Handpan Notes: Choosing the Right Number and Scale

There’s something special about the handpan—a sound that invites you to pause and listen deeply, a gentle invitation to connect with the present moment. Its warm, resonant tones create a unique and intimate space for spontaneous musical exploration.

But when you first begin, the vast array of choices becomes overwhelming.

Two key factors shape your experience: the number of notes and the scale. These decisions influence the sound and how naturally you connect with the instrument. This guide will help you understand these elements so you can choose a handpan that resonates with your musical journey confidently.

Understanding Handpan Notes

The notes are the building blocks of your instrument’s sound—the individual pitches that create melody and harmony. When you play the handpan, your fingers will strike these notes, creating a symphony of resonating tones that offer endless possibilities for musical expression.

A handpan typically features anywhere from 6 to 12 notes, arranged around the central "ding" (the lowest note) and spread out symmetrically across the surface. These notes are usually tuned to a specific scale, and each note holds its own distinct tone and emotional quality.

The real beauty of handpan notes is how each one works with the others. Whether you’re playing them in sequence or allowing them to ring out together, the notes harmonize in a natural and ethereal way. 

Below are examples of 6-note and 8-note handpan

Choosing the Right Number of Notes

When selecting a handpan, one of the first choices you'll make is the number of notes. This decision shapes your playing experience, affecting both simplicity and complexity.

For beginners, a 6 to 9-note handpan offers a balanced and intuitive entry point. A smaller note range encourages creativity through simplicity, helping you focus on melody and rhythm without feeling overwhelmed.

A 10-12 note handpan provides more harmonic depth and versatility to explore richer compositions.

Here’s a closer look at how different handpan configurations cater to different types of players.

9-Note Handpans: Ideal for Beginners

For those just starting their handpan journey, a 9-note handpan can be a perfect choice. With a more compact range, it allows you to focus on mastering the basics—melodies, rhythms, and simple improvisation—without feeling overwhelmed. 

This configuration is often more affordable and can be a great stepping stone to deeper musical exploration.

Additionally, a 9-note handpan offers excellent playability and a more intimate connection with the instrument, making it easier to develop a strong musical foundation.  

10-Note Handpans: Broadening Your Musical Palette

Once you’re comfortable with the basics and want to explore more complex melodies or expand your musical vocabulary, the 10-note handpan is a great choice. This configuration strikes a balance between simplicity and expansion, offering just enough additional notes to experiment with new possibilities while still maintaining ease of playability.

Intermediate players often gravitate toward the 10-note handpan, as it allows for more versatility in compositions and a wider range of exploration.  

12-Note Handpans: Unleashing Your Full Musical Potential

For advanced players, a 12-note handpan opens up a whole new world of tonal exploration. With a full octave (or even beyond), you’ll have access to a broader range of musical possibilities, allowing for complex compositions, extended improvisations, and a richer, more diverse sound.

However, with great power comes great responsibility—12-note handpans are best suited for those who have developed a deep understanding of the instrument. 

This configuration can be a bit more challenging to play due to the greater range, but for those who are ready to embrace it, it offers an incredible canvas for musical expression and performance.

Considerations for Adding More Notes

As you progress in your handpan journey, the desire to add more notes might naturally arise. A handpan with more notes offers a greater tonal range, which can unlock new creative possibilities. However, with this increased range come some challenges.

Challenges of Increasing Note Count

The more notes a handpan has, the more intricate the tuning and resonance become. Each additional note requires careful tuning, and more notes can sometimes lead to slight compromises in the clarity or richness of individual tones.  

Potential Issues with Tuning and Resonance

While the allure of extra notes is clear, it’s important to understand that the overall resonance can sometimes be impacted. Adding more notes requires careful attention to the handpan’s construction to ensure each note resonates harmoniously with the others. 

As a result, advanced players should be mindful of how increased note count affects the overall sound quality.

Now that we’ve covered the importance of choosing the right number of notes, let’s talk about another essential aspect of choosing your handpan.

Budget and Accessibility

Choosing the right handpan is not only about finding the perfect number of notes or the ideal scale—your budget plays a significant role in the decision-making process. The handpan is a unique and often costly instrument, and understanding how the number of notes and other factors affect pricing can help you make a more informed choice.

Impact of Note Count on Pricing

Generally, the more notes a handpan has, the higher the price. This is because more notes require a greater level of craftsmanship, precision in tuning, and more material to produce. 

A 9-note handpan will typically be more affordable than a 12-note handpan due to the additional work involved in creating a larger scale and ensuring the resonance of each note.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Handpans:

Apart from the number of notes, other factors contribute to the cost of a handpan. The quality of materials, craftsmanship, and the reputation of the maker all play significant roles. High-quality handpans crafted by renowned makers can come at a premium. 

Recommendations Based on Budget Constraints:

For those on a tighter budget, starting with a 9-note handpan might be a wise choice. It offers a great balance between affordability and playability, especially for beginners. If your budget allows for a 10 or 12-note handpan, you’ll be able to explore a wider range of music, but it’s important to ensure that the increased cost aligns with your level of commitment and practice goals.

No matter your budget, the key is to find a handpan that speaks to your heart and suits your personal journey. Remember, an instrument is not just a purchase—it’s an investment in your creative growth.

Exploring Scales and Emotive Qualities

Once you've settled on the number of notes, the next essential aspect to consider is the scale of your handpan. The scale determines not only the notes that are available to you but also the mood and emotional vibe that you can evoke with the instrument. 

Handpans are typically tuned to different scales, each with its own distinct character.

Listening to Different Scales to Find Your Personal Preference

Choosing the right scale for your handpan can feel a bit like selecting the color of paint for a canvas. Each scale offers a unique sonic palette that resonates with different emotions. Some scales are uplifting and joyful, while others have a more meditative or melancholic feel. 

Spend time listening to the sound of various scales to see which one speaks to you the most. You’ll find that your personal preferences and emotional connection to the sounds will play a huge role in this decision.

Emotions Conveyed by Different Scales

• Cheerful & Uplifting: Some scales, like the Amara or the Celtic scale, bring a sense of lightness, joy, and energy, which is perfect for creating vibrant, positive music.
• Melancholic & Deep: On the other hand, scales like the Kurd or the Hijaz can evoke more introspective, somber tones, which are great for meditative or soulful music.
• Mystical & Ethereal: If you're looking for something more mystical, scales such as the Dorian or the F# minor might inspire you with their haunting, mysterious sounds.

Popular Scales for Beginners

For beginners, we often recommend starting with the Celtic scale or Kurd. These scales are relatively easy to play and offer a wide range of emotive possibilities, making them perfect for getting a feel for the instrument and expressing your creativity. 

Here is a glimpse of @pranarising playing Symphonic Series D Kurd 10.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Prana Rising (@pranarising)

Conclusion

Choosing the right handpan is an exciting step in your musical journey. Whether you’re a beginner exploring the 9-note Celtic or Kurd scales or an intermediate player seeking the richness of a 10 or 12-note handpan, each option offers a unique path to self-expression.

At The Sound Artist, we’re here to help guide you, offering personalized lessons and flexible options to ensure you find the handpan that resonates with your creative spirit.

Trust your intuition, follow the sounds that move you, and let the music unfold naturally. Ready to begin? Book your handpan discovery session today!