Everything was much more straightforward in 2001. The Hang from PANArt was the sole instrument available, and it was the only variety available. Just go to their store and test out the tools, after which you could either purchase them or take them home with you. You could even place an order. It grew progressively challenging to obtain an instrument throughout the following decades. As public awareness of the Hang® developed, so did the demand for them, to the point where PANArt could not keep up with the demand for them.
When PANArt stopped making instruments in 2013, many alternative producers had begun to produce devices, but their waiting lists were extensive due to the high demand that had built up.
The instrument is well-known and significantly more easily accessible than it was previously. Most of the time, it is easy to obtain a handspan in a relatively short amount of time. This plentiful supply creates a new dilemma. We are now having difficulty determining how many manufacturers are currently operating on the market, who they are, and what level of quality of work they provide.
‘What do I need to know to purchase a handpan?’ is a question that I see more and more of.
Price
A handpan is not particularly expensive for a handcrafted instrument, but they are by no means inexpensive. In the United States, the price of handbags is between $1,500 and USD 3,000 for 90% of them. Unfortunately, because the instrument is so highly sought after, some individuals mistakenly believe it represents a lucrative investment opportunity. As a result, you will encounter manufacturers that sell devices at a price that is excessively high in comparison to the quality they provide, as well as individuals who resale tools for significantly higher prices than they paid for them originally.
To put it another way, quality does not always correspond to a reasonable price. In this way, you can obtain excellent instruments for USD 1,500 and other substandard devices for USD 3,000 or more.
Nevertheless, do not be alarmed! If you put in a bit of effort and practice, your ear will assist you in making the best option.
Selection
Because this is such a big question, there is no simple response. But don’t be concerned… With a few thoughts and a little research, you may arrive at the best selection for you and your family.
Put your trust in your judgment: What characteristics distinguish an excellent handpan? It all comes down to sound quality.
Put your trust in your fingers: It is always preferable to try something before purchasing if at all possible.
Allow me to elaborate on each of these things in further detail:
Make use of a headset to assist you in picking up on the elements of each instrument, such as the instrument’s tone and sustain, the instrument’s tuning, the balance between notes, the dynamics of the device, and so on. (For more information, see point (ii) below.) Consider the contrasts between the devices you hear and make a note of them.
This will assist you in improving the sharpness of your hearing. Once you’ve mastered the art of listening, you’ll be able to identify the singer(s) who speak to you.
Your ability to distinguish between instruments that sound like saucepans and tools of superior quality will improve with time as you view more videos.
When it comes to the quality of an instrument, the number of views and likes on a video can also be a good indicator.
For those who find all of this confusing, I’ve put together a list of 7 characteristics of a high-quality handpan that will guide you through the process. Please take a look at it. If your handpan possesses all of these characteristics, you have a bomb on your hands!
Consider attending festivals, enlisting the help of handpan pals, posting a call on forums for local players, and contacting well-established handpan makers to see if you can schedule a visit. To be enjoyable to play and understand, a good handspan should be simple to learn and understand. Take your time, enjoy yourself, and learn as much as you can about it while keeping in mind the attributes listed above to watch for and listen out for.
Put your trust in your requirements: There is a tremendous variety of handpan scales available. All of the names may be unfamiliar to you and feel complex and overwhelming.
First and foremost, you must determine your preferences. Return to the YouTube website.
There are various minor and major scales to choose from, including the serious and the acute, the peaceful and the cheerful, bassy and bright, oriental, jazzy, bluesy, Celtic, etc. Is it for jamming with others, creating compositions, unwinding after a long day at work, or spicing up your present instrument set-up? Your handpan should be functional for you and your lifestyle. Thus your answer(s) here will assist you in narrowing down your possibilities to the most suitable ones.
Once you’ve decided on a handpan, compile a list with as much information as possible to ensure that you can adequately express your requirements to the handpan maker on the day you make your purchase.
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