Intermediate Handpan

First and foremost, range is what distinguishes an intermediate handpan from a beginner instrument: this type of handpan usually has more than 9 notes. However, the term is not governed by any standard, and each manufacturer draws the line differently—some start at 10 notes, while others include 13- or 15-note models with playable lower shells. Furthermore, it is not uncommon at this level to encounter instruments with bottom notes—low notes placed on the lower shell—which are generally accessible from the same playing position, allowing you to incorporate them into your rhythms without completely changing your posture. In addition, a handpan at this level responds across a wider dynamic range, so a light strike and a forceful one will produce two distinctly different tones that add depth to your music.

If you have already mastered a 9- or 10-note handpan, adding low notes will not complicate your basic technique and will primarily give you new textures and a broader musical palette.

It is a good idea to move up to an intermediate handpan when your first instrument no longer meets your needs and you feel limited by its scale or its notes. Several signs can help you tell:

• You can find every note with your eyes closed.
• Your tempo remains steady as you switch melodies.
• You can clearly hear the difference between a clean strike and a poorly executed one.

Generally, it takes months of regular practice—sometimes longer—to reach this point. These benchmarks are not a test, but they will help you assess your readiness. However, Instruments du Monde recommends that you do not switch instruments too soon because, in our opinion, moving up a level before you have the technique to benefit from it is the least worthwhile expense.

An intermediate player will generally find the right balance between 10 and 12 notes—a range that offers more possibilities while remaining easy to play. Although there is no universal rule, adding a tenth note tends to be the smoothest transition: it fills a gap in the scale while preserving most of your familiar reference points. With a 12-note handpan, you have nearly two octaves, depending on the scale, and can play three or four notes together to form a chord. Starting at 14 notes, instruments become more complex, and the line between intermediate and advanced levels, that of professional handpans, depends on the manufacturer, but extended models tend to feature bottom notes that provide continuous bass lines and fuller chords.

The most common starting point is D Kurd. If you already own an instrument in this scale, switching to a different key will allow you to expand your musical vocabulary. The Celtic minor scale features wider intervals, while G minor extends into a lower register. C major, meanwhile, offers a bright character that blends easily with other instruments.

On some extended instruments, bottom notes complete the scale, and extended versions are available in both deep minor and bright major tunings. Finally, for most handpans in our selection, you can choose between 432 and 440 hertz when placing your order.

Stainless steel generally offers longer sustain—meaning the note continues to resonate after being struck—along with a bright tone. Nitrided steel, on the other hand, provides shorter sustain and better-separated notes, with a crisp attack and a warmer sound, although sustain varies from one manufacturer to another.

In addition, a nitrided handpan is said to respond strongly to variations in force and angle, which can help you develop greater dynamic control. Some teachers also advise against finger slaps on the shell of a non-nitrided instrument, although you can still play the groove without this technique.

Yes, extended models are well suited to acoustic concerts and live performances. For recordings, a pair of microphones will better capture the sense of space and depth produced by an instrument as rich in harmonics as the handpan.

An intermediate handpan costs more because each additional note significantly increases the time required for tuning. Each note is tuned to three harmonics: the fundamental, its octave, and its fifth.

In return, you will get a richer sound and tuning that remains stable over time.