Build Your Own Efficient Handpan Stand: A DIY Guide

Are you looking to enhance your handpan playing experience without spending too much? 

A handpan stand might be just what you need.

A sturdy stand is essential for any player, whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, as it helps you play more comfortably and effectively. While store-bought handpan stands can be expensive, creating your own is an affordable and practical option that still provides the support you need.

In this blog, we’ll explore why a handpan stand is so important, how you can easily make one yourself, and share plenty of useful tips. You won’t want to miss this!

Why is a Handpan Stand Important?

The handpan stand is crucial for performance and practice, affecting the instrument's stability and sound quality. Although many commercial options are available, musicians often need help selecting the ideal stand. Below are some issues you may face while choosing the right stand for your handpan.

Stability Concerns: Some stands may not be stable enough, especially during energetic playing, causing the handpan to wobble or risk falling off.

Weight and Portability: Many stands are heavy and difficult to transport, making them less ideal for frequently traveling musicians.

Compatibility with Bottom Notes: Certain stands may interfere with handpans that have bottom notes, affecting the resonance and sound quality of the instrument.

Investing in a handpan stand only to find it doesn’t meet your needs can be frustrating and costly. Many musicians build their DIY handpan stands to address this. It helps them overcome the limitations of pre-made stands and allows for a customized solution tailored to their specific instrument, all while saving money.

What are the Benefits of a DIY Handpan Stand?

Building a DIY handpan stand offers several advantages for beginners and experienced musicians. By crafting your stand, you can ensure it meets your specific needs, from stability to aesthetics, while also enjoying the satisfaction of creating something unique and functional.

Tailored Design: A DIY stand can be adjusted to fit the player's needs, including height, stability, and compatibility with the handpan's bottom notes. This ensures the best sound and playability.

Portability: Custom stands can be lightweight and foldable, making them easy to carry for gigs or practice. This is great for musicians on the go.

Cost-Effectiveness: Building your own stand can be more affordable than buying a high-end commercial one, allowing you to choose materials that fit your budget without sacrificing function.

Aesthetic Customization: You can design a stand that matches the look of your handpan, choosing materials, colors, and finishes that suit your style and enhance your performance.

Enhanced Stability: A DIY stand can be tailored to the handpan's size and weight, offering better stability and reducing the risk of tipping over during play.

Now that you know the benefits of a DIY handpan stand. Let’s explore some inspiration for crafting your handpan stand.

What are the Inspirations for the DIY Handpan Stand?

Creating a DIY handpan stand is an exciting and creative process that allows you to tailor the design to your unique style and needs. Whether you're aiming for a simple, functional design or something more artistic, building your stand offers the freedom to explore different ideas and materials.

Here are some inspirations to start creating your perfect handpan stand.

Mushroom-Shaped Stand– Aesthetic and Practical Design

A popular DIY handpan stand option is the mushroom-shaped stand, which features a circular top to hold the handpan and a sturdy base for stability. This design is simple to construct using waste materials like aesthetic lamp covers and can be customized to suit your preferences.

Tripod-Style Stand— Stable and Portable Design

A tripod-style stand offers a stable and portable solution. The three legs are arranged in a triangular pattern, this design provides a secure base that is lightweight and easy to transport. Tripod stands are ideal for outdoor performances or when space is limited.

Recycled Materials— Sustainable DIY Solutions

Get creative by using recycled materials to construct your DIY handpan stand. Repurposed items like PVC pipes, metal rods, or wooden pallets can be transformed into sturdy and unique stands. This approach is eco-friendly and allows you to showcase your DIY skills.

Ergonomic Considerations— Comfort and Posture

When designing your stand, keep ergonomics in mind. Ensure that the playing position is comfortable and promotes proper posture. This may involve incorporating a slight angle or curvature to the stand's top or adjusting the height to match your preferred playing style.

Personalized Touches— Unique and Creative Touches

Add personal touches to your DIY handpan stand to make it your own. This could include engraving your name or a meaningful symbol, using your favorite colors in the design, or incorporating elements that reflect your musical style or personality.

Remember, the beauty of a DIY handpan stand lies in the ability to create a unique and functional piece tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Let's learn how to craft a DIY mushroom-shaped handpan stand. 

DIY Handpan Stand: Mushroom-Shaped Stand

A mushroom-shaped handpan stand is popular among DIY enthusiasts for its simple yet effective design. This stand typically features a circular top designed to securely hold the handpan and a sturdy base that ensures stability during play. 

The circular top provides a snug fit for the handpan, keeping it in place while allowing the sound to resonate freely. The stable base prevents wobbling or tipping, crucial for maintaining the instrument's safety and sound quality.

Below are some benefits of a Mushroom-shaped DIY Handpan stand.

Stable Design

The wide, circular top and sturdy base of a mushroom-shaped stand provide excellent stability for the handpan. This design helps prevent the instrument from wobbling or falling off during play, ensuring the safety of your investment.

Compatibility with Bottom Notes

Unlike commercial stands that restrict access to the handpan's bottom notes, a mushroom-shaped stand's open design allows unrestricted play across the entire instrument. This particularly benefits handpans with extended scales featuring multiple notes on the bottom shell.

Affordability

Building a DIY mushroom-shaped stand can be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing expensive commercial options. Using basic materials like a lamp cover and headband, you can create a functional and stylish stand tailored to your needs without breaking the bank.

Aesthetic Appeal

A handcrafted mushroom-shaped stand can enhance the visual appeal of your handpan setup. You can customize the design, materials, and finishes to match the aesthetic of your instrument, creating a cohesive and visually appealing playing environment.

Portability

Some DIY mushroom-shaped stands can be designed with portability in mind. By incorporating lightweight materials and a compact footprint, you can create a stand that is easy to transport and store, making it suitable for musicians who perform in various locations.

What are the Materials Required for a Mushroom-shaped DIY Handpan Stand?

Before you begin making your mushroom-shaped handpan stand, gathering the right materials is important. This will ensure that your stand is sturdy, functional, and looks great. Having everything ready before you begin will make the process smoother and help you create a stand that perfectly supports your handpan.

Antique Lamp Cover: A larger lamp cover with a conical shape to amplify the sound of the handpan.

Multipurpose Tube Headband: To secure the handpan on the stand.

Base Support: A sturdy wooden disc or platform to serve as the base.

Rubber Feet or Padding: To provide grip and prevent slipping.

Strong Glue or Epoxy: This attaches the lamp cover to the base.

Optional Decorative Elements: Paint or stain for aesthetic appeal.

With these materials, you can create a functional and visually appealing mushroom-shaped handpan stand that enhances your playing experience while providing stability and support for your instrument. The unique design serves a practical purpose and adds an artistic touch to your setup.

Stepwise Guide for Crafting Mushroom-Shaped DIY Handpan Stand

This DIY project allows you to customize the stand to your specific needs and preferences, ensuring it complements both your handpan and your space. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process of crafting your own handpan stand.

STEP 1: Prepare the Base:

Choose a sturdy wooden disc or platform as the base. The diameter should be wide enough to stabilize the lamp cover and handpan.

If desired, paint or stain the base to match your decor.

STEP 2: Attach the Lamp Cover

Center the antique lamp cover on the wooden base. Make sure that it is stable and securely positioned. Then, attach the lamp cover to the base using strong glue or epoxy. Let it dry completely.

STEP 3: Secure the Handpan

Take the multipurpose tube headband and wrap it around the top of the lamp cover where the handpan will rest. This will help secure the handpan and prevent it from slipping off. You may need to adjust the tightness of the headband to ensure a snug fit for the handpan.

STEP 4: Add Rubber Feet

Attach rubber feet or padding to the bottom of the wooden base. This will provide grip and prevent the stand from sliding on smooth surfaces.

STEP 5: Final Touches

Inspect the stand for stability and adjust the headband or rubber feet as necessary. You can also add decorative elements to enhance the stand's aesthetic appeal.

Following these steps, you can create a functional and visually appealing mushroom-shaped handpan stand that supports your instrument and enhances its sound quality. The combination of the lamp cover's shape and the secure fit of the tube headband will provide a stable and enjoyable playing experience.

You can also expand your crafting skills by creating different DIY stands for your handpan. In the next section, we will explore how to build a tripod-style stand, another effective and versatile option for securely holding your handpan while playing.

DIY Handpan Stand: Tripod Style Stand

A tripod-style handpan stand is excellent for musicians seeking stable and versatile instrument support. Designed with three legs for enhanced stability, this type of stand is adjustable, portable, and easy to set up, making it ideal for practice and performance settings. 

Whether you’re playing at home or on stage, a tripod stand elevates your handpan experience, allowing for optimal sound projection and comfort while playing.

Stability: The three-legged design of a tripod stand provides excellent stability, reducing the risk of tipping over during play. This is especially important for handpan players who may use dynamic movements while performing.

Adjustability: Many tripod stands come with adjustable height features, allowing players to customize the stand to their preferred playing position, whether sitting or standing. This versatility accommodates musicians of different heights and playing styles.

Portability: Tripod stands are typically lightweight and foldable, making them easy to transport and store. This is ideal for musicians who perform in various locations or need a stand that can be easily set up and taken down.

Versatility: A tripod stand can be used for other instruments as well, making it a multifunctional accessory. This can be particularly beneficial for musicians who play multiple instruments and want a stand that can adapt to different needs.

Sound Projection: A tripod stand can elevate the handpan to enhance sound projection and resonance, allowing the instrument's tones to carry more effectively in a performance space.

A tripod-style handpan stand combines stability, adjustability, portability, and versatility, making it an excellent choice for handpan players seeking a reliable and functional support system for their instrument.

What are the Materials Required for a Tripod- Style DIY Handpan Stand?

Creating a tripod DIY handpan stand can be a practical and cost-effective solution for handpan players. Below are the steps to make a simple and stable tripod handpan stand using readily available materials.

3 Wooden Legs: Use sturdy wood like pine or oak. Each leg should be about 3-4 feet long, depending on your desired height.

Top Plate: A circular or square piece of wood (approximately 12-18 inches in diameter) to hold the handpan.

Hinges: 3 hinges to attach the legs to the top plate, allowing for folding.

Screws: To secure the hinges and attach the legs to the top plate.

Rubber Feet: To prevent slipping and protect the floor.

Wood Glue: This is for added strength in securing the joints.

Sandpaper: To smooth out any rough edges.

Optional: Paint or varnish for finishing touches.

Stepwise Guide for Crafting Tripod-Style DIY Handpan Stand

The DIY tripod handpan stand design is perfect for musicians who need a stable yet lightweight solution for their handpan. Follow these simple steps to craft a stand that offers both support and ease of transport, making it a great addition to your musical setup.

STEP 1: Prepare the Legs

Cut three wooden pieces to your desired length for the legs (3-4 feet). Ensure they are all of equal length for stability. Sand the edges and surfaces to remove any splinters or rough spots.

STEP 2: Attach the Hinges

Take the top plate and mark three evenly spaced points around the edge where the legs will attach. Attach one hinge to each leg and then secure the other side of the hinge to the top plate using screws. Ensure the hinges allow the legs to fold inward.

STEP 3: Secure the Legs

Once the hinges are attached, ensure the legs can fold and unfold smoothly. You may need to adjust the position of the hinges slightly for optimal movement.

STEP 4: Add Rubber Feet

Attach rubber feet to the ends of each leg to provide a grip and prevent slipping when the stand is in use. This will also protect your flooring.

STEP 5: Finishing Touches

If desired, paint or varnish the stand to match your aesthetic preferences. Allow it to dry completely before use. Consider adding a cushion or padding on the top plate where the handpan will rest to prevent scratches and enhance sound quality.

STEP 6: Test Stability

Once assembled, place your handpan on the stand to test its stability. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure it holds the instrument securely.

This DIY tripod handpan stand is a simple yet effective way to support your handpan while playing. Its folding design allows for easy transport and storage, making it suitable for musicians who perform in various locations. Following these steps, you can create a functional and aesthetically pleasing stand tailored to your needs.

The Takeaway

Creating your own DIY handpan stand is a fantastic way to save money while adding a personal touch to your setup. Designing a stand that matches your unique style and complements your instrument makes your handpan experience even more special.

But don’t stop there—expand your creativity further by connecting with other musicians and artists. Join workshops and jam sessions to learn new techniques and share ideas. At Sound Artist Handpan School, you can dive deeper into your handpan journey with a free 14-day course included with any purchase.