Handpans have gained popularity among people due to their beautiful and captivating sound. Their melodic tunes have been a great addition to meditation and mental wellness sessions. The hang drum may look intimidating to some as it's unbelievable how just a mere saucer-shaped instrument can capture the hearts of so many people with its soothing sound.
Handpans originated in 2000 when Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer developed the hang instrument in Switzerland. Since then, handpans have been infamous for their soothing melodies. Many people find the handpans a little complex, but you can become a pro player once you get the hang of it. In this guide, find everything you need to know about to do so!
Understanding The Basics
Are you thinking about where to start? You need first to understand the basics of the structure of the steel handpan. There are different materials of handpans, but the basic phenomenon of tunes is almost the same in each. The handpan drum consists of two shells joined together. The top side has multiple tones, while the bottom features a resonance hole called the ‘Gu’ hole.
The Ding: It is the largest tone on the shell of the handpan. It is at the centre of the top shell and produces a deep and unique sound. The Ding is the root tone of the handpan scale.
Tone Fields: Several different small tone fields are found around the Ding. They are toned specifically to a unique tune. Depending upon which handpan you have, tone fields can vary in their numbers. Mostly, there are 7-9 tones present in a handpan suitable for beginners.
The Gu Hole: A deep base and resonance are created by the Gu hole present at the bottom shell of the hang instrument. A unique rhythm is produced when you strike the Gu hole.
Choosing The Right Handpan For Beginners
When starting your learning experience, selecting the right handpan is a crucial step. You can find several scales and musical tunes in the market, but choose the one that best suits your liking. An easy-to-play diatonic scale can be found on most of the handpans. It plays a beautiful sound, but everyone’s music preference is different, so select the one that best matches yours!
As handpans are tuned to different scales, a D Minor, Celtic Minor, or Integral scale is often considered a safe choice. They create soothing and happy music that feels like magic to the ears. It is a fact that handpans are not inexpensive. However, if you are starting something new, we recommend investing in a good handcrafted instrument with a strong build and durability.
Hand Positions & Finger Techniques
Hand pan drum playing is all about your hand and finger movements. It creates an intimate and soothing experience for both the player and the listener. Each strike and tap creates a unique yet calming rhythm that can be polished with constant practice. Remember, it is not a drum, so handpans need gentle and light taps to give you the most peaceful and meditative sounds ever!
The finger strikes are the most common technique to play a handpan. The light taps produce clear and soft music that brings a sense of peace to your surroundings. You can also use your palm and thumbs to strike the centre of the instrument lightly. This will create a deep bass and resonant tone that most likely sounds like a drum but comes from a gentle tap on the handpan.
Basic Rhythms & Patterns
Once you have learned tapping and striking on the handpan, creating a rhythm is your next step. Music without any rhythm is a waste; explore the notes of your instrument one by one and gradually start creating a rhythmic flow. We recommend starting slow and using alternate hands can be a great tip. You do not have to make it complex, but a simple rhythm can do wonders.
4/4 Rhythms: Starting with a simple and easy 4/4 rhythm is a great choice. You can begin by combining the Ding and a few of the surrounding tone fields. This mixup will help you understand the timing and can build good coordination while playing.
Layering Tones: As you keep practising, you can shift to playing multiple notes by alternating between them. Once a rhythm is created, you can pick up the pace and turn heads around by playing captivating music.
Mixing with the Gu Hole: The bottom shell creates a profound bass that can be enhanced by striking the Gu hole along with other tone fields having a high pitch. This will help give depth to your music and produce more percussive tones.
Handpan Care & Maintenance
You can find the handpan for sale at any local shop, but keeping it properly and paying attention to its maintenance is important. Once you are done with having a jam session, clean the handpan with a microfibre cloth to remove any oil or dust from the surface. You can also put a light oil on the surface of your instrument to protect it from corrosion and increase its shelf life.
One key step for handpan care is keeping it in a clean and tidy storage bag away from any moisture or humidity. We recommend not playing the handpan in extreme temperatures, as they may affect the tuning of your instrument and make it sound ugly. Make sure you do not hit hang too hard as it is a delicate instrument, and external force might make it feel hurt or damaged!
Conclusion
Music is all about feeling and creativity. Getting to know how the hang works might be difficult at first, but with patience and constant practice, you can make music that sounds ethereal. As you begin, set up a cosy spot in your room, get the handpan drum on your lap, and tap your fingers on the surface. Who knows, you can be the next big sensation in the handpan community!
