The handpan is classified as a subset of the steelpan. A relatively new instrument it is the general term for the instrument since creators PANArt registered the name Hang as a trademark for their original invented instrument. Growing in popularity there are over 100 manufacturers worldwide for what remains an elusive and sometimes pricey percussion instrument.
Steel is used to make handpans. There are three different types used to create a handpan: nitrided steel, the ever-growing in popularity stainless steel, and most latterly ember steel. It seems today we are seeing everyone making stainless steel as it has the ability to withstand rusting and aging better than other types of steel….
Handpans are fundamentally not suitable for young children. Handpans are easy to damage and are not designed for the rough and tumble of a child’s play box or room. Strikes from other objects like toys will create tuning issues and in some cases, irreparable damage, that will be costly to rectify, or worse, deem your…
Something amazing has happened. For the first time, there has been built a specific handpan for beginners. In a revolution for the instrument, the Beginner Series of handpans has been built specifically for people looking to buy their first handpan. There is a wide choice of handpan makers in the US now and newbies have…
There is plenty of choice for buying a handpan if you live in Europe. This list is for all countries except the UK. I have a separate list of handpan makers in the UK. Handpan Makers by Country Count This list is growing all of the time, so may not be complete at the time…
The best handpan this year is not going to come to you cheaply. And like it or not, the best handpan is not going to be found lurking on the sales pages of Amazon either. This guide will provide information on the best handpans, and which handpans to avoid. My Favourite 3 Handpans, Scales and…
When handpans first appeared they were a striking sight. Spaceship shaped it is no wonder that once it was discovered that they were a form of hand drum that Space Drum may be adopted as a potential name. Step forward Phillippe Maignaut who, with his craftsmen make these handpans from the bottom up, without using…
