The history of the handpan is relatively recent, even though its distinctive sound may remind listeners of metal instruments from different musical traditions. The instrument emerged in Europe in the early 2000s and gradually gained recognition among musicians around the world thanks to its combination of melody, rhythm, and an intuitive playing technique.
To understand when, where, and how the handpan originated, it is important to look at the history of the Hang, the instrument created in Switzerland by PANArt. From the Hang, new approaches to construction, tuning, scales, and materials emerged as makers around the world developed their own instruments. This evolution eventually gave rise to the diverse handpan community and instrument designs we know today.
What Is a Handpan?
A handpan is an acoustic metal musical instrument played with the hands and fingers. It has a rounded body made from two joined metal shells, with tuned areas that produce different notes when struck. Different parts of the hands can be used to play the instrument and create a variety of percussive sounds.
Its design allows rhythm and melody to coexist in a single instrument. By playing different notes, musicians can create melodic sequences, harmonies, accompaniment, rhythmic patterns, and improvisations without mallets or other accessories. Some of the main characteristics of a handpan include:
- A rounded metal body;
- Notes generally arranged around a central note;
- Playing primarily with the hands and fingers;
- A variety of scales and tunings;
- A distinctive tone with sustained resonance.
The arrangement of the notes is one of the features that makes the handpan unique. Rather than including every note of the chromatic scale, a handpan is usually built around a specific selection of notes designed to create particular musical relationships.
When was the handpan invented?
The origins of the modern handpan date back to the early 2000s in Switzerland. Its history is directly connected to the Hang, an instrument developed by the Swiss company PANArt in Bern.
The first Hang was presented in the year 2000, marking an important moment in the development of a new approach to melodic metal instruments. Its creation was the result of research by PANArt founders Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer, who had been exploring the acoustic properties of steel and different approaches to metal percussion.
The Hang was not originally created as part of a broad category called “handpans.” It was a specific instrument developed by PANArt. The broader handpan category emerged later as other makers developed instruments influenced by some of the Hang’s fundamental concepts.
What Is the steelpan?
To understand how the Hang came about, it is important to learn about the steelpan, a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. Made from steel and played with mallets, the steelpan features different tuned areas on its surface and can produce melodies and chords.
Felix Rohner became interested in the steelpan and studied its characteristics and sonic possibilities. This interest contributed to PANArt’s research into different ways of working with metal and developing musical instruments.
The steelpan is therefore part of the historical context that influenced the development of the Hang, but it should not be treated as its direct predecessor. PANArt manufactured steelpans for many years before beginning work on the Hang.
How was the Hang created?
The Hang was developed by PANArt in Bern, Switzerland, through research into the behavior of steel and the characteristics of different metal instruments.
Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer wanted to create a new musical experience that would allow people to explore metal using their hands. The couple once received a visit from a friend who had returned from India with a Ghatam, a percussion instrument shaped like a pot. The friend asked whether they could make a similar instrument out of steel, incorporating the notes of a steelpan.
This question led to research and the development of several prototypes. The result was a rounded instrument made from two metal shells, featuring a specific arrangement of tuned areas.
The first model had a central area called the Ding, which produced the main note and served as a tonal reference for the other notes.
The concept differed considerably from the traditional way of playing metal instruments with mallets. While the steelpan is played on its concave surface, the Hang is played on its convex surface. Musicians could explore the instrument directly with their hands, using different parts of their fingers to produce variations in attack and timbre.
What Is the relationship between the Hang and the Handpan?
The Hang is the instrument created by PANArt that inspired the broader development of what is now commonly called the handpan. The two terms are closely related, but they do not refer to exactly the same thing.
Hang is the specific name of the instrument developed by PANArt. Handpan is a broader term that came into use to describe a range of steel instruments developed by different makers with related characteristics.
This distinction is important when discussing handpan history. The Hang was not originally introduced as one example of a category called “handpan.” It was a specific instrument developed by PANArt.
Over time, other makers began creating their own instruments inspired by aspects of the Hang’s design and playing concept. These instruments introduced different approaches to:
- Steel and other materials;
- Note layouts;
- Scales and tunings;
- Registers;
- Shell construction;
- Tuning techniques.
As a result, the modern handpan world includes instruments that can differ considerably from the original Hang while still sharing some fundamental concepts.
How did the Handpan become popular?
The handpan gained popularity gradually as musicians began performing with the instrument, introducing it to new audiences, and sharing their experiences with other players.
Its unusual sound helped attract people looking for melodic instruments outside more traditional categories. The ability to combine rhythm and melody using the hands also made the instrument particularly appealing for solo performance and improvisation.
The growth of an international community of players was another important part of its development. As more people discovered the instrument, new makers, performances, gatherings, workshops, and online communities began to appear.
This created a feedback loop: more players generated greater interest, while more makers expanded the range of available instruments, scales, and playing approaches.
How did the internet help popularize the handpan?
The internet played a major role in introducing the handpan to audiences around the world. Videos of musicians playing the instrument allowed people in different countries to hear its sound without ever having encountered a handpan in person.
Video platforms and social media also helped create international communities of musicians. Players could share performances, techniques, compositions, tutorials, and information about different scales and instruments.
Digital media was particularly important because the character of a handpan can be difficult to describe with words alone. A recording or performance allows listeners to hear characteristics such as:
- Timbre and resonance;
- Note sustain;
- Attack and dynamics;
- The relationship between rhythm and melody;
- Different approaches to improvisation.
As more performances became available online, the handpan reached audiences far beyond the small circles in which it was initially known.
How has the handpan changed over the years?
Since the emergence of the Hang, instruments in this family have undergone several transformations. Makers began experimenting with new construction techniques, materials, and tuning methods.
One of the main developments has been the growing variety of available scales. While the earliest instruments featured a specific arrangement of notes, makers gradually introduced new combinations to accommodate different musical preferences.
Initially, the instruments featured a central Ding and seven or eight surrounding notes. Over time, other makers added more notes around the central area, introduced mutant notes and off-center Dings positioned closer to the middle, and eventually incorporated additional notes and Dings on the underside of the instrument.
Materials have also evolved. Different types of steel are now used to achieve specific characteristics in terms of timbre, sustain, response, and durability. These developments have resulted in modern handpans that can differ considerably from the earliest instruments.
What handpan scales have been developed?
The evolution of the instrument has resulted in a wide variety of handpan scales. Each scale contains a particular group of notes and therefore creates its own melodic possibilities and overall character. Some scales commonly found among modern handpans include:
- D Kurd;
- Amara/Celtic;
- Hijaz;
- Harmonic Minor;
- Low Pygmy;
- Aegean;
- Ashakiran;
- Mystic;
- Nordlys;
- Minor;
- Major.
D Kurd, for example, has become one of the most familiar choices among handpan players. Other scales offer different musical characteristics and may appeal to players with more specific preferences.
This variety gives musicians the opportunity to choose an instrument based not only on its appearance or construction, but also on the musical language they want to explore.
What materials are used in modern handpans?
The earliest experiments that led to the Hang involved working with steel. The original Hang instruments were made from nitrided carbon steel. Over the past decade, stainless steel has also become increasingly popular. As the handpan market developed, different types of steel began to be used in instrument manufacturing.
Modern handpans can be made from different carbon steels and stainless steel alloys. Each material may have particular characteristics in terms of note response, sustain, timbre, durability, and sensitivity to environmental conditions.
Material selection is therefore more than an aesthetic decision. It is an important part of the instrument’s acoustic design and can influence the musician’s playing experience.
How has handpan manufacturing evolved?
Making a handpan requires precision because each note area must be carefully shaped and tuned. Over the years, makers have developed different techniques to control this process and achieve greater consistency.
Production continues to involve considerable craftsmanship, although modern tools and methods may be incorporated depending on the maker. In general, the manufacturing process can include:
- Selecting and preparing the metal sheets;
- Forming the two shells;
- Shaping the areas intended for the notes;
- Heat and thermochemical treatments;
- Tuning each individual note;
- Adjusting resonance and harmonics;
- Joining the shells and applying the final finish.
Each maker may use their own production methods, and these choices contribute to the distinctive sound of their instruments.
How are handpans made today?
Modern handpans are generally made from two shaped metal shells joined together. The upper shell contains most of the note areas, while the lower shell may include additional notes and usually features the Gu, an opening that contributes to the instrument’s acoustic behavior.
Tuning is one of the most important stages of production. The maker must shape and adjust each note to achieve the intended frequencies and establish an appropriate relationship between its fundamental tone and harmonics.
The tuning process influences the instrument’s timbre and its ability to maintain stable tuning as the musician plays. The goal is to ensure that each note responds accurately and remains balanced, both when played individually and in combination with other notes.
For this reason, making a handpan involves much more than shaping a piece of metal. It combines knowledge of materials, forming techniques, acoustics, psychoacoustics, and tuning.
What types of steel can be used?
The material used depends on the maker’s design and manufacturing approach. Different types of steel can produce different tonal responses and physical characteristics.
Stainless steel, for example, is known for its resistance to corrosion and can provide particular characteristics in terms of sustain and response. Certain types of carbon steel are also valued by makers and musicians for their tonal qualities and playing response.
There is no single material that defines every modern handpan. The final result depends on a combination of factors, including:
- The type of steel;
- Metal thickness;
- Heat treatment;
- Forming techniques;
- Tuning process;
- Note layout;
- Overall construction.
These elements work together to determine the character of the finished instrument.
How do makers create different handpan scales?
Creating a handpan scale begins with deciding which notes will be included in the instrument and how they will be arranged around the central note. Each choice affects the melodic and harmonic possibilities available to the musician.
Once the layout has been established, each note area is carefully shaped and tuned. The goal is to create appropriate musical relationships between the notes while maintaining a balanced response across the instrument.
Scale selection also involves choosing the central note and the instrument’s register. This is why two handpans can feature the same scale but belong to different registers and offer distinct sonic experiences.
Why did the handpan become so well known?
The handpan’s growing popularity can be attributed to a combination of factors. Its distinctive shape, unusual playing technique, and recognizable sound make it stand out among other musical instruments.
The emergence of more handpan makers also made it possible for musicians to explore a broader range of scales, materials, registers, and playing characteristics.
At the same time, the internet connected musicians and listeners across countries, making it easier to discover performances, compare instruments, learn techniques, and participate in a growing international community.
Today, handpans can be found in live performances, recordings, personal practice, workshops, musical projects, and contemplative settings around the world.
The history of the handpan is therefore still being written. From the development of the Hang in Switzerland to the handcrafted instruments being produced by makers around the world today, its story shows how a relatively young instrument can develop into a diverse musical tradition.
At Mudra Handpan, this spirit of experimentation and craftsmanship continues through the creation of handmade instruments designed for an expressive playing experience. Explore Mudra’s handpans and discover different scales, materials, and tonal possibilities as you begin or continue your own journey with this unique instrument.