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You want to buy a handpan? Supposedly the answer is YES. And immediately many different questions arise. Here you will find all the answers when searching for handpan drums for sale that will help you avoid all the pitfalls.
What is the price of a handpan ?
Let's be honest, the tongue drum is not a harmonica or a glockenspiel. It is a serious instrument that requires craftsmanship. Each handpan membrane is tuned with custom molds and hundreds of hummer hits to produce the perfect sound. Creating steel pan instruments is a multi-step process. And it's no wonder it costs what it costs. Prices in the handpan market can vary widely, but typically start at $1,500 to $1,600.
How not to get ripped off ?
Avoid misleading offers, scalpers and used drums. Because, you will probably find many "amazing deals" offering a hanging drum for $1,000 or even $500. Let's face it, you can't get Lamborghini quality for the price of Uncle Tony's banger. Deals on original handpans under $1000 are "forbidden territory" if you want to get a really good instrument with a fine sound. Also, avoid used drums and there is a good reason why you should. You never know what condition the instrument was in before it became yours.
How to choose the drum/scale ?
Choose the sound characteristics and your level of proficiency. You may not be ready to buy a new instrument every few months. So deciding on the right scale is really important. On the one hand, choosing a scale depends on your taste. But you should also keep in mind that some scales are more difficult to handle than others. If you're still learning to play the handpan, it's a good idea to choose a minor Celtic scale.
It's a good scale to start with. But you can get a lot of mileage out of it as you move to the next level of mastery. If you feel confident enough, you can experiment with scales like F Pygmy or D major that can be tricky for a beginner.