The handpan or hang drum is a rather new type of percussion every day becoming more and more popular. Today, owing to the constantly growing interest of individuals to play handpan, more and more accessories for musicians that play handpan have become available. From stands and cases to effects pedals and mallets there are now many accessories that can make your handpan experience even better. In this blog post, we will list and describe 8 handpan accessories that you should not be without.
- Handpan Stand
An excellent handpan stand makes it possible to position your handpan in the right height and angle for playing. Stands provide correct hand positioning for correct positioning on all notes which is important when playing on the handpan. They also protect your instrument when you are not using it to avoid cases of damages. Handpan stands range from simple metal stands to executive padded cradle stands, and they differ in design.
- Handpan Case
Cases protect your instrument from scratches, knocks and even weather conditions each time you are moving it around. Hold a case that is custom made to fit your particular makes and models of handpans with dense padding to afford protection. Business travellers should opt for the hardest shell designs since they are more protective. Some case options also come with built-in comfortable backpack straps for convenience of carriage.
- Handpan Mallets/Sticks
Handpan mallets also expand more play options since bringing new tones and multiple techniques into the melody. Different types of mallets include rubber, silicone, felt and wood. Density and rebound of mallets vary thus, the number of approaches available for stimulating vibrations of individual tones on a handpan. Heavy mallets also make it easier to produce louder sound.
- Effects Pedals
Foot controllers help to create layers and cool moods with minimal effort. Of all the types of effects, the most famous ones for making beautiful, atmospheric sounds are reverb and delay. Chorus and flanger, and even octave pedals are quite suitable to the rich palette of tones of the handpan as well. It can use just one pedal or connect multiple pedals together to create a vast range of sound design.
- Tuning Tools
When one starts experiencing the finer details of owning a handpan it is always great to have quality tuning tools. Every instrument needs tuning, over time, and most especially when metal is used for constructing them, since the change in temperature and humidity alters frequencies. Tuning kits which should be recommended for your handpan consist of rubber mallets, file, pitch pipes/tuners, and tuning markers.
- Microphones
Such versatility is easy to explain – a handpan microphone would allow you to unload your music to various online platforms instantly and integrate with PA systems for live performances. Condenser mics are specifically appropriate to pick up two and half octaves of the handpan’s frequencies and its complex harmonics. There are mini clip-on microphones that come with portable hands-free operation. These are suitable for professionals in recording and voice amplification which are large diaphragm condenser microphones.
- Mounting System
Handpan mounts enable one to fix the handpan to a mic or cymbal stand, drum rack or any other vertical bar. This creates possibilities like playing handpan hanging vertically or naturally within a hybrid percussion kit. This is a good reason to look for mounts that can be adjusted and have soft contact surfaces so that they do not harm the looks of the equipment they hold.
- Pickup Transducers
Another way to step up your acoustic handpan and link to a sound system is through pickups. Transducers feel the vibrations of the instrument and then change them into an electronic signal not using a microphone. Some of the most common types such as contact pickups remain on the interior shell for a while and under-mount pickups go near the lower aperture. Amplification accessories maintain the ring’s genuine tone for pickups intended for handpan use.
Conclusion
This includes outlining the Handpan Accessories that one cannot afford to miss when playing handpan. Everything ranging from case and stands and everything as effects and mounts for the handpan will make it easier for the professional handpan artist or the handpan player who has a hobby all the necessary ingredients to make a success out of it. Possibilities for the further development of accessories to accompany the instrument will become even bigger as the handpan rises in popularity.
No products in the cart.