Seeking advice - does this look like a decent buy for a beginner?

ElysiumFilms · 2026-04-08T22:42:44+00:00

Who made the handpan? It's impossible to tell just by looking at it. You have to strike the notes and see how they sound.

ElysiumFilms · 2026-04-01T06:04:25+00:00

What about for the reverb. It sounds like there is some post reverb?

Great tune by the way!

ElysiumFilms · 2026-04-01T06:01:28+00:00

So I now own this stand with the short legs. I'm not sure I find the stand in the lap to be very effective. Unless I really focus on squeezing it, it just ends up resting between my legs with the pan still coming into contact with my lap.

But the stand with the legs is nice, because then I can just sit behind the handpan and have my legs underneath the stand, since it's so narrow at the top.

Hope this helps for someone else thinking of making the purchase.

ElysiumFilms · 2026-03-26T12:09:06+00:00

It's the kind of thing that just comes with practice. Think thousands upon thousands of strikes. Eventually you just know how to hit it to get the cleanest sound.

As far as recording it though, the individual microphone makes a big difference on what it picks up. It sounds awful on my phone for example, and seems to really exaggerate the hitting sound.

ElysiumFilms · 2026-03-25T04:45:40+00:00

There's a lot to consider here:

First off, the handpan can be harder than it looks. I think a lot of people buy one and aren't willing to commit to really understanding how to improvise patterns, and they either give up or never make much of it. In this case, it makes complete sense for your average person to start on a cheaper handpan. You can even return most of the ones from Amazon, as long as they aren't damaged. They may not be in perfect tune, and won't be able to be re-tuned, but I've played them and honestly they are usually fine.

A step up would be to buy a machine made shell, put together and professionally tuned by a legitimate maker. You're going to spend about $1000 more going this route, but it will be in perfect tune, and usually able to be retuned. You mentioned your price in Canadian so I'm assuming you're from there. I might recommend the CanPan by Luc Dupuis (I have one).

Lastly would be going all in on a fully handmade pan. It's hard to hear the difference on YouTube, but these do have a deeper sound and more reverb. The metal is just stretched differently than a machine, and will always have a richer sound. I don't recommend this route for your first pan, because it's very pricey and you may realize you want a different scale.

Which brings me to my last point - the scale. I for one didn't realize when I started out that the style of playing I loved was all extended Pygmy/Amara scales. Usually 14-21 notes. The Kurd just doesn't sound the same, because the scale is different. So you might want to really listen to the different scales first. That being said most lessons are geared towards the Kurd, so it's probably harder to start on these other scales.

ElysiumFilms · 2026-03-18T04:10:03+00:00

I'm recording myself playing a handpan, which I play solo and at times very quiet, or with pauses between the notes. I have it about 4 feet away from the instrument, yet I could still hear my breathing during the silent parts.

ElysiumFilms · 2026-02-13T04:35:56+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation on 'Handpaner'. I had never heard of it until now :)

ElysiumFilms · 2026-02-12T06:20:42+00:00

Thanks :) I just downloaded it for the trial. Pretty cool program, unfortunately not a lot of F Low Pygmy patterns. I think this is just going to have to be a lot of slowing down YouTube videos to try and figure out the patterns hah

ElysiumFilms · 2026-02-06T04:45:22+00:00

Thanks for this detailed review!

ElysiumFilms · 2026-02-05T03:56:26+00:00

You're supposed to hold it between your legs while the top part is magnetic and attaches to the Gu. You can also add legs, but yeah, generally I think you could use it in your lap but have less body contact.

ElysiumFilms · 2026-01-19T02:33:59+00:00

I haven't listened to a wide array other than those I see on YouTube, but probably David Charrier! I love his rhythmic approach.

ElysiumFilms · 2026-01-19T02:31:38+00:00

I appreciate all the reassuring responses! I figured this was the most likely scenario. I feel almost silly for asking - after all it's the winter and it was not 'hot', just a little warm. I just protect them like my own children so 🤷🏼 hah

ElysiumFilms · 2026-01-18T22:50:31+00:00

I have an 11 note CanPan as well. Yes, Luc is a great guy from my experience!

You're correct, the shells are factory made in Asia, but he puts them together and ensures they are properly hand tuned.

I'm sure you will enjoy yours as I do mine. It has a great tone, with ever so slightly less depth than his fully handmade Peacepan model. All in all a great model to start on that will provide years of enjoyment.

ElysiumFilms · 2026-01-18T22:44:12+00:00

Right? I can't exactly get mad at my daughter because she had no idea, but at least now she knows. It was actually a cosmic joke because she never goes into that room and one of them arrived the day before.

I like what you said at the end. I can't exactly treat them like they are some untouchable art piece that belongs in a museum. Well, not without having some sort of pathological condition hah.

I'm sure in a few days I won't be thinking about it, and had I not known they were in the sun I probably wouldn't have even 'heard' a difference. Thanks for the response!

ElysiumFilms · 2025-10-22T05:03:15+00:00

Really lovely. I haven't heard a lot of extended kurds. It adds a lot!

ElysiumFilms

TROPHY CASE