spending much money on the instrument.
• It comes with a stand to hold it.

CONS

• Tones are less rich and resonant.

Novapan’s Handpans

Novapan Handpans are among the most immersive and intuitive musical instruments available. The 9 and 12-note stainless steel handpans produce a beautiful, angelic sound suitable for any occasion.

The D Kurd scale in 9 notes is ideal for novices, while the E Kurd scale in 9 notes is ideal for individuals who prefer a somewhat higher pitch.

The higher tuning in E gives this handpan an even more noticeable and perhaps even more “angelic” tone. The soft cases with handpans are ideal for touring musicians or those looking to keep their instruments safe.

The sturdy cases supplied separately are ideal for people who require additional protection for their handpan. Novapans are available in both 440Hz and 432Hz tuning. The Generation 4s are equipped with a busking microphone and stool. Novapan Handpans are ideal for both beginners and experienced musicians.

PROS

• Affordable.
• Pretty.
• Loud and vibrant.

CONS

• There is a missing deep, powerful bass note.
• Not a lot of overtones.
• Because of the long sustain, playing it quickly can get muddy.

Learn With Us Handpan Lessons Today

Start your musical adventure with the best beginner handpan at Navasaz Academy. Improve your rhythmic skills and learn the art of handpan playing. Dive into the soulful tunes with ease. Join us today and embark on a harmonious experience. Hold your handpan and let the music begin!

Common Questions | Handpans For Beginners

Why is a handpan so expensive?

A new one often costs $1,000 or more. The handpan cost is high due to the significant demand vs supply. These hanpans are challenging to construct or mass-produce. Few extremely competent professionals make them by hand. Hence, they are more expensive.

Is learning the handpan difficult?

Handpans are simple to learn. The first few times, you may need help understanding the notes. However, it will only take a few weeks once you’ve started. There are numerous courses accessible on the internet that can teach you in 20 hours of lectures.

How do you maintain the handpan?

You can use oil to preserve them against rust. However, contact your manufacturer beforehand, as some handpans do not perform well when oiled.
Use a clean cloth to remove dust, stains, or wetness. Using a microfiber cloth would be the ideal solution.

Rubbing alcohol can also remove stubborn stains, grease, and spills.
Remember to wipe the insides with a cloth or isopropyl. You can use a blower to dry the inside and reduce the likelihood of rust.