Learn to play the handpan - instructions for beginners
Every handpan is unique. Just as you have found friends that match your personality, interests and style, a certain number of characteristics will come together to find your "ideal" handpan. This is wonderful and offers us a lot of variety, but it is also the reason why it is impossible to say with certainty that one handpan is better than another or that a particular manufacturer is the best. So once you have found your handpan, the guide " Learning to play the handpan - instructions for beginners " will help you.
Learning to play the handpan is less complicated than you might think. For this reason, the handpan is ideal for beginners . It will slowly immerse a beginner in the music, while at the same time playfully weaving in patterns of music theory. To make learning the handpan easier, you can use resources on the Internet or download our free PDF, in which you can see the most important things summarized in just a few pages.
This article “ Learning to play the handpan - instructions for beginners ” is about this topic. What is the best way to learn to play the handpan , which approach is intuitive or more theoretical and what do you have to consider when you hold a handpan in your hand for the first time. It will be interesting for you, so stay tuned!
Learning the handpan - that's what matters!
First, let's clear up any confusion about what a handpan is. In short, a handpan is a steel instrument that is played with the hands. It consists of two metal shells that are joined together to create a resonating chamber. Although this is a very simple explanation, it actually takes a lot of skill and craftsmanship to build the instrument that you've probably already fallen in love with. Now comes the next step... Being able to play the handpan . Our handpan playing guide should help you with that!
The good news is that since this instrument is still relatively new to the world, you're practically an early adopter! And whether you're already a multi-instrument player or you're just getting started with a musical hobby for the first time, we can recommend two fantastic resources to guide you on this incredible journey. They'll make learning the handpan a breeze. You'll be playing handpan songs in no time !
Firstly, we are happy to present the first handpan book that you can order in PDF and that has been translated into German! The handpan method has been described for a wide range of abilities and includes the terminology you need to know, techniques and methods for playing and even some handpan songs .
Secondly, we recommend that you watch lots of handpan videos . On various YouTube channels you can find handpan demonstrations, listen to the scales, and watch “ how to ” videos. This will give you lots of inspiration to motivate you to take your first steps and create your own handpan songs .
Learn to play handpan - it's never too late or too early
That's true and we can assure you of that. You could give your preschool kids a handpan and they'd start experimenting with it. Beautiful sounds are created purely intuitively, because you simply can't play the wrong notes on this instrument. And let's be honest, there's nothing worse than xylophones or shrill flutes that can ruin your day. In contrast, handpans, steel tongue drums and kalimbas have a very pleasant sound and can train little ear canals musically in a wonderful way.
On the other hand, older people and people who live under a lot of stress can also benefit from the healing effects of the sounds of a handpan. Almost everyone can identify with the emotional healing effects of music when they hear it. In addition, sounds can also be used in the treatment of serious mental health problems such as anxiety, chronic stress and depression. You can either listen to someone playing the handpan or learn the handpan yourself . Then you have it available at any time to cheer yourself up with your own handpan songs . Playing the handpan is a matter of getting started and not of age or musical ability. A handpan is best suitedfor beginners !
Learn Handpan for beginners - the simple Handpan playing guide
Handpan for beginners/ learning to play the handpan is no problem and anyone can do it, as we discussed before, and with our handpan playing instructions .
First, you should understand the basics of this instrument. Each handpan instrument is tuned to a specific scale. This can be a Celtic minor scale, a D minor scale or an F Akebono minor scale, there is no obvious difference when playing the handpan , apart from the sound. It all depends on how you use your two hands to play the scale. Here is a hint on how to play the scale when learning to play the handpan :
- First, try playing the middle note, called the “ding,” with one hand.
- Once you've started, find the second biggest note on the note field that surrounds the ding field. You can play this with your second hand.
- Now it's the first hand's turn again! The (third largest) note on the left is next.
- Then the (fourth largest) next note comes on the right side with the second hand.
You will soon be able to hear how the scale is constructed and how you can play it up and down. Experiment with these patterns and soon you will be able to move on to the next level. You should definitely order and download the free PDF from sonodrum.net : The best handpan playing guide you will find in German.
Handpan for beginners - these are the most important aspects for a good handpan!
After years of watching, listening, and maybe even becoming slightly obsessed with the handpan, you've decided to get your own! You also know that the handpan is suitable for beginners in music and that you can quickly start playing the handpan . After years of watching, listening, and maybe even becoming slightly obsessed with the handpan, you've decided to get your own!
But what aspects should you consider when buying and playing music for the first time? Which handpan for beginners could we recommend? Made of nitrided steel? Stainless steel? How much should you spend? Here we guide you through the five simple steps to ensure you make the right choice.
1. Choose the number of sound fields/ layout
You should decide how many notes you want on your instrument. The number of options can be quite confusing, so for the sake of clarity we would advise the following: If you want a special layout (extra notes, lower notes, a non-traditional layout, etc.), then talk to a handpan maker about it. They will be able to give you an insight into all your options and suggest what might be the best choice for you. If all of this is too much for you, we would generally advise you to keep it simple and start with nine sound fields plus the ding field.
2. Choose the right scale for you
What scale should your handpan be tuned to? Since handpans are not chromatic instruments (like a piano), the choice of scale is an extremely important and personal decision, as you are bound by the limitations of the chosen scale. We can divide the most common handpan scales into three main categories.
- Major scales
These scales are probably the most commonly used in Western music. The major scale is often described as sounding cheerful, bright or uplifting.
- Natural minor scales
At the other end of our scale spectrum are the natural minor scales. Natural minor scales are often seen as sounding sad or mysterious.
- “Exotic” scales
If a handpan is not based on the major or natural minor scale, it most likely falls into the category of what we call "exotic" scales. These handpans are not based on the traditional major/minor harmonies most commonly found in popular music, but are often derived from modes or the harmonic minor scale. These scales often sound exotic, foreign, or just plain unusual.
3. Retuning the tones
Sometimes it is necessary to retune the handpan. The most logical reason why a handpan needs to be retuned is if it has been dropped or otherwise bumped. This is because the impact changes the three-dimensional structure of the sound, which in turn affects its tuning. The result is that the fundamental tone and possibly its overtones are dissonant.
Secondly, handpans can go out of tune if you play too hard.
Finally, a handpan can naturally go out of tune. It's sad but true. Your instrument can easily become out of tune over time - even without an accident or playing too hard. With most handpans, this tuning change is barely noticeable. But some handpans can go out of tune more quickly than others for some unknown reason.
4. Hold the instrument properly and give the playing fingers their freedom
After you have chosen your handpan and feel ready to go through our handpan playing instructions , you should sit in front of a mirror and check your posture. Place the handpan on your legs, but in such a way that the resonance hole of the instrument is free, i.e. not touching your legs. Look at the circle of sound fields and make sure that you can reach all of the sound fields with your hands and fingers. Try to play the scale in front of the mirror, as discussed previously. This is how you start playing the handpan and can then experiment without a mirror until you can create your first handpan songs .
5. Step by step and not everything at once
You can play a musical instrument even without any special musical training. The handpan is suitable for anyone who wants to enjoy soulful music and basically just wants to learn a few handpan notes. You can hardly play a wrong note on the handpan. They always sound harmonious and beautiful. Don't try to delve into the full theory of handpan notes right from the start, which you can find in our handpan playing guide . First find the right posture and position, strum away and enjoy the process of intuitive learning if you want to learn to play the handpan . It should be fun and the handpan for beginners in music is perfect for learning to play an instrument.
Handpan songs - you can learn some handpan songs very quickly.
Learning to play the handpan does not have a steep learning curve and is relatively easy to master. Anyone can buy a handpan and tap and stroke it with their fingers to produce beautiful sounds.
There are books, YouTube tutorials, free online courses and a helpful community - and, not to forget, our PDF handpan learning guide. With a little practice, you can start playing notes in a few days and interpreting rhythms and songs in a few weeks.
Because of the sound a handpan produces, anyone you play the handpan for will be instantly impressed. Whether you're playing for your family and friends or surprising your partner on a special occasion, your skills will always impress them!
It's also a great way to fulfill your dream of learning a musical instrument. Not everyone has the time to learn a new instrument like the piano. And in no time you'll be playing handpan songs like a pro.
Learn Handpan Conclusion
Since the handpan is a relatively new instrument, you will be among the first to start playing. There is already a growing virtual " handpan for beginners" community and one with professional handpan players.
If you are new to the world of music, we recommend that you start with a simple instrument to get your fascination going. Handpans are ideal because learning to play the handpan is so easy and you can quickly experience success.
Two bowl-shaped metal sheets are glued together. These metal domes form a resonance chamber that produces beautiful melodies. With a handpan playing guide like the one you can order for free from sonodrum.net, you will soon be enchanting yourself with the sounds and your surroundings too!
But don't be fooled by the simplicity of this instrument, the sounds it produces are truly incredible and will impress anyone who takes a look at it. With this article Learning the Handpan - Instructions for Beginners we hope to have introduced you to the handpan and in particular made the first steps in learning the handpan easier for you. Have fun playing!
FAQs: Frequently asked questions about learning the handpan
Is it easy to learn handpan?
Handpans are like harmonicas: no matter what or how you play, it always sounds relatively good. They have multiple notes tuned to a scale, so every note you play will be the "right" note. This makes it really easy to start learning the handpan .
How do you hold a handpan?
There is no back or front, but generally the lower notes are positioned closer to the body while the higher notes are played at the front. Many players position their handpan so the position suits what they are playing, even moving it while playing.
How do you learn to play the handpan?
The handpan is an instrument that you can learn intuitively. Start with the scale and then play different rhythms.
How to read handpan notes?
To read handpan notes, there are tables with the symbols and notes. Order our free Handpan Soundbook as a PDF and you will find such a table. There are also rhythmic exercises and songs that you can try out if you want to learn handpan .
