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What is a handpan?

hich is an instrument developed by the company PANArt that is based on the physical A handpan is a term for a group of handpan musical instruments that are classified as a subset of the steelpan. Several handpan makers and brands have emerged in recent years, resulting from a growing worldwide interest in the Hang, wproperties of the Trinidadian steelpan, Indian ghatam, Thai gong and Indonesian Gamelan etc.

The basic form of a handpan consists of two metal half-shells glued together, a centre tone field (named Ding) surrounded by a circle of at least seven tone fields on the upper side and an opening in the bottom side (named Gu). Differences between manufacturers include the used materials, the manufacturing processes of the raw forms, the shaping of the tone fields and the tuning methods.

The lens shape of a hand pot looks like a UFO, frying pan, or turtle shell. Half of the hand plate is a work of art and half is an instrument, commonly referred to as “sound sculpture”. Each hand pot is handmade and unique. You can see hammer marks left during the handmade process on the instrument.

Unlike the steel-drum shaped which is played with mallets, the handpan is played by hand. As a result, it produces softer sounds, almost like raindrops… Playing a single note activates several overtones (typically, the octave and the fifth above the octave). These overtones give handpans a magical and rich layered sound.

What are the benefits of playing the handpan?

Playing the handpan can bring you many benefits, both physical and mental. Here are some of them:

Playing the handpan can improve your mood and reduce stress. The soothing and relaxing sounds of the handpan can help you calm your mind and body, release tension and anxiety, and induce positive emotions. Playing the handpan can also stimulate the production of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that regulate mood, happiness and well-being.

Playing the handpan can enhance your creativity and self-expression. The handpan is an intuitive and versatile instrument that allows you to explore different melodies, rhythms and harmonies within a single musical scale. You don’t need to be classically trained or to know music theory to play the handpan. Each handpan is tuned to a single musical scale so there are no wrong notes, and no fear of doing it wrong! You can create your own musical language and express yourself freely through the handpan.

Playing the handpan can boost your cognitive skills and memory. Playing the handpan involves coordinating your hands, eyes and ears, as well as activating multiple areas of your brain. This can improve your concentration, attention span, spatial awareness, motor skills, auditory perception and memory. Playing the handpan can also challenge your brain to learn new patterns, sequences and techniques, which can enhance your mental flexibility and problem-solving skills.

Playing the handpan can foster social connection and communication. Playing the handpan can be a fun and rewarding way to connect with other people who share your passion for this instrument. You can join or form a handpan community, where you can exchange tips, experiences and feedback with other players. You can also collaborate with other musicians or artists from different genres and backgrounds, creating new musical possibilities and cross-cultural dialogues.

Playing the handpan can enrich your spiritual life and personal growth. Playing the handpan can be a meditative and transformative experience that can help you connect with yourself, nature and the universe. The handpan can be used as a tool for self-discovery, healing, mindfulness and transcendence. Playing the handpan can also inspire you to explore new perspectives, values and meanings in your life.

What are some playing techniques for the handpan?

Learning to play the handpan does not have to be hard. You can become a good handpan player very quickly if you learn and practice in
the right way. Here are some playing techniques that will help you master the basics of playing the handpan:

Find your optimal posture and position. Sit comfortably with the handpan placed on your lap or on a stand at a suitable height. Relax your hands,
arms and shoulders to achieve a fluid playing motion. Make sure you have enough space around you to move freely without hitting anything.

Learn how to strike properly. Experiment with different parts of your fingers (such as fingertips, nails or knuckles) to produce different tones
and sounds. Strike gently but firmly with a quick bouncing motion, letting the note resonate without damping it with your finger. Avoid hitting
too hard or too softly, as this may damage your instrument or produce unwanted noises.

Practice playing scales. Choose a simple scale to start with, such as the C Major or D Minor scale. Gently strike each note of the scale, paying
attention to the sound and resonance produced. Practice playing the scale up and down, gradually increasing your speed and accuracy.

Explore melodies and harmonies. Once you’re comfortable with playing scales, start exploring simple melodies within the chosen scale. Experiment
with ascending and descending patterns, and try to create melodic phrases using different combinations of notes. You can also play two or more
notes at the same time to create harmonies, such as octaves, fifths or thirds.

Develop rhythm and groove. Work on developing your sense of rhythm by incorporating rhythmic patterns into your playing. Start with basic rhythms,
such as a steady pulse or simple subdivisions. Gradually experiment with more complex patterns, syncopations and polyrhythms to add depth and
variation to your playing. You can also use the bottom side of the handpan (the Gu) to create a deep bass note or a percussive sound.

Focus on dynamics and expression. Explore the dynamic range of the handpan by practicing playing notes softly and loudly. Experiment with using
the sustain of the notes to create expressive phrases and emotional nuances in your playing. Pay attention to the subtle changes in touch and
pressure required to produce different dynamics.

Record and evaluate your progress. Record your practice sessions to listen back and evaluate your playing. Take note of areas where you can improve,
such as timing, accuracy or fluidity. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your achievements. You can also share your recordings with other
handpan players or listeners for feedback and encouragement.

Expand your horizons. Learn from experienced handpan players and seek inspiration from different genres and styles of music. Continuously challenge
yourself by incorporating new techniques, scales and rhythms into your repertoire. Be creative and have fun with your handpan!

Conclusion

The handpan is a wonderful instrument that can bring you many benefits and joys. Whether you want to play for yourself or for others, for relaxation
or for expression, for fun or for learning, the handpan can offer you endless possibilities. I hope this article has given you some useful information
and tips on how to play the handpan. If you want to learn more, I recommend you check out some online courses or tutorials that can guide you step by step through the process of playing the handpan.