Mini Handpan

The mini handpan is especially appealing when size and weight matter more than the number of notes. All the notes are closer to your hands, making the instrument easier to play if you have small hands or short arms, or if larger models feel too bulky. The mini rests comfortably on your lap. Its lighter weight is also a plus during long playing sessions. It's also easy to transport, so you can take it to the park, on hikes, on camping trips, or to a friend's house. That's why it's often chosen as a travel handpan—a second or third instrument reserved for trips.

A mini handpan typically has 6 to 9 notes because its smaller surface limits the available space. Beyond eight notes plus the ding, each additional note is usually placed beneath the shell: these are the bottom notes. They wouldn't change the instrument's size or weight compared with a version without them, but on instruments of the same diameter, more notes means smaller, more closely spaced tone fields, which could require greater striking precision.

Most of the mini handpans in this collection have 9 notes, but you'll also find a 6-note version. The choice is yours between a very simple instrument and a more complete one.

Yes, you can find a mini handpan in D Kurd, although the entire scale doesn't always fit on a small-diameter instrument. That's why some manufacturers prefer to tune their minis to a closely related D scale, such as D Celtic, which differs from D Kurd by one note.

You'll also find mini handpans in Celtic or Amara scales. Other minor scales in D and E are available in smaller sizes as well. Finally, our selection includes a G minor scale.

A mini handpan could fit in a case designed for instruments measuring 16 to 18.11 in (40 to 46 cm), whereas a standard model requires a case for instruments measuring 20 to 22.05 in (50 to 56 cm).

You may be able to bring it on a plane as carry-on baggage, but this depends on the airline. You should therefore check with the airline before boarding. In fact, even a mini handpan exceeds the carry-on size limits of most airlines, which are typically around 22 × 14 × 10 in (55 × 35 × 25 cm). Some airlines have specific rules for musical instruments, while others apply their standard carry-on rules, and some may allow the instrument to travel in an additional purchased seat through a dedicated procedure. Your instrument will normally pass through security with your carry-on baggage, but if you need to check it, a hard or reinforced case is recommended instead of a soft, lightweight case to protect it.

There is no set minimum age for playing a mini handpan: the physical requirements mainly depend on the instrument's size. As a general rule, children can start playing a mini handpan between the ages of 8 and 12, while a full-size model is generally more suitable from ages 10 to 12, depending on the child's size and maturity. Some children can begin exploring the instrument as early as age 6.

Its smaller size is better suited to a child's proportions, making all the notes easier to reach on a lighter instrument. The instrument has no sharp edges or small parts, so its weight is the main consideration. That's why it's important to place it on a stand at the right height and supervise younger children while they play.

The number of notes is one of the main factors affecting the price of a mini handpan because each note requires additional hammering. Since space quickly becomes limited on a small shell, extra notes are often placed on the underside, and these bottom notes further increase the price.