FAQs
All the stuff you were about to ask
Which song can I choose for my handpan?
Any of them! Each song can be adapted to your handpan, and will display the right chords for you. Just chose the right ding from the drop down, and select the right model name. If you’re not sure your model name or its not on the site, use the ‘custom scale’ input to put in all of the right letter names. The song will be transposed to the right key for your handpan.
My handpan has bottom notes, can you display these?
At the moment, no! There is so much variety for underneath notes its too hard to show them, however you are welcome to integrate this in your own playing. If your bottom note is an ‘F’ then any time you use an F on top, you can add that note in below too and it will fit. Adding bottom notes is something we’ll consider in the future, so watch this space, for now just enter your top notes and see what you can achieve with them.
Do I have to play every note?
No, the PanScript provides you with a few options that work in the chord which few pitches you chose are a personal choice, you can select one, two or three notes to play every time you need that chord. The way you play is totally up to you, arpeggios, patterns and chords all work.
Why are some Chords Red?
Most handpans have a limit of 8 or 9 different notes, even extended pans tend to repeat the same pitches at different octaves. Handpan ChordBook chooses the best key for each song on your handpan, but some songs use some notes that are outside of the pitches on your handpan. This isn’t a huge issue if you have one or two red chords in a song, have a careful look at the chord,and play it as written. The audience may not notice at all that you’re missing a note. You could also ‘borrow’ a note from another handpan if you know what’s needed. If you have lots of red chords, try a different suggested key, music theory isn’t an exact science, so occasionally playing around can find a better key than we’ve suggested.
Can I play along with the original song?
Probably not. Each handpan is different but HCB transposes the song into a key that works best for your pan. Suppose your handpan is in D minor, this means we’ll suggest you make the home of the song D Minor. The writer might have originally planned F minor as their home. This means if you try to play along with a recording of the song the home chord might be a little different, but the melody and shape of the song will still work, we just start in the best place for the handpan. We’ve marked the original key, so you can always change ‘suggested key’ and give it a go!
I want to play and sing, but the suggested key doesn’t work for my voice
The Handpan ChordBook automatically chooses the best key for your handpan, however that key may not be the best for your voice. By unchecking the ‘suggested key’ box you can have a play around with different keys that might work better for singing. You may have a few more red chords, but the ear can fill in these very easily.
Can I you suggest a handpan maker?
Everyone is so unique, its a personal decision! It’s really important to find a handpan you resonate with, look for a local builder wherever you can. I play Celestial Sound, Elaia, RAV, Meridian, NamiPan, SEW Handpan, Isthmus and more, and I love the sound of them each for different reasons. I offer discount codes or links to some, so have a look at which makers I suggest.
Which scale should I buy?
Another individual question. I would consider the sound of them, which do you like? Kurds, Saybes and other complete scales are really helpful for covers, as you have one of every notes. I discuss this topic at great lengths on my YouTube channel, where you can see lots of my top tips for buying a new pan in this playlist. For covers I suggest avoiding Hijaz or Harmonic Minor handpans, but if you have a pan like this we can still make it work! Check out my Buying Guide Playlist on YouTube for more advice on purchasing a handpan.
Do I have to pay for Handpan Chordbook?
No, its free! I wanted to make a resource to help everyone understand their instrument better, so you can use the site for free! However it costs money to run, including all the costs to host a website, and a £350 a year licensing fee to use the well known songs.. If you enjoy the site please consider donating or joining the Patreon, or if you’d like to sponsor the site please do get in touch.
Can I learn with you?
I open up my lesson blocks every now and then, so check this link to see if I’m accepting online students at the moment. https://calendly.com/handpanfundamentals/lesson-with-rosie I run in person workshops with Handpan Academy Bristol, and Learn Handpan London, as well as a variety of festivals worldwide so check my instagram ect for more info on when these are happening and how to book.
How do I build a rhythm or groove around the suggested chords?
You can strike the suggested notes however you like, either all at the same time or one after another. You can try up or down in pitch order around your pan. For my list of beginner friendly suggestions try the Patterns Pack V.1 which is filled with fun ideas you can put straight onto your pan.
Can I request a new song to be added to the ChordBook?
Yes drop me a message through the Contact page, or via my email and let me know which song or artist you’d like me to include. I’m always looking to build, so do get in touch! Some songs don’t suit the instrument well, so I can’t promise to add it to the site, but I’ll check it out.
Will you feature my video?
Yes! If you’ve put together a cover for a song please get in touch with a YouTube link or invite @handpanchordbook as a collaborator on Instagram! It’s your chance to have more people see your version, and help more people hear about HCB so please do send an email or a tag and I’ll see if it’s right to be featured on the site! I love seeing everyone making covers, so no matter if you’re a beginner or experienced, PLEASE be brave and send it in.