A Complete Guide to Buying a Handpan: Sound, Steel, Scales, and Support
Buying a handpan involves more than choosing a beautiful sound from a video. The scale, steel, tuning, playing response, and person behind the instrument all matter. A good choice should suit the music you want to make, feel comfortable to play, and come with a clear path for care and support.
Hello my Friends!
There are many handpans to choose from, and it can be difficult to know where to begin. A polished recording or an impressive performance can draw you toward an instrument without telling you everything you need to know about owning it.
My advice is to spend time listening, ask questions, and think about how you want to use the instrument. An established maker may be a good choice, but a smaller maker can also produce thoughtful, high-quality work.
The instrument itself and the support behind it deserve your attention.
For demonstrations to accompany this guide, watch my video,
This written guide also explores scale choice, playing style, and care.
1. Start with the music you want to make
Before comparing instruments, choose a few examples of handpan music you enjoy. Listen again and ask yourself what attracts you.
Is it the clear separation between notes? Long, ringing melodies? Rhythmic patterns? A particular mood? The way a player accompanies their voice?
Those details give you something useful to discuss with a maker, seller, or teacher.
If you want to learn particular compositions, find out which notes those pieces require. If you want to play with friends, ask what instruments and tunings they use.
If you mainly want to explore on your own, give yourself time to listen to several scales before deciding.
You do not need to know your entire musical future. Having a starting direction helps you choose an instrument you will want to return to.
2. Listen for quality as well as character
A sound can be unusual and still be musically useful. A long sustain, a dry tone, or a strong percussive character is not automatically better than another approach.
I recommend listening to the instrument in several ways:
Individual notes: Ask for each note to be played separately, with time to hear it decay.
A simple melody: Listen to the balance as the player moves around the instrument.
A repeated rhythm: Notice whether the notes remain clear at the pace you enjoy.
Pairs of notes: Hear how the instrument behaves when sounds overlap.
Gentle and moderate playing: Check that you like its response across a useful range of touch.
If one note buzzes, sounds unusually harsh, or seems much less responsive, ask about it.
Some resonance between notes is part of the instrument’s character (sympathetic resonance or bloom);
an unwanted interaction (Cross talk often between 1/2 steps) that interrupts your music deserves closer attention.
A clear recording of the actual handpan for sale is especially valuable.
Reverb, compression, microphone placement, and the room all affect the recording. Ask for a simple demonstration without added effects when possible.
An experienced player or tuner can help assess something you are unsure about.
A chromatic tuner alone cannot tell you whether you will enjoy the instrument’s tone, response, or balance.
3. Understand the steel types
Steel influences the instrument, but the finished sound also depends on shaping, thickness, heat treatment, tuning, and the maker’s choices. Use the material description as a starting point, then listen to the individual handpan.
Material | What to listen for | Ownership considerations |
Nitrided steel | Often a more contained decay and defined attack | Requires attention to moisture and the maker’s protective-care routine |
Stainless steel | Often a longer sustain, with more overlap between notes | Generally more corrosion resistant, but still needs suitable care |
Ember Steel® | A stainless option developed by Ayasa; balance of sustain and tone, but essentially just "branded" stainless. | Follow the instrument maker’s instructions for its surface and finish. Can sometimes change color if not heat treated properly |
Raw or other treated/coated steel | Sound and response vary; ask exactly what the construction is | Untreated carbon steel needs particular rust protection; coatings require compatible care |
These are tendencies, not rules. You can play rhythmic music on stainless steel and spacious melodies on nitrided steel.
Nitrided steel
Nitriding is a treatment, rather than the name of an alloy.
If you enjoy a more contained sound, include nitrided instruments in your comparisons. Listen to how quickly the notes fade and how clearly repeated figures speak.
Stainless steel
Long sustain can be beautiful when you leave space around a melody. In busier passages, listen for how the notes overlap. You may love the resulting texture, or prefer a more separated sound.
Stainless does not mean that moisture, salt, fingerprints, or storage conditions can be ignored.
Ember Steel® and other names
Ember Steel® is a particular stainless steel material associated with Ayasa. Like other stainles steel, this shares many of the same characteristics.
Other sellers may use their own series or material names for their variety and alloy of stainless.
4. Choose a scale for your playing style
Scale choice is one of the most important decisions because it determines which notes are available.
Most handpans give you a selected collection of notes, rather than all the notes of a piano.
A pattern can move between scales, but a specific melody may depend on a note your instrument does not have. That becomes especially important when learning songs, accompanying a singer, or composing with particular chord changes in mind.
If you enjoy exploring freely
Try layouts with fewer distinct notes as well as fuller scales. A smaller selection can give your hands less to navigate and your ear a more focused set of choices. Play several different patterns, though, so you can hear beyond the first impression.
If you want to write songs
Look at how the available notes let you develop a melody, change the accompaniment, and create a contrasting section. This is where the exact note list matters more than a description such as “peaceful” or “mysterious.”
For example, a common D Kurd layout is:
D / A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G, A
The D before the slash is the center note. This layout contains the seven note names of D natural minor, with some repeated in another octave. It gives you several melodic and harmonic possibilities.
If you want to learn covers or follow tutorials
Compare the required notes and their octaves with the actual instrument. Two handpans described as D minor can have different layouts. A tutorial may rely on a low note, high extension, or underside note that yours does not include.
Some pieces can be adapted. Others will need larger changes. Check before buying an instrument for one particular song.
This said, handpans are not typically designed for covers!
If you want to play with other musicians
Share the full note list with them. Having the same center note does not guarantee that two scales will work together for everything you want to play.
Also check the reference tuning, discussed below. Compatible note choices and compatible tuning are separate questions.
If you are choosing by mood
Listen to several players on the same scale. Tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and phrasing can change its character considerably. A minor scale is not restricted to sad music, and a major scale does not require every piece to sound cheerful.
Choose a scale whose possibilities interest you, rather than expecting it to create one feeling automatically.
5. Decide how many notes you need
More notes give you more options, but only if they are notes you want and can comfortably reach.
A smaller layout can be a strong starting point for learning tone, rhythm, and complete songs. An extended instrument can offer additional bass notes, a wider melodic range, or notes outside the main scale. Those additions are most useful when you understand what they contribute.
Try moving between the notes you expect to use together. A beautiful bass note is less useful to you if the instrument’s position makes it difficult to access.
My priority would be an instrument with a sound, layout, and response you enjoy. A high note count by itself does not establish quality.
More notes DOES NOT equally a better player. Much of my music is written on 8-25 notes instruments. Limitation of number of notes forces innovation and for new players, more than 11 is just to many.
6. Check comfort and playing response
If you can try the handpan, spend more than a moment with it. Sit as you would at home. Notice the diameter, weight, distance between notes, and whether your shoulders and wrists can stay comfortable.
Play simple patterns. An impressive demonstration by the seller tells you what they can do; your own experience tells you what it feels like under your hands.
If you are buying remotely, ask for dimensions and weight, and discuss your intended setup. Think about whether you will use a stand, carry the instrument regularly, or need to reach bottom notes.
You should also have guidance on an appropriate strike. Difficulty getting a clear sound can come from technique, the instrument, or both. A short lesson or an experienced second opinion can help separate those questions.
Sign up for a free intro lesson here: https://www.rewildyoursoulmusic.com/book-online
7. Check 440 Hz or 432 Hz before buying
These labels normally refer to the pitch of A4 used as a tuning reference. They do not mean the center note of every instrument is A.
A handpan built around a 432 Hz reference will generally sound lower than the same note layout at 440 Hz.
If you want to play with a piano, recordings, another handpan, or a group, confirm the reference tuning they use.
For my own performance needs, I generally prefer 440 Hz. If you mainly play alone and prefer another reference, make that choice deliberately, knowing how it affects playing with others.
Do not assume changing the reference later will be a routine adjustment. Ask the maker before planning any substantial retuning or scale change.
8. Buy from someone who stands behind the instrument
This is a major part of the purchase for me. You should know who to contact after the handpan arrives and what help they can actually provide.
A dependable maker or seller should be willing to discuss the instrument’s sound, scale, condition, care, and service options. Clear answers before a sale help you understand the relationship you are entering.
Ask these questions:
Who made and tuned this instrument?
Who should I contact if I think a note has changed?
Is there a written tuning or workmanship warranty?
What does that warranty cover, and what does it exclude?
Who performs any retuning, and who pays shipping?
What is the return policy, including any fees?
Can you help me choose a scale for my goals?
This is the kind of personal connection I want people to have when buying through RewildYourSoul.
You can speak with me about the instruments offered on my site, your playing interests, and the questions you have before choosing.
Specific care instructions, return terms, and tuning support can vary between instruments. Confirm the details for the handpan you are considering rather than assuming one promise covers everything.
9. Compare the full cost
Set a budget that includes the instrument and what you need to use and protect it. Consider the case, shipping, any import costs, a suitable stand if needed, lessons, and future service.
A lower price does not automatically mean a poor instrument, and a higher price does not automatically mean it suits you.
Compare the actual sound, construction, service arrangements, and condition.
If you are ordering a custom instrument, clarify the deposit, estimated completion time, cancellation terms, and what happens if delivery is delayed.
Ask when you will hear the finished instrument and what happens if it does not meet the agreed specification.
If you are unsure whether to buy yet, ask me about opportunities to try an instrument or current rental availability.
10. Take extra care with a used handpan
A used instrument can be a worthwhile option. Older instruments can also have a character that appeals to you. Age alone tells you little about current condition.
Ask for recent photographs of both shells, the rim, and any marks or repairs. Request a current recording of every note, plus a short passage that moves around the instrument.
Find out whether it has been dropped, repaired, retuned, or stored in damp conditions. Ask who last serviced it and whether the maker or another qualified tuner is willing to work on it in future.
Cosmetic wear and playing problems are different questions.
A color change may be harmless, while a dent or tuning issue may require assessment. If something is unclear, ask an experienced tuner before committing.
Also confirm whether any original warranty transfers to a new owner. Use a payment method with appropriate purchase protection and agree on secure packaging and delivery arrangements.
11. Understand care before the instrument arrives
There is no single cleaning routine that fits every handpan. Steel, finish, coatings, climate, and the maker’s process can all affect what is appropriate.
Get written care instructions for your exact instrument. Maker guidance can differ: Isthmus explains care by material, while Saraz provides its own cleaning and storage recommendations. Use those as examples of why the maker’s instructions matter.
See a future blog for my care recommendations!
Everyday care
Play with clean, dry hands and gently wipe the instrument with a clean microfiber cloth afterward. Take care with rings, bracelets, and other objects that could contact the surface.
Use a stable support and a suitable case for transport. Avoid pressure on the note fields, and do not attempt to tune the instrument yourself.
Moisture and storage
Keep the handpan and its case dry. Follow the maker’s storage instructions, and never seal a damp instrument into its bag. Salt air, sweat, and humidity deserve extra attention, especially if you play near the coast.
Avoid leaving the instrument in a hot car or baking in direct sunlight. If its sound changes after temperature exposure, let it return to a comfortable room temperature before assessing it or contacting the maker.
Oils, cleaners, and rust
Use only products approved for the instrument’s finish. Do not assume every stainless handpan needs the same oiling schedule, or that household polish, abrasive pads, and solvents are suitable.
If you notice a new spot, take a photo and ask for guidance before scrubbing. Surface patina, staining, and corrosion may need different responses.
Retuning
There is no universal calendar for retuning every handpan. If a note begins to sound different, ask the maker or a qualified tuner to assess it. Careful handling, suitable technique, and knowing where to turn for help are all part of ownership.
A checklist before you buy
Before paying, make sure you can answer these questions:
Have I heard the actual instrument clearly?
Do I enjoy its tone in both slow and rhythmic playing?
Do I know the complete note layout and reference tuning?
Does the scale suit the music or lessons I want to explore?
Is the instrument comfortable and practical for me?
Do I understand its care needs?
Do I know the full cost and delivery arrangements?
Have I read the return and warranty terms?
Is there a real person I can contact for support?
Finding a handpan that fits you
Give yourself permission to ask questions and listen carefully. You do not need the largest instrument or the scale somebody else calls the best. You need a handpan that interests you musically, feels right to play, and has dependable people behind it.
ell me what music you enjoy, your budget, and whether you want to play alone, learn particular songs, or make music with others.
If you already own a handpan, explore my song-based lessons. We can work with the instrument you have and start developing your own music.
Remember, Rewildyoursoul.
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