THE HANDPAN
A SONIC SPACESHIP
What is a Handpan?
Sound Sculpture | Alien Spaceship | Interactive Wind Chime
These are a few ways people have come to describe the handpan. And so much more occurs when we play — a beautiful dance, between the head (thinking) & the heart (feeling). Because the instrument is tuned to itself, fear lessens, making it more inviting to play. This grants permission for our creative, imaginative sides to reemerge from hiding. In addition to melodic musings, benefits come in the form of vibrational medicine (vibro-acoustics), positively resonating for both the player and audience. The handpan is a beginner friendly instrument.
« A BRIEF HISTORY »
The Hang® was created in 2000 by PANArt inventors Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer of Switzerland. Referred to as a Sound Sculpture, the Hang® was inspired by and based on the physical properties of the Trinidadian steelpan, Indian ghatam, Nigerian Udu, Thai gong and Indonesian Gamelan.* As a result, Felix & Sabina revolutionized the Trinidad steel drum by flipping a custom hand-hammered metal pan from a concave to a convex position.§ In 2007 the instrument term “Handpan” filtered into used, and has since remained a popular and universal name, in addition to “Pantam”. Handpan is a term for a group of musical instruments that are classified as a subset of the steelpan. Thanks to their initial creative spark in 2000, there are now over 300 makers and thousands of musicians across the globe – from grandparents who tap along with their grandchildren to touring professional in every music genre imaginable.
BUT WHERE DID THE HANDPAN COME FROM?
The handpan is an idiophone, meaning a musical instrument that creates sound primarily by the vibration of the instrument itself, without the use of air flow, strings, membranes, or electricity. Examples include: singing bowl, steel tongue drum, marimba. As mentioned, it is 24-years old, inspired by ancient instruments & technologies, and as a result, is steeped in a vast & rich history that can be explored. Inspired by the:
Steel Drum • Udu • Gamelan • Ghatam
« SHAPING THE METAL »
The basic form of a handpan consists of two metal half-shells glued together, a centre tone field (named Ding) surrounded by a circle of at least seven tone fields on the upper side and an opening in the bottom side (named Gu). Differences between manufacturers include the used materials, the manufacturing processes of the raw forms, the shaping of the tone fields and the tuning methods. *
* Thank you *Wikipedia *
sarah’s
COLLECTION
looking for a handpan!?
WANT A HANDPAN BEBEEE!?
SONIC STEWARD – In addition to being a handpan musician & educator, I am a classically-trained, intuitive sound practitioner, and love connecting handpans with humans!! Don’t let the “classically trained part” freak you out…I’m wretched at sight reading, but feel the music. Though I discovered it in 2016, it took me 5 years to navigate my yes & purchase my first handpan. Why do I mention this?
The #1 catalyst was that I finally felt comfortable & confident with understanding which one and why… That’s when I said YES!!!
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a handpan. It’s ok to ask for help! Don’t do it alone!
« QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER »
What is my intention for playing?
What kind of sound do I like?
How do my hands play?
Do I like a particular scale?
Handpan, tongue drum, other?
Am I trying to match it with other instruments?
Are Temu or Amazon handpans ok?
How many notes should I get?
Do I have a budget?
– FULL TRANSPARENCY –
Finding a handpan that meets your needs, takes time… easily an hour or more. While I am happy to assist, time is a precious gift, and I am fully present when working with you. As a result, I no longer offer free consults and charge a dollar a minute. Thank you for understanding.
– FRIENDS & AFFILIATES –
HANDPAN BUILDERS
View a list of featured Handpan Builders I work with (and often have available for purchase). In working with me to support your handpan journey, you will experience a one-on-one session to play a variety of sound models crafted by a variety of builders from across the country & globe.
NOT READY FOR A CONSULT/PLAY DATE?
That’s ok! Feel free to check out my event schedule and view upcoming offerings.
Since discovering the handpan in 2016, I have fallen in love with the instrument along with the vibrant, every evolving community! As a result, I now organize a variety of handpan events – from workshops, to performances with internationally renowned handpan artists, as well as annual gatherings. Below, a list of folks I get to call friends, who, like me, are serving and supporting the greater good through music, movement & connection.
Friends & Affiliates
Gathering Spaces
connecting handpans with community
Handpan Builders
crafting handpans for community
In addition to working with these makers, and resellers directly, I am also a handpan foster mom (aka: handpan steward & reseller). Often, I have handpans from most of these builders or affiliate discount codes.
Handpan Extras
accessories & education
As a handpan event organizer & handpan foster mom I often have handpan accessories available for purchase, available to try-before-you-buy, with a few affiliate discount codes available for use (check back in the new year).
