There are as many handpans as there are handpan scales, each offering a unique mood. At first, it may seem confusing, so we’ve created a list of 10 to help you find the scale and sound that best suits you!
For each handpan scale, you’ll find a video link so you can listen to them all.
A handpan scale is the sequence of notes found on a specific handpan. Handpan scales are mostly not complete scales; they only contain a portion of the notes. These can include both whole and half steps.
The scale determines the tonality, mood, and consequently the emotions and feelings that the handpan evokes in both you and the listeners.
A scale can be major, minor, or a mix of both.
A major scale is a seven-note scale, where the intervals between the notes (whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half) form the basis of the major scale rule: every major scale follows this pattern.
Like the major scale, a minor scale is also a seven-note scale with the foundation: whole-half-whole-whole-half-whole-whole. The same rules apply to both major and minor scales.
In a handpan scale, notes are indicated by a letter and a number. The letter represents the musical note, and the number indicates the pitch, or the octave in which it resides. For instance, notes in the second octave are labeled as C2, D2, F2, etc.
For every handpan, the notes are listed in ascending order in the product description, with the lowest note indicated by a \ symbol.
The names of the scales can refer to the mood of the series of notes (e.g., D Celtic) or follow the traditional musical nomenclature of scales (e.g., E Minor). They can also be named after the 7 musical modes (e.g., C Aeolian).
The note preceding the scale’s name indicates the type of the scale (e.g., C, E).
Initially, the first handpans featured only 7-8 notes.
Since handpan scales do not encompass all musical notes, the makers typically used their intuition to name the scales.
As more manufacturers emerged, more scales were developed.
Today, there are about 200 different scales.
We won’t attempt to list them all, but there are timeless and popular scales worth getting to know.
Some scale names can be interchangeable because they consist of the same notes. Additionally, each scale may have variations.
The Amara or Celtic scales are among the most popular handpan scales, with almost every handpan maker crafting a version of these scales.
The Amara and Celtic scales are derived from the D Natural Minor scale, which is a version of the Irish and Scottish hexatonic or Dorian scale.
D Celtic handpan scale: D/ A C D E F G A C or D/ A C D E F G A D
These are excellent meditation scales, easy to emotionally engage with.
Listen here:
The Kurd is an Iranian scale adapted for the handpan.
The name “Annaziska” was introduced by the handpan community to highlight its natural minor sound.
Listen here:
“Aeolian” is a musical term that refers to the natural minor scale. Originally used in 14th-century Gregorian chants, it remains a modal scale today. However, in the world of handpans, the Aeolian scale means that the instrument’s notes follow a natural minor scale without interpretation in the context of modal music.
It is harmonious and extremely popular.
It contains both minor and major chords, making it ideal for beginners and a favorite among professional musicians.
It sounds great in combination with other instruments, and you can easily jam with fellow handpan players.
Since it contains the full minor scale, it’s easy to play soul-soothing melodies almost instantly.
D Kurd handpan scale: D/ A Bb C D E F G A
The mood can be mystical, dreamy, yet joyful.
Listen here:
The Pygmy scale is one of the earliest handpan scales.
It is a Dorian pentatonic scale, which contains 5 distinct notes.
This makes the scale unique as it sits between minor and major scales.
Additionally, the pentatonic scale is one of the oldest tonal arrangements known to humanity, which is why it resonates deeply and immediately with our souls.
The Pygmy scale is incredibly exciting, complex, and magical.
Its sound is delicate with a slight Indian influence.
A variant of this scale is the F Low Pygmy, often one whole octave lower.
F Pygmy handpan scale: F/ G Ab C Eb F G Ab C
Listen here:
The name originates from Arabic Maqam, which is a system of musical scales. On the instrument, the notes are divided into two groups (Jins Hijaz and Jins Nahawand), each consisting of 3-5 notes.
Its most popular variant is the Romanian Hijaz, which begins on the fourth degree of the scale.
The Hijaz is a variation of the Harmonic minor scale, with the key difference being the raised 7th degree. This gives it an exotic Middle Eastern sound, evoking endless deserts and providing a captivating musical experience. It can also be interpreted as a Phrygian dominant scale or a Mixolydian b2 b13 scale, allowing for characteristic flamenco melodies.
You can play both major and minor scales on it, and it sounds particularly good paired with a handpan tuned to a Kurd scale.
E Romanian handpan scale: E/A B C D# E F# G B
Listen here:
Similar to the Celtic/Annaziska/Kurd scales, the Integral is a form of a natural minor scale. However, the fourth degree, the G note, is absent from the scale. This results in a six-note, or hexatonic, scale, which can alter the mood and nature of the scale as some melodic possibilities are removed or transformed. This absence enriches and complicates chord progressions, offering different harmonization possibilities due to the lack of the fourth degree.
One of the earliest Handpan scales crafted by PanArt is known as the Integral Hang®.
It is characterized by a mysterious, introspective, and complex sound.
D Integral handpan scale: D/A Bb C D E F A C
Listen here:
MAG F Integral played by Ted Munyer
A Japanese-origin pentatonic scale, the Akebono is derived from the In scale, specifically the diatonic Miyako-Bushi scale, traditionally used in Japanese string instruments such as the shamisen and koto.
The “ding” is the root note of the scale, followed by the fourth and fifth degrees. In the Akebono scale, the notes appear in two groups of three, repeated in different octaves.
The character of the scale is significantly influenced by the presence of the root, fourth, and fifth degrees.
The intervals between the notes can create dissonance, yet they complement minor scales well, resulting in exciting and expressive melodies.
The Akebono scale has a deep, hypnotic, and alluring sound with an Eastern flair.
F# Akebono handpan scale: F#/ B C# D F# G B C# D
Listen here:
The unique feature of the Mystic scale is its extremely low starting note and exceptionally high ending note, creating a mystical and dark atmosphere.
Mystic is a hexatonic minor scale, similar to the Integral, but its last note is different.
As the 7th minor note is the highest, it divides the handpan into two sections: a higher register and a lower one.
C# Mystic handpan scale: C#/ G# A C# D# E G# B
Listen here:
The atmosphere of Ashakiran is uplifting, cheerful, with a touch of melancholy.
It comes in various versions, such as D and C Ashakiran.
When the instrument includes only the top notes, it is called Asha. The bottom-note extension is known as Ashakiran.
Unlike most handpan scales it begins with a step to the 4th rather than the 5th degree of the scale.
The C version is among the most popular scales due to its ease and enjoyment in playing, as well as its highly diverse sound.
The notes are: C3/ (D3) (E3) F3 G3 A3 B3 C4 D4 E4 (F4) G4 (A4) (B4) (C5) (D5) (E5)
We produce the C version, which is the most popular extended major scale. It begins slightly lower than the D. Like the D Ashakiran, it has an extremely diverse sound, allowing for simple, beautiful melodies to be brought out.
The 17 notes of the C Ashakiran are: C3/ (D3) (E3) F3 G3 A3 B3 C4 D4 E4 (F4) G4 (A4) (B4) (C5) (D5) (E5)
The Aegean scale refers to the beautiful and deep blue Aegean Sea, its sound evoking feelings as if floating on the endless sea.
The term “lydian” refers to a musical mode favored by the world’s most famous film composers, including Hans Zimmer and John Williams. The lydian mode is the brightest musical mode, which Williams describes as “The Magic Mode.”
The unique sound of the lydian mode is given by raising the 4th note by a half step, denoted as 4#.
The aegean / lydian sound is simultaneously atmospheric, ethereal, futuristic, with a sprinkle of magic, mystery, and hope.
Although the Aegean is a major scale, its sound actually falls between major and minor. Its atmosphere is cheerful, yet it has a darker, dreamy side. It is excellent for meditative music and energetic jamming as well.
The Unibearsum is a MAG’s own scale, developed in collaboration with our friend and handpan artist, Pável Norbert.
The Unibearsum was specifically created for mutant handpans, making it essentially an extended scale.
Currently, there is one version available, the E Unibearsum, featuring the following 17 notes:
(B2, C#3, F#3) E3 / G#3, (A3), B3, C#4, D#4, E4, F#4, G#4, A4, B4, C#5, D#5, (E5)
The scale covers multiple octaves, offering rich musical potential with a meditative and expressive sound.
Musical scales evoke different moods, feelings, and emotions in people.
Scales are sequences of musical notes.
Western music is based on the diatonic scale, consisting of 5 whole and two half steps within an octave.
Scales contain notes that are a whole or half step apart.
The C major scale, for example, is the simplest and most basic scale, with notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B.
If you picture the keys of a piano, pressing the seven consecutive white keys gives you C major, lacking any sharps or flats like C#.
Within a scale, each note can be labeled as a degree, so the first note of the scale corresponds to the 1st degree (in C major, this is C), and B is the 7th degree.
This is important because the names of handpan scales often derive from these musical modes, which are sequences of the seven diatonic scales.
By starting from different degrees, you can create various scales. For instance, in the case of C major, you can start on C or D.
There are many options to choose from, depending on your level, goals (playing solo or in an ensemble), the style of music you want to play, or which scale resonates most with you.
Listen to as many videos as possible on YouTube, but the best way is to try a Handpan in person, as that will ultimately be the deciding factor.
It’s worth knowing that mixed (major, minor) scales often have exotic sounds, while minor scales tend to be more neutral, which can be a good choice for beginners who are unsure.
