The handpan is a melodic steel percussion instrument played with bare hands. Its soft, enveloping tone invites relaxation and meditation. Born in Switzerland in the early 2000s, it wins over more musicians, therapists, and curious newcomers every year. I play it and teach it online and in retreats—here’s what you need to know about its history, structure, scales, and the steels it’s made from.
The essentials
- The handpan is a melodic percussion instrument made of two assembled steel shells.
- It descends from the Hang®, created in 2000 by the Swiss company PANArt.
- On top, a central note—the Ding—is surrounded by 8 to 10 notes (sometimes more) that form its scale.
- A handpan’s name indicates its root note, its scale type, and its number of notes—for example, D Kurd 10.
- There are three main steels: nitrided, stainless, and Ember Steel—each with its own sound character.
- No musical knowledge is needed to start playing.
Where does the handpan come from?
The handpan’s history is recent. The first model, the Hang®, was designed in 2000 by the Swiss company PANArt. It inspired many instrument makers around the world, who created similar instruments called handpans or pantams (a term mainly used in Asia).
Since “Hang” is a registered trademark, today we use the word handpan to refer to all of these instruments. Each maker brings their own sonic signature.
How is a handpan built?
A handpan is made of two assembled steel hemispheres. The space between them creates a resonance chamber: together with the vibration of the metal, that’s what gives the instrument its very distinctive tone.
The top: the Ding and the notes
- The Ding: the central note, often the lowest note on the instrument. It’s the root note. The area around it is called the “shoulder.”
- The outer notes: arranged in a circle around the Ding, there are usually 8 to 10 of them, sometimes more depending on the model. They’re what define the handpan’s scale.
- The dimple: each note has a small inverted dome in its center—the dimple—surrounded by a flat, circular note area.
The bottom: the Gu and the bottom notes
In the center of the underside is the Gu, a circular opening that lets the sound out and makes it possible to add percussive effects. Some models also have bottom notes, extra notes placed under the instrument:
- low: they provide depth and a more pronounced bass;
- intermediate: they blend harmoniously with the notes on top;
- high: they add lightness and crystalline nuances.
With this expanded range, from the lowest to the highest sounds, the handpan offers huge freedom for musical and creative exploration.
How do you read the name of a handpan scale?
A handpan’s name always follows the same logic: its root note, then the scale type, then the total number of notes. For example: D Kurd 10, F# Low Pygmy 21, D Aegean 17, or E Amara 20.
You’ll often come across Anglo-Saxon notation, where notes are written as letters: D Kurd 10, F# Low Pygmy 21, D Aegean 17, or E Amara 20.
Which steel should you choose for a handpan?
The material directly affects the sound, resonance, and playing feel. Here are the three main options.
Nitrided steel
- It’s treated with nitrogen to strengthen the surface and limit corrosion.
- Its resonance is shorter (reduced sustain), which works well for rhythmic, percussive playing.
- Its notes are precise and overlap less.
Stainless steel
- It resists rust.
- It offers long resonance and a warmer sound.
- It responds to light touches—perfect for fluid, meditative playing.
- It’s highly appreciated in music therapy, relaxation, and yoga.
Ember Steel, Ayasa’s innovation
Developed by Ayasa Instruments, a world-renowned Dutch maker, Ember Steel combines the benefits of nitrided and stainless steel:
- long sustain, comparable to stainless steel;
- a warm, deep, balanced tone;
- excellent note stability, less sensitive to climate variations;
- fewer fingerprints, so it’s easier to maintain.
Personally, it’s my favorite steel: all my handpans—for my lessons as well as my own practice—are Ember Steel, with a few in stainless. I’m less drawn to nitrided steel, but it’s really a matter of taste.
Warren Shanti
Why play the handpan?
The handpan is much more than a musical instrument: it’s an invitation to sound exploration, meditation, and an inner journey.
- It’s accessible to everyone: no musical knowledge is needed to start playing and express your emotions.
- It’s a wellness tool, used in music therapy, relaxation, and energy work.
- It offers a huge variety of sounds, thanks to its many scales.
If you’re drawn to the handpan for its soothing effects, I go into more detail in my article on the handpan and anxiety.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a Hang and a handpan?
The Hang® is the very first model, created in 2000 by PANArt, and its name is a registered trademark. The word handpan refers to all instruments of this type, now made by many makers around the world.
How many notes does a handpan have?
The top has a central Ding and usually 8 to 10 notes around it, sometimes more. Some models add bottom notes under the instrument: for example, an F# Low Pygmy 21 has 21 notes.
Do you need to read music to play the handpan?
No. The handpan doesn’t require any musical knowledge to get started. You can play and express your emotions from the very first minutes.
Why is the handpan’s sound soothing?
Its soft, harmonious tone creates a calming feeling and supports meditation. That’s why it’s used in music therapy, relaxation, and yoga.
Where can you try a handpan and learn to play?
If you want to try different models and learn to play, you’ve got a few options:
- join one of my immersive retreats, in France or Germany;
- join a group workshop in Bochum, Germany;
- book a one-on-one intro session in Bochum, where you can also buy a handpan from a selection reserved for my students;
- experience the Soul Sanctuary retreat;
- learn at your own pace with my online school.
Let music become your language, and express what words can’t say.
