The handpan fascinates people worldwide: A metallic body, nine to 22 tones – and immediately creates a spherical sound that touches the heart and ears. But those who delve deeper quickly realize: the choice of scale is crucial. From ethereal and meditative to fiery and oriental, it determines the emotion your handpan conveys. This guide gives you the complete tools to understand scales, listen to them, select them, and use them creatively.
What is a handpan?
- Instrument family: Idiophones (self-ringing instruments)
- Construction: Two deep-drawn steel half shells, glued/welded
- Sound fields (thing + notes): Central bass tone (“thing”) + ring-shaped sound fields
- Tuning: Each note is usually tuned to an upper and lower octave and a fifth – brilliant overtones are characteristic
- Playing style: Strikes with fingertips, palms or thumbs – no tools required
Overview of the most important handpan scales
| category | Typical spelling | character | Example tones (central tone D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | D Major / Ionian | bright, triumphant | DEF♯ GABC♯ D |
| Doric | D Dorian | melancholic, but a little brighter | DEFGABCD |
| Kurd | D Kurd / Natural Minor | dark, "cinematic" | DEFGAB♭ CD |
| Hijaz | D Hijaz | oriental, dramatic | DE♭ F♯ GAB♭ CD |
| Celtic | D Celtic Minor (Doric without 6) | folky, lyrical | DFGACD |
| Pygmy | D Pygmy | dreamy, close to nature | D – A – C – D – E – F – G |
Modal scales in detail
Ionian (major)
- Structure: Whole–Whole–Half–Whole–Whole–Whole–Half
- Sound: Clear, optimistic, pop-compatible
- Tip: Perfect if you play along with guitar or piano.
Doric
- Structure: Minor key, but major sixth
- Sound: Jazzy and cheerful, yet profound
- Improv trick: Alternate between minor chords (1) and major 4 for cinematic harmonies.
Phrygian
- Structure: semitone right at the beginning → tension!
- Sound: Spanish flamenco-like
- Application: Ideal for percussive solos.
Lydian
- Special feature: Augmented fourth (#4) → floating
- Sound: Dreamlike, “Disney soundtrack”
- Playing idea: Arpeggios of ♯IV create a floating effect.
Mixolydian
- Characteristic: major third + minor seventh
- Sound: Blues, folk and rock feeling
- Tip: Ideal for gospel-style call-and-response patterns.
Aeolian (natural minor)
- Standard minor: universally applicable, emotional
- Pairing: Strings or vocals work perfectly.
Exotic & ethnic scales
| scale | Origin / Style | Feeling | Sound note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hijaz | Middle East, Arabic | Unexpected tension | Typical semitone 1½ semitone sequence |
| Saba | Turkish Makam music | Sad-oscillating | Microtonal nuances, special build required |
| Melog Selisir | Indonesia (Gamelan) | Bell-like, hypnotic | Pentatonic scale without semitones |
| Ake Bono | Japanese | Minimalist, peaceful | 1 – b2 – 4 – 5 – b6 |
| Pygmy | Central Africa | nature, earth, forest | 1 – b3 – 4 – 5 – b7 |
Note: The same scale on a different central note ("root") will sound noticeably different. A D Hijaz will sound deeper and warmer than an F♯ Hijaz.
How do I choose the right scale?
- Scenario: Solo meditation? Then a pentatonic scale like Pygmy or Celtic is suitable. Modular scales like Ionian or Dorian are suitable for ensemble playing.
- Pitch & Vocal Range: Low scales like D or C sound warmer, while higher ones like F♯ or A sound brighter and airier. Choose to suit your voice!
- Complementing an existing handpan: If you already have a handpan, pay attention to the harmonic complement – e.g., D Kurd with A Pygmy.
- Emotional impact: What do you want to express? Peace, longing, joy, or excitement?
- Test with audio samples: YouTube, handpan concerts, or sound snippets on manufacturer websites can help you decide.
Tips for buying & combining multiple handpans
- Cross-circle concept: Combine scales that complement each other harmonically (e.g., D Kurd + G Celtic).
- Transport & Care: Be sure to use a protective case. Different sizes require different bags.
- Check the tuning: Handpans go out of tune over time. Good manufacturers offer a retuning service.
- Choosing a manufacturer: Buy from reputable handpan makers or visit a festival to test the instrument in person.
Exercises & improvisation ideas
- Scale progression: Play all the notes up and down one after the other. This helps with muscle memory and orientation.
- Ostinato: Keep the root note (e.g. ding) in time and improvise over it.
- Call & Response: One hand asks a musical question, the other answers rhythmically or melodically.
- Rhythm variation: Play familiar patterns sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, sometimes with pauses – this brings life into the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I change scales later?
No. The notes are permanently encoded. A new scale requires a new handpan.
How many tones are ideal for beginners?
8–9 tones (including ding) are clear and still offer a lot of creative potential.
Can I start without any previous musical knowledge?
Yes! Pentatonic scales, in particular, are error-tolerant. Music theory helps, but isn't essential.
Which scales are particularly popular?
D Kurd, D Celtic Minor, D Hijaz and A Pygmy – here you will find a lot of material and sound samples.
Closing words
The scale is the heart of your handpan. It determines how you sound—and how you feel while playing. Whether you're creating meditative soundscapes, developing groovy rhythms, or simply losing yourself in your own world: the right scale is key. Listen to your gut feeling, experiment a lot—and enjoy the journey.
Have fun exploring and playing – your team at Panaraya.com!
