5 Tips for Choosing the Best First Handpan
- Mark D'Ambrosio
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Looking for the best first handpan? The handpan market has grown greatly in recent years and choosing a handpan can be difficult for new players. Choosing the best first handpan means selecting an instrument that is exciting to play, sounds good, and stays in tune.
Here are five quick tips for finding the best first handpan:
1. Quality Over "Deals": Avoid the Scam Trap
In the early days of the handpan, these instruments were incredibly rare. Today, they are everywhere—but that isn’t always a good thing. It is easier than ever to end up with a low-quality instrument or even to get scammed by a fraudulent website.
When you’re planning to buy a handpan online, the golden rule is to choose a specialist. Avoid big online stores or auction websites that don’t focus on handpans.
If you see a handpan for a very cheap price (like $300) and it looks high quality, it’s usually a scam. These cheap handpans often arrive out of tune, are made with low-quality steel and don’t have the balanced sound and rich sustain that a real handpan should have.
Instead, it is always best to buy directly from a trusted handpan maker or a well-known distributor. Find a reputable company that offers high quality instruments and support even after your purchase.
2. Don’t Buy "Sight Unseen"
The handpan is a deeply personal instrument. Every pan has a unique "voice" depending on the material, the tuning style, and the maker. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, and you shouldn't buy a handpan without hearing it first.
Make sure you see high-quality videos of the exact pan you are buying if you can’t play the instrument in person. At Planet Handpan, we help players bridge this gap through Free Virtual Visits. You can hop on a video call with us to ask questions, hear different pans played live, and find the one that resonates with you before it ever ships.
3. Pick the Scale That’s Right for You
Since handpans are "diatonic" instruments, they are built in a specific scale and understanding this is a big part of how to choose a handpan that fits your style. Unlike instruments like the piano, you don't have every note available, so the scale you choose largely defines the "mood" of your playing.
While you should always follow your heart, there is a reason the D Kurd 8 is widely considered the industry standard for a first handpan. It is a minor scale that is incredibly versatile; it can sound mysterious, hopeful, or melancholic. Because it is so common, most online tutorials (including those in the Planet Handpan Academy) are taught on D Kurd.
Choosing a popular scale like Kurd makes it much easier to find friend to jam with and follow along with lessons. However, if you do fall in love with a more unusual scale, tools like the Groove Engine can help you learn and jam in any key.
4. Find the Budget "Sweet Spot"
When choosing a handpan for beginners, there is a middle ground. You don't need to spend $3,000+ on a professional-tier masterpiece before you’ve even learned how to strike. However, underspending on a "budget" pan from a generic website is often a mistake.
If you buy a low-quality instrument, you may struggle to get a clear sound and mistakenly believe you are the problem, when in reality, the instrument is just poorly made. Furthermore, these instruments can be difficult to resell, meaning you may lose that initial investment entirely if you decide to upgrade later.
The goal is to find an artisan-built instrument that is reasonably priced but high-quality. The Sarana D Kurd 8 is designed to be the best first handpan for these exact reasons—it offers professional sound and stability at a beginner-friendly price point. To make our handpans even more accessible, Planet Handpan partners with Affirm, allowing for affordable monthly payment plans so you can get started playing right away.
5. You'll Never Find the "Perfect" Handpan (And That’s Okay)
New players often get stuck trying to find the one perfect handpan. In reality, there is no single instrument that does everything. Every pan is a bit differently and each has its own unique flavor.
The "perfect" pan for you is the one you enjoy playing every day. It’s an instrument you can grow with, learn from & develop a relationship with over time. Don't feel pressured to find the ultimate scale or layout on your first try. Most players find that their first pan is just the beginning - once you’re hooked, there’s a good chance "Pan #2" isn't far behind!
Ready to Start Playing?
If you're looking for an instrument that balances quality, playability, and value, the Sarana D Kurd 8 is a perfect starting point. It's built to last, easy to learn on, and even comes with a free soft case.
FAQs:
1. How much should I spend on my first handpan?
For the best first handpan, it’s good to stay somewhere in the mid-range. Super cheap instruments usually don’t sound great, while something super expensive isn't necessary when you’re just starting out.
2. Is D Kurd really the best handpan scale for beginners?
It’s popular for a reason. D Kurd is easy to play, sounds good in almost any situation, and most tutorials are based on it, which can make learning a lot smoother. Learn more here.
3. Can I learn to play handpan without any musical background?
Yes, absolutely. The handpan is one of the most beginner-friendly instruments. You don’t need to know lots about music to start making beautiful sounds. Learn more here.
4. Is it safe to buy handpan online?
If you purchase from a reputable builder or distributor, it can be. Always read reviews, watch videos of the exact instrument you want and stay away from offers that seem too good to be true.
5. How can I know a handpan is high quality?
A good handpan will respond to touch with ease, remain in tune and provide a clear, balanced sound. In videos, it is a warning sign if a handpan sounds dull or sour.
Comments