The steel drum tuned so every note you hit sounds right together
Is this the right fit?
- Best for
- someone drawn to the sound but intimidated by learning an instrument, meditation or sound-bath practice, and anyone wanting a piece that works as sculpture when it is not being played
- Skip if
- At $284 it is a real commitment for an instrument you may play for a month and shelf
- Check before ordering
- Confirm the dimensions, exact model, included parts and return terms on the Amazon listing before ordering.
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A handpan is a hand-tuned steel shell with a center note and a ring of tone fields around it. This one is a 22-inch D Minor Kurd scale at 432Hz with ten notes, which is the most common beginner scale because the notes belong to one mode and cannot clash. That is the reason people with no musical training can sit down and produce something that sounds intentional within minutes. It ships with a padded case, a stand, and mallets. Best fit: someone drawn to the sound but intimidated by learning an instrument, meditation or sound-bath practice, and anyone wanting a piece that works as sculpture when it is not being played. It is heavy steel, so plan a stable spot.
Pros
- D Minor Kurd is the standard beginner scale, so any note you hit fits the others
- No musical training required to produce something that sounds finished
- Ships with a padded case, a stand, and mallets, so nothing else is needed
- 432Hz tuning is what most sound-bath and meditation practice uses
Cons
- At $284 it is a real commitment for an instrument you may play for a month and shelf
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know music to play this?
No. The D Minor Kurd scale contains only notes that work together, so improvising sounds intentional from the first session.
What does 432Hz mean here?
It is an alternate tuning reference to the standard 440Hz. It is common in sound-bath and meditation practice. It will sound slightly flat played against a 440Hz instrument.
How do you play it, with hands or mallets?
Primarily with fingers and the pads of the hands. Mallets are included for a different, more percussive attack.
Does it hold its tuning?
Hand-tuned steel holds well with normal use. Avoid hitting it hard with a hard object, and keep it out of extreme temperature swings.
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