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The handpan is a sound instrument that has enjoyed great popularity for several years and with growing enthusiasm. Similar to tongue drums , handpans also belong to a subcategory of percussion instruments . This categorization can be attributed to the percussive accents and melodies that can be created with them. This type of instrument is usually played with the hands. The sound instrument usually lies on the handpan player's lap or on a suitable stand. Depending on the desired sound and intensity, handpans can be played with the heel of the hand, fingers and thumb, but of course also with mallets. There are no limits to musical creativity. Once struck, handpans sound somewhere between singing bowls, ghatam and steel drums .
Where are handpans used musically?
The former niche product is becoming more and more of a focus with every stop and is therefore enjoying ever-increasing attention. All handpans we know are handmade and are ideal as a solo instrument . Its calming tone is often found in therapy sessions and meditation sessions. Once the singing bowl is set into vibration, great Goan sound worlds are created in a band context, street music or in combination with modern electronics.
What are Gu, Dimpel and Ding?
If you take a closer look at the common handpans, you will notice that most of the instruments are similar in their basic oval-round basic form . On the upper side of the two hemispheres glued together you will find the playing area. In the middle of the playing area is the dome - also called the thing . If you hit the outwardly curved dome, the lowest tone of the pan drum is heard. Around it, further sound fields are arranged in a zigzag manner in their tonal note sequence (tuning). Depending on the (basic) tuning of the respective instrument (D minor, D minor, A minor, etc.), they sound different. If you take a closer look at the circular sound fields of the instrument, you will notice that they are curved inwards - against the dome instead of outwards. The professionals refer to these internal curves as dimples . The sound hole can be found on the underside of the instrument. This is called Gu .
Where does the handpan come from?
The handpan's success story began in 2000 under the name Hang® . Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer from the Swiss company PANArt Hangbau AG , based in Bern, developed the original form of their Hang®. The Hang® was composed of two hemispherical elements made of sheet metal and its optics is very reminiscent of two steel drum singing bowls that curve outwards. The two hemispheres glued together are made of Pang, a gas-nitrided sheet steel material. In further steps, PANArt's original Hang was expanded into the well-known Hang® sound sculpture. According to its own statement, the PANArt company does not see itself as a production company and distances itself from the production of percussion instruments, handpans and hang drums. According to the company, each Hang® has to act as a unique sound sculpture and is considered a work of creative art that must be protected from mere copying by others.
Until 2013, the Hang® was manufactured in limited quantities in its original lens shape by the Swiss company PANArt. Since demand for the instrument has always exceeded supply, other manufacturers sensed their economic opportunity and began producing similar instruments. The lens shape , the layout and the form of the sound fields, the outwardly curved dome (Ding) and the arrangement of the lower sound hole (Gu hole) are protected by copyright.
Nevertheless, there are some brands that make good handpan or hang drum instruments that are similar to the Hang®, but probably do not violate the protected properties. By the way, the name Hang® may only be used for the Swiss original. As a result, over time a few more names and descriptions have been found for the Hang® or the handpan instrument . Hang Drum, Pantam, pan Drum and also Tank Drum are some names. In principle, the name is like the deonym “Tesafilm”. Everyone knows that this refers to the transparent adhesive strip, but of course the original can only come from the company of the same name.
Which handpan manufacturers can you buy from us?
As a specialist shop, we offer these special sound instruments from some brands such as Meinl Sonic Energy , Zenko , Spacedrum and Patera Handpan . In our selected range you will find various models in different designs, colors and moods. Most of our pan instruments are made of either stainless steel or nitrided steel. In most cases, the sound instruments including with a padded bag. We recommend before purchasing a handpan. try out different models. You are welcome to visit our branches in Walldorf and Frankfurt but of course you can also conveniently order your favorites to your home via our online shop.