Handpans, also called hand drums or kalimbas, are a type of musical instrument that has been around for over 3,000 years. They have been used by different cultures all over the world and will continue to be played in the future. Handpans vary in size and sound depending on what you’re looking for as well as your personal preferences. When purchasing one of these instruments, it’s important to understand how they work before making a purchase so that you can get exactly what you want out of your new purchase!
Decide how much you can afford to spend.
Once you’ve decided to buy a handpan, the next step is to figure out how much money you can afford to spend on it. Handpans can range from $200 to $20,000 depending on their materials and tuning process. The more expensive ones are usually made of better materials (marimba bars) and are tuned by a professional who has studied music theory for years. On the other hand, cheaper ones are often made from plastic or metal; they’re usually not tuned by someone who knows what they’re doing!
Get familiar with the size and shape of handpans.
The first thing you will want to do is get familiar with the size and shape of handpans. Handpans come in all different shapes, but they can be grouped into two main categories: cylindrical and conical. Cylindrical handpans are round or oval and have a wide bottom that tapers off at the top (think of an hourglass). Conical handpans are more like teardrops or hourglasses they have a thick middle section, which then narrows down to small ends.
Cylindrical handpans tend to produce lower notes than conical ones do because their large surface area allows for more air vibrations when struck by mallets. This makes them ideal for playing bass notes, which require more power than high notes do. On the other hand, conical models have smaller diameters compared to their length; this means there’s less space inside each tube for air vibrations making them better suited for higher-pitched sounds such as melody lines or solo passages where volume isn’t as important as tone quality.
Listen to different types of sounds from various producers, makers, and brands.
If you’re just starting out, it’s important to listen to the sounds of different makers and brands. By listening closely, you can learn what kind of handpan will work best for your needs.
There are many different types of handpans that produce different sounds. Each one has its own character and personality; some have bright tones while others have dark tones. Some have a lot of sustain while others don’t sustain at all. If you want something mellow sounding, then this model may not be right for you because it doesn’t sustain as much as other models would (this means that when someone plays this instrument, there aren’t any echoes).
Consider buying an unfinished handpan for DIY projects.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option and want to do it yourself, consider buying an unfinished handpan. Many sellers offer these options because they can be difficult to finish and sometimes require additional tools. An unfinished handpan can be the perfect canvas for DIY projects like adding your own artwork or sound holes.
You can also make your own sound hole designs using different materials such as wood, metal or even plastic! You can choose what type of sound hole works best with your design preferences by considering factors such as size, shape and coloration when deciding on what material would work best for your project.
If this sounds intriguing but overwhelming at first glance (or if you’re just not sure how much time/money/skill level), there are plenty of tutorials available on YouTube which will help guide you through the process step-by-step so don’t worry too much about getting lost along way!
Ask for recommendations from your friends who have played with handpan before.
One of the best ways to find out what kind of handpan you should buy is by asking people who have already bought one. Ask them what they like about their handpan and how much they spent on it, as well as whether they would recommend it, and why or why not. You can also ask them if there are any other instruments that are like yours (or even better) that might be worth considering instead.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on the right one.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on the right one. In fact, you can buy a handpan for as little as $100 and if you’re just starting out and aren’t sure how much you like playing this instrument, it may be better to go with something cheaper so that if it doesn’t work out for you, then at least it won’t leave such a big hole in your wallet!
Conclusion
With all that in mind, we hope you’re ready to get started on your handpan journey. You can start by asking yourself what type of sound and feel you want from your instrument. Are there any specific features or brands that appeal to you? Once you have an idea of what type of pan will be best suited for your needs, you can begin researching different options available on the Sonodrum today!