Handpan is a relatively new instrument with a distinctive sound ranging from delicate and gentle to strong and forceful. With a wide variety of scales available, choosing the right one may seem overwhelming at first.
The set of notes on a handpan instrument is known as a “handpan scale.” Typically, handpan scales comprise only a portion of a full musical scale, key, or mood.
Selecting the ideal handpan scale can be a very subjective and individualized process. The “best” scale frequently varies depending on your playing technique, musical tastes, and feelings.
There are many different scales of handpans, each with a distinctive sound. The musicians’ choice of scales will significantly influence their music. So, if you’re having trouble deciding on the scale for your first handpan, this article is for you. After reading this, you will understand handpan scales and know how to choose the handpan that most appeals to you.
Choosing the Right Handpan Scale
Eight or nine notes make up a standard handpan. Each handpan note consists of three frequencies: the fundamental note, its octave, and the compound fifth; all harmonized in a 1:2:3 ratio, which might initially seem limiting. Handpans are incredibly pleasant because of their deep, layered sound. Furthermore, rather than working despite its limited number of notes, the handpan concept works precisely because of it. Because the handpan is intuitive rather than academic, you can make music without worrying too much about music theory.
However, since the handpan only has one scale, choosing the appropriate scale is still crucial! Generally speaking, all handpan scales can be divided into three groups:
Major: Joyous, content, or serene.
Minor: Depressing or melancholy.
Flavorful: Ethnic or exotic.
Understanding Handpan Scales
You must understand a handpan scale before delving into particular scales. Typically, handpan scales are only a portion of an entire musical scale, key, or mood. The “Ding” is the instrument’s lowest note; in scale descriptions, it comes before a slash.
5 Popular Handpan Scales
- D Minor (D Kurd) Scale
Being a fully diatonic natural minor scale, this scale is well-liked by both beginners and expert musicians. It provides a variety of feelings and enables the composition of lovely and eerie tunes. Beginners can easily use this scale since it is frequently used in teaching films. The D Kurd is intuitive and easy to play, making it accessible to beginners and seasoned musicians.
It is perhaps the most popular and used handpan scale. It is considered one of the fairest, attracting emotional depth, but at the same time, it is full of hope and warmth, especially expressive as a visionary, mysterious, yet harmonious sound. This D Kurd music scale promotes and combines both introspection and happiness with each other which will go very smoothly to other musical instruments and handpans as well for presentation. This simplicity and depth that balances between them have become common in handpans.
- Celtic
The Celtic scale is one of the most widely used handpan scales on the market today. Its provenance from the historic Celtic scale, which is in Dorian mode, can be seen in its minor tonality. It produces an engrossing minor feel that is easy for novices to understand by eliminating the sixth scale degree.
For the most part, many people use Celtic and Amara interchangeably. The Celtic or Amara scale is available in almost every handpan manufacturer’s inventory. In the Celtic scale, the sixth scale degree is excluded, while it is elevated in Dorian mode. This gives you a minor-feeling scale that appeals to listeners and is easy for beginning players to understand. This scale undoubtedly captivates listeners, which feels insignificant save for the sixth scale degree.
- Pygmy Scale
One of the earliest handpan scales ever, the Pygmy scale is still widely used today. This type of Dorian pentatonic scale has five notes compared to the typical seven. Almost every ancient and contemporary civilization uses the pentatonic scale, possibly the most common scale in music. This most commonly utilised pentatonic scale in music appeals to all of us and has a captivating, intricate, and enchanted quality.
This composition’s unusual placement between a major and a minor scale produces a fascinating and enchanted tone. The Pygmy has a quality that makes it an intriguing, complex, and truly magical scale.
- Hijaz Scale
The Arabic Maqamat is the origin of handpans with the scale name Hijaz. The Hijaz maqam in B is incorporated into an E Harmonic minor scale to create the Romanian Hijaz, the most often used variant for handpans. Like a mirage in the desert, this scale captivates listeners with its surreal nature.
The two scale fragments (called Jins in Arabic) that make up the Maqam Hijaz (scale system) are three to five notes long. Jins Hijaz and Jins Nahawand are the two individuals present. The Romanian Hijaz is distinct from the Jins Hijaz because it begins on the fourth scale degree. The Romanian Hijaz transforms the Hijaz scale into a harmonic minor scale.
It differs from a natural minor scale in that the seventh scale degree is elevated. This elevated seventh alters the feel entirely from a natural minor to a dazzling major chord. This is another early handpan scale that has remained on the construction lists of many producers.
Players can attain a more intense and thrilling musical experience with this scale’s rich Arabic and Middle Eastern vibe, making it a timeless choice for many handpan enthusiasts.
- La Sirena
The La Sirena scale is a hexatonic variant of the Dorian mode, providing a minor tonality with a touch of a major character to create a dreamy and romantic ambience. The sound is penetrating, perfect for smooth jazz and introspective melodies. This scale is defined by its minor 3rd, minor 7th, and elevated major 6th. The missing subdominant note allows flexibility and easy transitions from natural minor to major tonalities. Based on the Ding note, the scale can sustain complex harmonic development and perfectly suits solo and ensemble compositions.
Originally developed by Pantheon Steel and named after the Spanish word for “mermaid,” this scale captures the magical allure of a mermaid – the alluring seaside siren. Popularized by handpanist Kabecao, its raised sixth and absent fourth notes create a distinguished Dorian soundscape that feels, at the same time, seductive and new. This subtle change of the traditional tones brings forth an entirely new scale, full of melodic possibilities and emotional depth.
I see that the “Next Story” arrows are pointing left again. A bit counterintuitive. Just my opinion.