The handpan, sometimes called the “hang drum” or “hang,” is a percussion instrument that has recently become increasingly popular among artists. Its extraordinary sound and ability to produce musical and metallic tones have captured the attention of many people, from beginners to advanced music enthusiasts.
It has changed many people’s lives who have said that playing the handpan is beyond music. However, to master this amazing instrument, one must put in a lot of practice and have a good teacher. You need to learn the basic playing techniques, use music sheets and tablature, understand a little about music theory, and still be left with an avenue to develop further as a player. So, if you’re lost and clueless about where to begin with this hang instrument, we have that covered. This post will come in handy if you’re ready to learn how to play this captivating instrument.
1. Master the Basics with YouTube Tutorials
Like many learners, various handpan drum channels often provide free, comprehensive, and well-thought-out lessons on everything. You can find all sorts of tutorials here, from basic hand movements to scale understanding to rhythm exercises.
Top YouTube Channels for Handpan Learning:
- Yatao Music: A duo that provides tutorials and inspiration with their mesmerizing performances.
- Daniel Waples:A pioneer in the handpan community, Daniel’s channel mixes tutorials, live performances, and insightful tips for handpan enthusiasts.
Free, high-quality content, accessible at speed without relying on anyone else. You are provided with demonstrations that allow you to pick up techniques quickly.
2. Handpanner
Handpanner is a go-to app for anyone looking to practice their scales and experiment with melodies on a virtual handpan. It provides a realistic sound experience and is ideal for those who don’t yet own a handpan but want to practice.
Features:
- Offers various handpan scales for exploration.
- Interactive interface replicating the touch and feel of a real instrument.
- Ideal for beginners learning scales or improvisation.
Handpanner is a versatile and portable practice tool. It’s beneficial for experimenting with different scales before committing to a physical instrument.
3. Notepan
Notepan is a cutting-edge music notation software explicitly designed for handpan players. It runs on Windows and Mac OS and empowers them to read, write, and share handpan tablatures. Such development is, indeed, revolutionary for all sorts of players.
Learning your favorite songs with Notepan becomes easy. Be it Sam Maher or Malte Marten; you can just dive into the library. You can set the playback speed so you can take on the challenge at whatever skill level you’re at.
Features:
- Offers a streamlined way to communicate and collaborate with the handpan community.
- An extensive Tablature Library lets you learn songs from artists like Sam Maher and Malte Marten.
- Adjustable playback speed
- Choose from 20+ scales and 40+ pre-created instruments, or design your own with configurations ranging from E2 to D6.
- Built-in player mode to listen to your compositions and play along to improve rhythm and accuracy.
- Easy to use, even for beginners with no prior musical knowledge.
- Online Sharing and Collaboration.
4. Digital Pantam
Digital Pantam is a versatile and innovative app that brings the enchanting sounds of the handpan, also known as the pantam, to your fingertips. It transforms your device into a portable handpan, making it an essential tool for music lovers at all levels. Whether for creativity, practice, or relaxation, this app is the ultimate way to experience the magic of the handpan.
Features:
- Explore over 50 musical scales, including Kurd, Hijaz, Raga, Celtic, Integral, and Harmonic Minor.
- Multi-touch functionality
- Enhance your music with additional percussion instruments like maracas, tambourines, bongos, tabla, and bells.
- Relaxing visual effects
- Music recording and sharing
- User-friendly interface
- Discover additional features and upgrades through in-app packages.
Digital Pantam is an all-rounder hand pan tool drum for every level. Handpan players can practice and compose music anywhere, while professional musicians develop melodies, and meditation facilitators enjoy soothing tones. Music enthusiasts with absolutely no experience can also indulge in playing beautiful melodies effortlessly. Therefore, Digital Pantam is a perfectly suitable tool for everyone, from curious novices to seasoned professionals.
5. Master the Handpan
The best online learning platform available to students of all levels is Master the HandPan, which offers structured courses by David Charrier. Each course is designed so that students can build up their skills in a gradual yet enjoyable way. With step-by-step courses, it has a clear, guided way to master one of the arts, that is, the hang instrument.
This massive course library on MasterTheHandpan has lessons for everybody and caters to all levels of artists, novice or advanced, from scratch. The videos are very easy to follow and deliver fast-paced learning taught by expert handpan players.
Besides providing courses, MasterTheHandpan has live and on-demand workshops, private coaching sessions, and entertaining challenges to keep you dynamic and excited about your progress. You can monitor your progress, rewatch lessons when needed, and participate in activities to make learning fun and rewarding.
Features:
- Structured lessons from beginners to advanced players.
- Easy-to-follow videos taught by world-class handpan experts.
- Connect with a global community for feedback and inspiration.
- Access live sessions and recorded workshops anytime.
- Personalized guidance to accelerate your progress.
- Monitor your growth and revisit lessons for practice.
6. Handpan Dojo
Handpan Dojo is a premier learning platform founded by Grammy-nominated handpan virtuoso David Kuckhermann. With over 20 years of professional experience and a global teaching impact of 10,000+ students, David has created a space beyond instruction to foster a vibrant handpan drum community.
The platform offers access to 100+ free lessons, making it an excellent starting point for beginners. Through these lessons, learners can master basic techniques, compose their first melody, and discover a variety of teaching styles from multiple instructors, each bringing their unique perspective to the art of handpan playing.
Features:
- A rich library of lessons catering to all skill levels.
- Guidance from multiple world-class instructors, providing diverse approaches to learning.
- Community-focused initiatives aimed at empowering handpan enthusiasts globally.
Whether you’re a novice or looking to refine your technique, Handpan Dojo provides an engaging and transformative learning experience.
7. Handpan Communities and Forums
Connecting with other handpan enthusiasts is a great way to stay motivated and learn from others’ experiences.
Top Platforms:
- Reddit’s r/Handpan: A vibrant subreddit with tips, tutorials, and gear recommendations.
- Facebook Groups: Communities like “Handpan Players United” offer a mix of advice, sales, and virtual jam sessions.
These platforms foster collaboration and provide valuable insights from players of all skill levels.
Whether you’re looking to escape the confusion of endless online tutorials or seeking expert guidance to bring out the true beauty of your hand pan drum, these provide everything you need to become a skilled player.
