Handpans

The handpan is a musical instrument that has enjoyed growing popularity in recent years. Similar to tongue drums (steel tongue drums), handpans also belong to a subcategory of percussion instruments. This categorisation stems from the percussive accents and melodies you can produce with them. These instruments are usually played with the hands. The instrument typically rests on the lap of the handpan player or on a suitable stand. Depending on the desired tone and intensity, handpans can be played with the palms, fingers and thumbs, but of course also with mallets. There are no limits to musical creativity. Once struck, handpans sit sonically somewhere between singing bowls, ghatam and steel drums. 

Where are handpans used musically?

What was once a niche product is moving into the spotlight with every strike and is attracting ever wider attention. All handpans we know of are handcrafted and make excellent solo instruments. Their calming tone is often used in therapy sessions and meditation circles. Once the sound bowl is set in vibration, however, great Goa-style soundscapes also emerge in a band setting, busking or in combination with modern electronics. 

What are Gu, dimples and the Ding?

If you look more closely at common handpans, you'll notice most instruments share an oval-round basic shape. On the upper side of the two glued half-spheres you'll find the playing surface. In the centre of the playing surface is the dome – also called the Ding. If you strike the outward-curved dome, the lowest tone of the handpan sounds. Around it are further tone fields arranged in a zig-zag pattern according to their tonal sequence (scale). Depending on the instrument's root tuning (D minor, A minor, etc.), these sound differently. If you examine the round tone fields more closely, you'll notice that, unlike the dome which curves outwards, they are curved inwards. Professionals call these inner dimples. On the underside of the instrument there is also the sound hole, which is called the Gu.

Where does the handpan come from?

The success story of the handpan began in 2000 under the name Hang®. Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer of the Swiss company PANArt Hangbau AG based in Bern developed the original form of the Hang® back then. The Hang® was assembled from two half-sphere elements made of sheet metal and visually strongly resembles two outward‑curved steel-drum bowls. The two glued half-spheres are made from Pang, a gas-nitrided steel sheet material. In subsequent steps PANArt developed the original Hang into the well-known Hang® sound sculpture. According to its own statement, PANArt does not see itself as a production company and distances itself from the manufacture of struck instruments, handpans and hang drums. Each Hang®, the company says, should rather be regarded as a unique sound sculpture and is considered a work of creative art that should be protected from mere copying by others.

Until 2013 the Hang® was still produced in limited numbers in its original lens shape by the Swiss company PANArt. Since demand for the instrument has always exceeded supply, other manufacturers sensed an economic opportunity and began producing similar instruments. The lens shape, the layout and the shape of the tone fields, the outward‑curved dome (Ding) and the arrangement of the lower sound hole (Gu‑hole) are protected by copyright. 

Nevertheless, some brands offer good handpans or hang drum instruments that resemble the Hang® but apparently do not infringe the protected characteristics. The name Hang® may only be used for the Swiss original. Over time other names and descriptions have been used for the Hang® or the handpan instrument. Hang Drum, Pantam, Pan Drum and also Tank Drum are some of these names. In principle it's like the deonym "Tesafilm": everyone knows it refers to clear adhesive tape, but the original can of course 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 several brands such as Meinl Sonic Energy, Zenko, Spacedrum and Patera Handpan. In our selected range you'll find various models in different designs, colours and tunings. Most of our pan instruments are made either from stainless steel or nitrided steel. In most cases the instrument comes with a padded bag. Before buying a handpan we recommend trying different models. You can visit our branches in Walldorf and Frankfurt for this, or of course order your favourites conveniently from our online shop to be delivered to your home.