Scale, number of notes, nitrided or stainless steel, budget: choosing your first handpan can quickly feel overwhelming. I’m Warren Shanti, a musician and handpan teacher based in Germany. I discovered the handpan on YouTube back in 2012, dreamed of it for nearly ten years before finally getting my first instrument in January 2021, and today I teach it (you can read all about my journey on the About Me page). Here are the key pointers to help guide your choice, step by step.
The essentials
- A 9- or 10-note handpan is the best choice to start with, both in terms of price and accessibility. If you’re certain you want to take things really far, having more notes is a great long-term investment.
- The D Kurd scale is the most popular and is wonderfully suited for learning.
- Both nitrided steel and stainless steel work well: they differ in sound and maintenance needs.
- Choose 440 Hz if you want to play along with other instruments.
- For a quality artisan handpan with 9 or 10 notes, expect to pay at least €1,100 to €1,700.
- Listen to unedited videos and inspect the instrument thoroughly before buying.
How Many Notes for Your First Handpan?
A 9- or 10-note handpan is the best choice for beginners, both in terms of price and accessibility: it strikes a great balance between musical range and ease of play. 10 notes are more than enough to get started, especially on a D Kurd. But if you’re absolutely sure you want to take it far and you have the budget to invest more, a handpan with extra notes is always a plus.
My free e-book to help you choose. “Your First Step Toward the Handpan” is now available: the instrument’s history, the world of scales explained without music theory, how to choose and care for your handpan, and your very first melody in 15 minutes. It’s yours as soon as you sign up for my newsletter, along with my other welcome gifts.
A handpan features a central low note, called the “ding,” surrounded by notes arranged around the perimeter. They are all tuned together to the same scale. The more notes there are, the wider the range, but the more time it takes to find your way around. With 9 or 10 notes, you already have plenty to play rhythms, melodies, and start improvising. If you’d like to understand the instrument first, check out What Is a Handpan?
Which scale should you choose as a beginner?
D Kurd is the most widespread scale and the one most commonly recommended for a first instrument. A scale is a set of notes designed to harmonize beautifully together: on a handpan, it defines the instrument’s mood and atmosphere, and you can’t change it after purchase.
The name comes in two parts: the root note (D corresponds to Ré) and the scale name (Kurd). Here are the two scales I suggest you listen to first:
| Scale | What You Need to Know | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| D Kurd (Ré Kurd) | The most popular and versatile: both melancholic and uplifting, it lends itself just as well to percussive grooves as it does to melodic playing. On 9 or 10 notes, it’s the scale that opens up the most possibilities | A first instrument, whether playing solo or accompanying others |
| E Amara (Mi Amara), also known as Celtic Minor (also available in D Amara / Ré Amara) | Quite close to D Kurd, it’s also a minor scale, but it offers fewer musical possibilities than D Kurd | A first instrument, if you’re looking for a slightly different flavor |
My advice: on a 9- or 10-note handpan, I highly recommend D Kurd. With fewer notes, it gives you the greatest range of musical possibilities—far more than an Amara in E or D. On extended scales with many notes, both offer quite similar possibilities.
This table is an in-house summary drawn from my experience as a teacher. The best guide is still your own ear: listen to several scales before making up your mind.
Nitrided Steel or Stainless Steel: Which One to Choose?
Both work well for beginners: the choice mainly comes down to your climate, how much maintenance you want to do, and the sound you prefer. Nitrided steel is surface-hardened through a special treatment (nitriding); it delivers a crisp, punchy sound and requires a bit more care regarding humidity. Stainless steel resists corrosion better and often provides longer sustain—the amount of time a note continues ringing out.
If you mostly play at home in a dry room, both are great options. If you travel or play outdoors, stainless steel is definitely worth a closer look.
P.S. There is no single “best” material—it really comes down to personal taste. Personally, my preference goes to Ember Steel, a type of steel developed by Ayasa Instruments that combines the benefits of both nitrided and stainless steel (I cover this in What Is a Handpan?), and particularly stainless Ember Steel.
440 Hz or 432 Hz: Which Tuning?
Go with 440 Hz if you want to jam with other instruments; 432 Hz is really a matter of personal preference. 440 Hz is the standard concert pitch used by most instruments. 432 Hz is loved by some for meditation, but it doesn’t blend well with 440 Hz instruments, and the selection of models is much more limited.
What Budget Should You Plan for Your First Handpan?
The budget depends on the maker, the material, the number of notes, and the manufacturing process. Here are a few benchmarks to check when buying, as prices do change:
- for a quality, artisan-crafted 9- or 10-note handpan, plan on spending at least €1,100 to €1,700
- within that same note count, top-tier high-end instruments can reach up to €2,500
- with significantly more notes, like 20, 21, or even more, prices can exceed €5,000: these are professional instruments that I don’t recommend for beginners
A handpan is an instrument often made entirely by hand, and some makers build exclusively to order with fairly long wait times.
Don’t forget to account for the essential accessories alongside the instrument:
- a padded bag or case to protect it, and optionally a rope braid, which also guards the rim against minor knocks
- a stand to play comfortably (I shared my thoughts on the Atlas stand)
- learning resources: an online course or a workshop to get your hand technique right
How to Inspect a Handpan Before Buying?
Ask for unedited phone videos rather than polished studio recordings. Next, listen closely to the low notes, then the high notes: that’s where the maker’s craftsmanship really reveals itself. Also look for videos of musicians actually playing the instrument. For a second-hand handpan, check carefully for dents, wear, and rust.
The Partners page features trusted handpans and accessories—a great place to start comparing.
How I Chose My First Handpan
At the time, I reached out to a well-known figure in the handpan community to guide my choice. His advice: watch as many videos as possible on social media and YouTube, and let my feelings guide me.
Looking back, that was both good and bad advice. My intuition led me to a 9-note C Aegean in nitrided steel. An extraordinary scale, but very limiting with only 9 notes. For the complete beginner I was, with zero musical background, it brought a lot of frustration.
So I moved on to a second handpan, a D Kurd, and that’s when the musical world truly opened up for me.
It wasn’t a mistake, though: today, Aegean is one of my favorite scales—and in fact my absolute favorite as I write this article. But with lots of notes: I now play a 20-note D Aegean, an utterly breathtaking scale.
With my experience today, here is what I recommend: if you’re picking up the handpan without any background in music or playing another instrument, go with a scale like D Kurd. It really is the ultimate go-to scale for beginners.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Choosing Your First Handpan?
Mistakes often stem from rushing into things and wanting the most comprehensive instrument right away. Here are the ones I suggest you steer clear of:
- wanting as many notes as possible before you even know how far you’ll take it, when 10 notes already leave plenty of room for progress
- buying without hearing the scale played by real musicians
- forgetting to budget for a case and stand
- jumping on the first second-hand listing without video proof or inspection
- overlooking manufacturing or delivery lead times
What buying mistake do I see most often among my workshop students, and how can you avoid it?
The number one mistake, hands down: searching for a handpan on Google and buying it from the very first website that pops up.
The handpan is becoming increasingly popular. And whenever something gains popularity, it attracts shady characters looking to run fraudulent businesses. That’s exactly what’s happening right now.
“Decorative” handpans. The market is flooded with poorly made handpans marketed as artisan instruments. In reality, they come straight out of factories, completely machine-made, terribly out of tune, and sometimes not even tuned at all when they arrive. I like to call them decorative handpans: they can look very pretty, but sound-wise, they sound like tin cans. Even at a few hundred euros, that’s already way too much for what they are.
The dropshipping website trap. The worst part is the sites that frequently appear at the top of sponsored search results. They claim to work with multiple makers across Europe and worldwide, then resell these handpans—which probably cost a few tens of euros to manufacture—at the price of a genuine handmade artisan handpan: I’ve seen them listed anywhere between €1,000 and €3,500. It’s a massive scam, and these sites are popping up everywhere, in every country.
They stop at nothing. Several times, I’ve stumbled upon customer reviews on their sites featuring a photo or video of me pulled from my social media, posted under another name, with a fake review where “I” was supposedly raving about their handpans. Needless to say, I have never touched those instruments. It’s downright outrageous.
Why people get caught. When you start out and unbox the instrument, you assume you’re the problem: “I just need to practice, I need to develop my touch.” Weeks go by, sometimes months, until the day you realize the problem isn’t you—it’s the handpan. And by then, it’s too late: returning it is out of the question. You’re left stuck with an unsellable instrument, because reselling it would mean scamming someone else in turn. And ethically, that’s simply not an option.
My advice to avoid this:
- never let impulse buy guide you, and take the time to research thoroughly before buying
- seek advice from a professional or a respected figure in the handpan community
- reach out directly to reputable makers
- be cautious with second-hand resale platforms, where you often run into out-of-tune or badly damaged instruments: always request video proof before purchasing
In short, be extremely vigilant about scams. A pretty handpan that sounds like a tin can is still just a tin can, even if it costs €3,000.
Should You Get Guidance to Choose and Learn?
It’s not mandatory, but it saves an incredible amount of time. My online school, The Handpan Paradise, and the Learn Handpan page help you progress at your own pace. If you’re wondering how long it takes to play, I answer that in How Long Does It Take to Learn the Handpan?
A two- or three-day workshop gives you personal guidance to get your hands placed correctly. The upcoming beginner workshops will take place in Bioncourt near Nancy from December 11 to 13, 2026 (workshop details), and at Moulin d’Ozon in Ardèche from December 18 to 20, 2026 (workshop details). You can pay for your workshop in interest-free installments. All dates can be found in the immersive workshop calendar. To connect with other players, you’re warmly welcome to join the free The Handpan Paradise Family community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a First Handpan Cost?
For a quality, artisan-crafted 9- or 10-note handpan, expect to pay around €1,100 to €1,700 at minimum, and up to €2,500 for very high-end instruments. With 20 notes or more, prices can exceed €5,000: these are professional instruments that I don’t recommend for beginners. Beware of much cheaper handpans advertised as handmade: they are almost always factory-built instruments that are poorly tuned.
Can You Start With a Second-Hand Handpan?
Yes, as long as you listen to it and inspect it carefully: dents, wear, and rust are the first things to look out for. If you can’t try it in person, request unedited videos and ask questions about its maker and tuning history.
Which Scale Should You Choose for Playing Handpan in Meditation?
D Kurd and Amara (also known as Celtic Minor, in E or D) are two popular choices, each with its own mood. Listen to both and pick the one that brings you the most peace. I discuss what handpan sound does for the nervous system in Handpan and Anxiety. A handpan is a wonderful companion for relaxation, but it does not replace professional medical care.
Do You Need to Read Sheet Music to Play the Handpan?
No. All the notes belong to the same scale, so there are no wrong notes to worry about, and you can play rhythms and lovely melodies without any background in music theory.
Is a 12-Note Handpan Better for Beginners?
Yes—and even beyond 12 notes, if you’re sure you want to take things far. If you can invest right away in an instrument with more notes, it’s a solid long-term choice: it keeps you from needing an upgrade a few months or years down the road just to get more range.
The trap is trying to use all of them right from the start. When faced with so many notes, it’s tempting to explore everything at once, and you easily end up lost. Start with a small cluster of notes, take your time getting to know them well, and then gradually introduce the others as your touch and ear develop. Those extra notes aren’t going anywhere: they’ll be right there waiting for the day you need them.
And now, where to start?
Listen to several handpans in D Kurd and Amara (Celtic Minor), find the sound that resonates with you, and then progress at your own pace: the online school or a workshop will help you take the leap with confidence.
