How to order a handpan
・Choosing a scale and number of notes・
If you're looking for your first handpan and can't decide which scale to choose, don't worry, you're not the first one and sure not the last one to have this dilema. Luckly it is not as hard as you might think if you get informed well.
The mostly recommended scale for your first handpan is D minor. There is a reason for it and let me explain.
There are lots of scales and some of them have a specific feel to them. For example the Japanese scale "Akebono" and Arabic scale "Hijaz". To get the best melodies and rythms out of them they have to be played a certain way. Lots of practice and knowledge goes behind them sounding beautiful. So it is not a surprise if you fell in love with it after listening to a good player expressing his or her self on it.
The important question is, are you going to be able to do the same? If you're thinking of buying your first handpan and have no musical background then the answer is, most probably not.
This is why D minor is a very good solution. Just because it is the most used scale in the handpan world does not mean that the scale lesser in its potential than others. On the contrary, being a nutural scale gives a player many more possibilities to create.
Having said that it is not a certainty and D minor may not be your scale. If you are born and raised in Japan or India for example then scales from that country might suit you better. On this one you will have to listen to your heart and your head.
It might be very tempting to buy a handpan with more than ten notes. You might think that since you are a beginner then more notes will make it easier. This is not the case every time. In many cases when learning to play a handpan it can be very confusing having so many notes and so many possibilities, figuring out which note goes well with other note and so on.
Again, it is not a rule but a simple suggestion. For start a nine note handpan is more than enough. As you get better with practice and your creativity kicks in, less notes will force you to be creative and on a nine note handpan there is plenty of potential to keep you busy for a few years.
Please take a look at available handpans that we have in stock (here) or a list of scales which we made easy for you to navigate through by categorizing them into groups (here).
・Planing your budget・
It is very easy and logical to think that since it's your first handpan to get a cheap one and if it works out for you then get a better qulity one later. Remember, you will not be a beginner forever. After a while you will meet other players and your knowledge of the sound qulity will expand. Many people then feel they should have saved or spent a little more.
Also please note that more expensive handpan does not guarantee better qulity.
It is wise to research and study as many videos as you can so you get an idea of a lower and higher quality sound. In the beginning it might be hard to hear the difference but trust me, after a while you will notice it.
・Ordering your handpan・
Now that the hard part is over and you have decided on your scale, number of notes and your budget it is time for you to make an order.
Simply write us a message at vibe.handpan@gmail.com confirming your scale and number of notes. Your order will then be placed on the waiting list which differs from month to month.
Once your handpan has beed complete we will send you a video demonstrating the sound quality by playing each note separately and slowly.
If you are satisfied with the quality of your handpan then we will proceed to the payment.
We will request your name, address and phone number which we will use for invoice and shipping.
Once your payment has been confirmed we will send you your handpan on the same day or the next.
We will also provide you with the tracking number.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask by contacting us as vibe.handpan@gmail.com