Getting the Most Out of Your Multi-Handpan Setup

Playing more than one handpan opens up a different range of musical possibilities. Instead of being limited to the notes and register of a single instrument, a multi-pan setup can provide a wider melodic range, additional notes, contrasting textures, and more freedom when creating arrangements.

However, playing multiple handpan is not simply a matter of placing them next to each other. The choice of instruments, their positioning, and the way you practice and amplify them can all have a significant impact on the experience.

Here are some important points to consider when building a multi-pan setup.

Keep Your Instruments at the Same Reference Frequency

When playing multiple handpans, all instruments in the setup need to be tuned to the same reference frequency. This is not simply a matter of preference or consistency — it is essential for the instruments to work together musically.

For example, if your main handpan is tuned to A=440 Hz, the other instruments in the setup should also be based on A=440 Hz. The same applies if you choose to work with A=432 Hz or another reference frequency: all instruments need to follow the same standard.

Using instruments based on different reference frequencies can create conflicts between their notes and harmonics, making it difficult for them to sound properly together. Even when the scales are otherwise complementary, different reference frequencies can prevent the instruments from functioning as a coherent musical setup.

Choose Complementary Scales

One of the main advantages of playing multiple handpans in your setup is the ability to combine different scales. 

Rather than choosing instruments that are very similar, consider scales that complement one another and provide access to different notes. The more thoughtfully the scales are combined, the wider the overall range of musical possibilities becomes.

This does not necessarily mean choosing scales that sound completely unrelated. The instruments still need to work musically together, but having different note collections can give you access to melodies, harmonies, and transitions that would not be possible with a single instrument.

Explore Different Registers

Another useful approach is to combine instruments that occupy different registers.

For example, one handpan can provide a lower register while another focuses on a higher range. This can create a broader sonic field and help each instrument occupy its own space.

Combining registers can also make the interaction between the instruments more interesting. Instead of having two instruments competing for the same range, each can contribute something different to the overall musical texture.

Don't Limit Yourself to Two Instruments

A multi-pan setup does not have to mean two instruments.

Some musicians use three, four, or even more handpans when the musical context calls for it. It is not unusual for a player to add another instrument primarily because it contains one or two specific notes that are missing from the main setup.

Those additional notes can make a significant difference when developing a particular composition or improvisation.

The important thing is to have a musical reason for adding another instrument. More handpans do not automatically mean more musical possibilities if they simply duplicate what you already have.

Use Reliable Stands

Once you move beyond one instrument, stands become an important part of the setup. It is simply not practical to hold several handpans on your lap at the same time.

A good stand should be stable, secure, and suitable for the specific instrument. It should also allow the handpan to resonate properly without unnecessarily interfering with the lower notes or other resonant areas.

When choosing stands, pay attention not only to stability but also to how much of the instrument they support and where that support makes contact.

Think About Positioning and Ergonomics

The physical arrangement of the instruments can make a significant difference.

Consider the distance between the handpans, their height, their angle, and how easily you can reach the notes you need. A setup that looks good from the audience's perspective may not necessarily be comfortable to play.

The goal is to make transitions between instruments feel natural and avoid unnecessary movements. If you constantly have to stretch, rotate your body, or change your playing position to reach another handpan, the setup may need adjustment.

This becomes particularly important during longer performances.

Practice With the Instruments in the Same Position

Once you find a setup that works, keep it consistent during practice.

Playing the instruments in the same positions allows you to develop spatial awareness and muscle memory. Over time, you begin to know where specific notes are without consciously searching for them.

This can be especially useful during improvisation or when performing without constantly looking at the instruments.

Changing the position of your handpans every time you practice can make this process more difficult. A consistent setup allows your physical movements to become part of your musical vocabulary.

Practice the Transitions, Not Only the Instruments

Playing each handpan individually is only part of the process. With a multi-pan setup, you also need to practice moving between instruments.

Pay attention to how a musical phrase travels from one handpan to another. Which hand moves first? Where does your body naturally shift? Can you reach the next note without interrupting the rhythm or musical flow?

These transitions can eventually become as natural as moving between notes on a single instrument.

Give Each Instrument a Role

When working with several handpans, it can be helpful to think about the role of each instrument.

One might provide lower notes and rhythmic support. Another might be used primarily for melody. A third could provide specific notes or a different register that adds color to the arrangement.

Thinking in terms of roles can help prevent the setup from becoming unnecessarily complicated. Instead of treating every handpan as an independent instrument, you can think of the entire setup as one larger musical instrument.

Pay Attention to Dynamics

Playing multiple instruments also requires attention to dynamics.

Different handpans may respond differently to touch and may have different levels of projection. A higher-register instrument, for example, can sometimes stand out more easily than a lower one.

The material of the instruments can also influence how they respond and sound within the setup. For example, combining nitrided steel and stainless steel handpans may result in noticeable differences in response, sustain, resonance, and projection. This does not mean that instruments made from different materials cannot work well together. It simply means that these differences should be taken into account when building and practicing with the setup.

There is no need for every instrument to be played with the same intensity. Adjusting dynamics can help create balance between different registers, materials, and tonal characteristics, allowing each instrument to contribute without overpowering the others.

Experiment With Microphone Placement

Amplification is another important part of a multi-pan setup.

Microphone placement can significantly affect the balance between instruments. Depending on the performance and the room, you may need to experiment with microphone distance, position, and the number of microphones being used.

There is no single setup that works in every situation. Test your microphones with the instruments in their actual performance positions and listen to how the complete setup sounds rather than evaluating each handpan separately.

Small changes in microphone placement can make a surprisingly large difference.

Think About the Musical Goal

Before adding another instrument, ask yourself what it will contribute.

Do you need a wider register? A few additional notes? A different tonal color? More harmonic possibilities?

Starting with the musical goal can help you build a more intentional setup. Sometimes one additional handpan can completely change what is possible. In other situations, adding several instruments may simply make the setup more complicated without providing a meaningful musical benefit.

A multi-pan setup works best when every instrument has a reason to be there.

Bringing It All Together

Playing multiple handpans can transform the way you approach the instrument. It allows you to combine different scales, registers, rhythmic ideas, and melodic possibilities while creating a much broader sonic palette.

But the quality of a multi-pan performance is not determined by the number of instruments on stage. A well-planned setup, consistent positioning, comfortable ergonomics, thoughtful dynamics, and careful microphone placement can make a much greater difference.

Ultimately, the goal is not simply to play more handpans. It is to use multiple instruments as a way of expanding your musical vocabulary and creating possibilities that would not exist with a single instrument.