Dive deep into the workings of the handpan (also known as the hang drum), a celestial-sounding musical instrument that fascinates as much for its beauty as for its potential for well-being. Whether you're a beginner or an expert handpanist, understanding its tuning, whether in D minor or exploring the Ionian, Aeolian or Mixolydian scales, is crucial.
ZenaPan offers you a premium selection of handpans, ranging from 9 to 17 notes. This article reveals the magic behind each note and scale, guiding you towards an informed choice, whether you're looking for a new or second-hand handpan.
Read: Where to buy a good handpan?
1. The handpan is a diatonic instrument
The handpan is a " diatonic " musical instrument, meaning that it does not include all the notes of the chromatic scale.
However, this does not prevent it from having wide scales. The diatonic scale can be both pentatonic and heptatonic.
In other words, it can be composed of five notes per octave or seven notes per octave. Now, the difficulty that all beginners encounter when trying to buy a handpan is understanding how the instrument they want to buy is tuned.
For Handpans whose scale is based on D minor, the melodic notes are generally as follows:
- Ascending : D, E, F, G, A, B flat, C sharp.
- Descending notes: D, C, B flat, A, G, F, E, D.
The standard deviation of Handpans tuned in D minor is the fifth. They are often found under the following name: D Celtic Minor. This is an Anglo-Saxon name.
2. From pentatonic to heptatonic
The technical vocabulary and the realities involved don't stop there. Since diatonic instruments only include a portion of the notes of the chromatic scale, handpan makers choose which notes of the scale to incorporate in each instrument.
To help you understand the scales and their names, we suggest the following table:
In addition to the pentatonic and heptatonic scales, the Handpan can also play a hexatonic scale, i.e. a six-note scale in a single octave. But we'll leave the difficulties there.
All you need to know is which scale your handpan is tuned to. The manufacturer will usually always tell you which scale you have chosen, like ZenaPan with its D minor handpans, which bring out more melancholy tones and are therefore better suited to music therapy.
3. The distribution of notes on a handpan
Rather than go into detail, here is the note distribution on a 10-note (9+1) D minor scale handpan sold by ZenaPan:
Each dimple corresponds to a note. The central note, the Ding, is often the lowest note, and the one to which the instrument is tuned, in this case a D minor.
The repetition of the notes A, D and C does not mean that they are identical. On the contrary, they are in two different octaves.
4. What is the 8+1 or 9+1 notation?
Handpans have only recently been developed, so no precise numbering of notes has been established by the hang industry. In other words, some manufacturers count all the notes and write the number 10 if the handpan has 10 notes, or the number 9 if it has 9.
In the video below, enjoy the melodies with a 9-note handpan tuned in D minor.
Others separate the notes on the dimples from the main note on the Ding, which is the upper part of the steel hang drum. They therefore note 8+1 for a 9-note hang drum, or 9+1 for a ten-note handpan.
So there's no difference between a 10-note handpan and a 9+1-note handpan, apart from the way the manufacturer numbers the number of notes on his instrument.
Read: What is the price of a handpan (or Hang drum)?
5. Understanding how the Handpan works
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Construction | Two hemispherical steel shells welded together with tuned zones for each note. |
| Materials | Made mainly from steel, with variations such as nitrided steel for sound and stainless steel for durability. |
|
Play |
Can be played with the hands or special mallets, with no need for prior musical knowledge. |
|
Maintenance |
Regular cleaning with specific oils to protect against rust and maintain sound quality. |
|
Difference with Hang Drum |
The 'hang drum' is the name given to the first instruments of this type by PANArt, while 'handpan' refers to similar instruments made by others. |
Curious to master the secrets of the handpan? Dive deeper into our Zenapan guides to understand how it works and choose your ideal musical companion. Visit our complete collection here!
Things to remember
Through the rhythms of the handpan, we discover a world where technique and emotion dance together. This seemingly simple instrument opens the doors to endless exploration, where each note resonates with a part of our being. By learning how it works, you're not just mastering an instrument; you're embracing an adventure that enriches the soul. The handpan invites us to play, to feel, and ultimately, to experience music in its purest form.
Ready to explore the captivating world of the handpan? Discover our exclusive collection and find the perfect instrument to start your musical adventure today.
FAQs
1. How does a handpan drum produce sound?
A handpan produces sound through the vibration of its tuned metal tongues, which resonate when struck by hands or mallets, creating harmonic tones and melodies.
2. What is the mechanism behind the handpan's sound production?
The handpan's sound is generated by the interaction of its concave shape and tuned tongues, which vibrate sympathetically to produce rich, resonant sounds.
3. What distinguishes a hang drum from a handpan in terms of sound production?
The difference lies in the materials and construction methods, affecting the timbre and resonance of each instrument despite their similar appearance.
4. How do you play music on a handpan or hang drum?
Playing music on a handpan or hang drum involves using hands or soft mallets to strike the tongues, producing melodic sequences and rhythms that blend harmoniously.
5. What are the acoustic principles involved in the sound of a handpan?
The sound of a handpan is influenced by acoustic principles such as resonance, harmonics, and the material properties of the metal, contributing to its unique and soothing sound profile.
6. What makes the handpan a popular choice for meditation and relaxation?
The handpan's calming and meditative qualities are enhanced by its harmonic overtones and tranquil soundscapes, making it ideal for mindfulness practices and therapeutic music sessions.