Handpan Musicians and the Scales They Wield

Ever come across an instrument that looks like a mini UFO and makes sounds that are both relaxing and mind-blowing?  It's called a handpan, and its unique design and built-in musicality make it a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned musicians.

Crafted using two metal hemispheres that are fused together, the handpan is played by striking the indented areas on its surface with your hands. The result? A range of warm, resonant tones that are both calming and intriguing.

In this blog, we will talk about some of the famous handpan players out there and what sets them apart.

What Makes a Handpan's Sound so Special?

The sounds from a handpan can be ethereal and absolutely mesmerizing. It all comes down to how they're built and played.

Rich Harmonics: The handpan's captivating sound isn't a single note but a symphony of sounds created due to its unique design and rich harmonics. Unlike a guitar or drum, the handpan's shape and construction lead to complex vibrations upon being struck. These vibrations create not just the main note that you hit but also a layer of subtle overtones (harmonics) that resonate alongside it. 

This layering of tones is what creates the handpan's signature richness and warmth. The result is a sound that seems to linger in the air, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.
Playing Technique: The way you strike the handpan also influences the sound. By using different parts of your hand and varying the force of your stroke you can create a spectrum of tones from mellow and soft to bright and percussive. You can experiment and find all kinds of cool sounds!

Tuned to Specific Scales: Each handpan is tuned to a specific scale, or a set of notes that go well together. This pre-determined arrangement of notes is what allows you to create pleasing melodies simply by playing different parts of the instrument.

Now, let's talk about the heart of handpan music – scales, and why they are so important.

Why are scales so important to handpan music? 

While the handpan's design and playing technique contribute to its unique sound, scales are the guiding force behind creating cohesive music. Here's why scales are so important:

Harmony: Scales provide a specific order of notes that sound pleasing together. This allows handpan players to create melodies that are not only pleasant to listen to but also emotionally evocative. Different scales can create happy, sad, or mysterious moods.

Playing Potential: Every handpan comes pre-tuned to a specific scale, like a built-in cheat sheet. Knowing this scale lets you explore all the different melodies you can play on your instrument. It's like having a map – you'll know which notes work well together and which ones might sound dissonant.

Learning and Improvisation: Scales provide a foundation for learning to play the handpan. By mastering a few basic scales, you can start creating simple melodies and progress to more complex tunes as you gain experience.

If you are looking to learn more about this exciting instrument, Sound Artist organizes Handpan Sessions to guide people on their handpan journey. Whether you want to unwind and express yourself through music, use the handpan for sound healing, or jam with others, Sound Artist has you covered through this session.

Now, let’s get to the interesting part. It’s time to meet the virtuosos who bring this instrument to life.

Introducing the Masters: Handpan Players and their Signature Sounds

The handpan's magic isn't just in its design, it's also in the hands of skilled musicians who breathe life into the instrument. Let's meet some of these leading players and explore the scales that define their signature styles:

1. Dante Bucchi: A Master of Pentatonic Beauty

Dante Bucchi is a pioneer in the handpan world, known for his stunning compositions. He's a skilled singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. His piece "Fanfare" showcases his talent for crafting intricate melodies with simple scales.

"Fanfare" is a piece composed by Dante Bucci specifically for the handpan, and it utilizes two pentatonic scales:

Dm Pentatonic Scale: This scale is built on the notes D, F, A, C, and G. It creates a moody and slightly melancholic feel.

F Major Pentatonic Scale: This scale consists of the notes F, A, C, D, and E. It provides a brighter and more uplifting contrast to the Dm pentatonic.

If you're interested in exploring these scales on a handpan, various handpan makers offer instruments pre-tuned to Dm or F major.

2. Hang Massive: Global Recognition with the 'Integral' D Minor

Hang Massive is a duo from Switzerland consisting of percussionists and hang drum artists, Danny Cudd and Markus Offbeat. They gained massive recognition for their innovative and mesmerizing performances, particularly their breakout hit "Once Again."

Released in 2011, "Once Again" became a global phenomenon. What makes this song so special? It's all thanks to a special scale called the "Integral D Minor." This unique 8-note scale incorporates elements of both the D minor and D Dorian scales. It offers a wider range of notes compared to a standard pentatonic scale, allowing for richer melodies and harmonies. 

Here are some key features of the D Minor scale:

Expressive Range: It provides a broader emotional range than a pentatonic scale, enabling smooth transitions between joy and melancholy.

Distinctive Character: The inclusion of the lowered 7th note (C#) adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to the sound.

3. Sam Maher: Street Performances and the C# Minor Scale

Sam Maher’s video "New York Handpan" showcases the power of the C# Minor scale

This scale, with its three minor notes, creates a melancholic yet strangely captivating soundscape. 

The C# Minor scale is another common tuning for handpans, offering a distinct emotional range for players to explore and a great fit for Maher's captivating street performances. It’s like the quintessential  soundtrack for a bustling city.

4. Daniel Waples: Tunneling into D Minor

Daniel Waples has been playing under his artistic title “Hang in Balance” since 2011. He is a legend in the handpan community, having played in over 50 countries. His piece "Solo Hang Drum in a Tunnel" takes on an otherworldly quality due to the setting (tunnel) and the D Minor scale. This scale allows for both somber and uplifting melodies, which is why it is a favorite among handpan players.

The D Minor scale is a fundamental minor scale, meaning it follows a specific pattern of whole and half steps to create its characteristic minor sound. This scale brings a sense of melancholy, introspection, and sometimes even a touch of mystery.

The way D Minor works on handpans is especially interesting. The tuning of each note plays a crucial role in how it vibrates and interacts with the instrument's body, shaping the overall sound that resonates so deeply in Waples' piece.

5. Yuki Koshimoto: Pushing Boundaries with Chromatic Scales

Not all handpan players follow the traditional path. Take Yuki Koshimoto, a musician from Japan. She sets herself apart by using something called a chromatic scale. These scales encompass all twelve notes, creating a vast tonal palette that allows for incredibly complex and interesting compositions.

Yuki Koshimoto’s music is a unique blend of traditional Japanese influences and contemporary elements, making her a innovator who's stretching the boundaries of what the handpan can do.

While beautiful and complex, chromatic scales can be challenging on handpans. The limited number of notes on a handpan means some notes might be very close together, making it difficult to achieve clean and distinct tones. Even though it's challenging, Yuki's music shows how cool and unique chromatic scales can be on the handpan.

Now, before we wrap up, let's take a quick detour into the nitty-gritty of choosing the right scale.

Choosing the Right Scale: It's All About Harmony

Picking the right scale for your handpan isn't just about what sounds cool to you. Here's why finding the right match between scale and handpan size is essential:

Harmony in Size and Sound

The diameter of your handpan plays a vital role in determining which scales will resonate best.  For instance, some scales with intricate note progressions might not translate well on smaller handpans. The available notes on the instrument must complement the natural resonant frequencies of that specific size to produce clear and beautiful tones.

Avoiding Scales with Hiccups

Some scales might seem beautiful in theory but could present challenges on handpans.  Scales with many notes crammed together can be tricky to play due to the limited space on the instrument. Complex scales with these tightly packed notes can lead to messy sounds and clashing notes on a handpan.

For beginners, it's easier to start with scales where the notes have some breathing room, so you can play them clearly and have more fun.

Magic of Resonance

The size of your handpan significantly impacts how each note resonates. Think of it as the instrument's unique voice.  Certain note tunings sound more effective on larger handpans due to the increased space for sound waves to vibrate.  On the other hand, smaller handpans might struggle to produce the full richness of certain low notes. It's important to choose a scale with notes that fit comfortably within the playing area of your handpan so they all sound clear and full.

Here's a specific example to illustrate the point: Playing notes like high Bb4 and C can be problematic on 19-inch handpans. These notes are very close together in pitch, and the smaller handpan size might not provide enough space for them to vibrate distinctly.  The result?  A muddy or unclear sound. 

Chromatic Scales Can Be Tricky

Scales with all twelve notes, called chromatic scales, might seem like the ultimate playground for handpan players. However, they can be tricky to play because some of the notes are very close together.

The close proximity of half steps (notes just a semitone apart) in a chromatic scale can be difficult to play clearly on a handpan as there is very little space. Imagine trying to play two notes that are virtually next to each other – it requires immense precision and can be frustrating for beginners.

While some skilled players like Yuki Koshimoto can navigate chromatic scales, most handpan learners will find starting with simpler scales easier and more enjoyable.

The key takeaway? Choosing the right scale isn't just about personal preference. It's about finding the perfect harmony between the scale, the handpan's size, and its inherent tuning. So, play around with some scales and see what sounds to you.

Conclusion

As we discussed in the blog, The handpan's unique sound is a combination of its design, playing technique, and the scale it's tuned to. Scales provide a roadmap for creating melodies and harmonies on the handpan. Different scales evoke various emotions and offer distinct playing possibilities.

If you are looking to buy a handpan and try your hand at this otherwordly instrument, we are pleased to inform you that your search ends here. We at Sound Artist have partnered with reputable makers to bring you a curated selection of high-quality handpans. We also provide one-on-one hand pan lessons, offered both virtually and in-person. Check out our website for details related to both our Marketplace and music classes.