Instruments
Characteristics and sound models
The instruments I build can be made with different materials, thicknesses, or Hertz frequencies.
Materials
Nitrided Carbon Steel: The material from which handpans were born. Ideal for players with a percussive style and those performing on the street.
Stainless Steel: It produces a longer and wider sound compared to nitrided carbon steel instruments. Nowadays, it is the most commonly used material for building handpans, suitable for players with a melodic or meditative style.
Ember Steel: Very similar to stainless steel but with a warmer sound.
Thickness
1 mm: Most handpans worldwide have this thickness. It provides more blooming overtones and a more ceramic sound. Perfect for higher-range instruments.
1.2 mm: Offers a deeper tone and warmer sound, but it allows for a smaller number of notes as they need to be drawn a bit bigger than in 1 mm. I usually recommend 1.0 mm for higher-range scales and 1.25 mm for lower ones.
Hertz
440 Hz: The tuning for most music we hear every day, and the majority of handpans are generally tuned to this frequency.
432 Hz: Instruments tuned to this frequency usually have a darker and less "pop" sound than those tuned to 440 Hz. Typically used for sound baths or music therapy.
Scales
Any scale from F2 to D6 can be done. Higher or lower notes should be discussed with the client. Custom layouts are also possible.