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Handpan Demystified - A rhythmic approach to the handpan
4 students

Handpan Demystified - A rhythmic approach to the handpan

Whether you’re exploring, performing, or simply unwinding, this course helps you make the instrument your own via rhythm
Created byDemian Arriaga
Last updated 3/2026
English

What you'll learn

  • Ideas, tools and techniques to play handpan and elevate your confidence as a musician and songwriter
  • How to play basic notes, how to understand different subdivisions, how to improvise and create your their own melodies, rhythms and ideas.
  • Playing basics
  • Applications to modern music and meditation/free form compositions

Course content

11 sections26 lectures1h 40m total length
  • Introduction, Purpose & Approach3:33
  • Challenges3:15
  • Choosing Your Handpan1:51
  • To Stand Or To Sit2:28
  • Positioning4:29
  • Anatomy7:30

Requirements

  • A handpan, tongue drum or any similar instrument, in any scale.
  • Knowing how to count to 4 is all you will need.

Description

This course gives you a clear, grounded approach to the handpan focused on rhythm, tone, and musical intention. I will help you build a strong foundation while exploring coordination, syncopation, dynamics, rests, odd meters, and creative approaches to improvisation. The goal isn’t just to play patterns, but to blend structure and intuition so you can play freely and musically. This course is for beginners who want a calm, supportive, and logical introduction. Also for musicians and songwriters looking to add a melodic-percussive voice to their music. Sound healers and yoga practitioners incorporating live handpan into sessions can also find use in these lessons and of course, the casual players who want to relax, explore, and play with confidence will get a lot out of this course. Attached you will also find the whole course PDF  consisting of every single example and pattern I show you, done in a way that is universal and NOT handpan specific, meaning that it's rhythm focused and not note focused. Alongside this pdf, you will find downloadable drone tracks, in every key, which will provide a vibe and harmonic foundation for you to play along to and apply what you have learned. Once finished you will have the tools to blend structure with intuition as you discover new ways to improvise, compose, and connect emotionally with your instrument.

Who this course is for:

  • Beginners who want a calm, supportive, and logical introduction to the handpan world. Musicians and songwriters looking to add a melodic-percussive voice to their music
  • Sound healers and yoga practitioners incorporating live handpan into sessions. Casual players who want to relax, explore, and play with confidence