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Learn How To Play The Hang Drum / HandPan

By on February 26, 2013

In many ways the Hang, and HandPan are generally thought of as being quite intuitive instruments.  And at least part of their popularity stems from the fact that even those with no musical experience, or training, can pick one up, and start making some pretty nice sounds, with little to no guidance whatsoever.  And in my own personal experience, this tends to become true, just as soon as the novice player has mastered ‘the touch’ – a strike that is often described as being like ‘checking a stove to see if it is hot’, i.e. fast, and gentle.

However, with this said, my own playing has improved massively, from watching and paying closer than usual attention to others playing HandPan on YouTube and the like, and especially, from watching videos specifically intended to tutor in HandPan playing technique.

There are now a growing number of HandPan tutorial videos to be found online.  Instructing in everything from building, and combining simple rhythms, and melodies.  Through to more unusual HandPan tips, and tricks, such as how to ‘Sing the Ding’.  You can find a selection of free online lessons, by following this link.

Alternatively, and/or should you have exhausted the free resources mentioned within the above linked to post.  There are also a growing number of more comprehensive instructional DVDs available for purchase online.  These will take you from the very basics of learning to play the Hang drum / HandPan, on to and through, a selection of more advanced techniques that are guaranteed to add a whole new dimension to your playing.  More information can be found via this link.

And finally, should you prefer a more one-on-one approach, from somebody already gifted in the art of making steel sing sweetly, some players are known to offer lessons, both online, via SKYPE and such (such as those offered by Colin Foulke), or in person (such as those offered by Simon Wood).

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