Instrument of the Month: Handpan

Today marks the first day of July, and beginning this week I am starting an “Instrument of the Month” blog post. The first week of every month I will select a musical instrument at random, and give an insight into its history, creation and how it has been used in music, both in current times and historically.

So let’s get started. The instrument of the month for July 2012 is:

The Handpan

The Handpan is relatively new to the music scene, but the impact it has made is palpable. Developed as the 'Hang' by PANart in the early 2000’s, the handpan has quickly become heavily sought after for its ethereal sound. Made originally of a ‘nitrided steel sheet’ formed into a dome, the handpan has several small dents hammered into the surface to form the different notes of the scale. Then it is melded with another dome that has a large sound hole carved into the bottom. The result?

Beautiful bell-like tones.

At the time PANart was the only one developing the instrument, and not in enough quantities to meet demand for it. Eventually all orders were placed on a very long waiting list (up to five years), and those seeking to finally purchase their handpan would have to fly to Bern in Switzerland to retrieve it.

Soon after a new company surfaced. Pantheon Steel introduced its own handpan, the 'Halo' in 2007. This is also when the term 'Handpan' was first used to describe the instrument. They were soon flooded with requests and orders. People couldn't get enough of these instruments!

As more and more people begin to develop their own methods of creating handpans, the market is steadily growing. Obtaining one is still no easy task, however. PANart chooses their customers via handwritten letters, Pantheon Steel has mailing list lotteries to select their winners, and everyone else typically has a long waiting list. You're best bet is usually to wait on an order list with a newer company or try to win one on eBay.

Or, you know, build one.


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It turns out, there are tons of instructionals for building your own. that forum, HandPan.org, is probably the best resource on the internet for information on developments, purchasing, and making your own handpan. Now it's insanely noisy and requires dedication, but the results are worth the effort.

So, all this is well and good, but what kind of music can you play on a hand pan?









pretty damn good music.

For more information on the handpan and its wonders, I recommend the HandPan forums. You can also check here.

Also guess what? Spacedrum is selling them directly from their maker's website.

And for a similar instrument, check out the Steel Tongue Drum.

Well that's it for this post. See you guys in August for 'Instrument of the Month'!