The Variety of Sizes in the World of Handpans
Handpans come in a wide range of sizes, varying in diameter as well as height. We’ve seen instruments from other makers with diameters ranging from 40 cm to over 70 cm, while their heights can also differ, resulting in more compact or bulkier versions.
At Mudra, we currently focus on the 53 cm diameter, which is the most common among manufacturers. This size strikes the ideal balance between sound quality, practicality, and playability.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Sizes
Each handpan size has its own pros and cons, depending on the musician’s preferences and needs.
- Smaller Handpans:
- Advantages: Easier to carry and travel with, making them ideal for portability.
- Disadvantages: Usually offer higher-pitched scales and/or fewer notes due to their limited space.
- Larger Handpans:
- Advantages: Allow for more notes or lower-pitched scales, providing a broader tonal range.
- Disadvantages: Less practical for playing and transporting due to their increased size and weight.
At Mudra, we believe the 53 cm standard diameter perfectly balances these factors, delivering a rich sound, portability, and ergonomic design.
Interferences and Scale Limitations
Each handpan diameter is subject to certain unwanted interferences caused by specific notes, which can limit the available scales.
With 53 cm diameter handpans, one of the most recognized interferences occurs with the note Bb4, widely regarded as the most problematic. For this reason, we choose not to include this note in our instruments, ensuring sound quality and avoiding undesirable resonances.
In a future post, we will provide a more detailed explanation of these frequency interferences and their impact on handpan manufacturing.
Conclusion
While handpans can be crafted in sizes ranging from 40 cm to over 70 cm, the 53 cm diameter stands out as the ideal standard. It offers the perfect balance between practicality, sound quality, and musical range, which are priorities in the creation of our instruments. Every detail is designed to provide the best experience for the musician.