How To Care For Your Handpan: A Guide To Handpan Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance are crucial for preserving your handpan's sound quality and longevity. This guide covers essential care tips applicable to all environments, with detailed explanations to help you understand the reasoning behind each practice.

Playing Technique

• Use soft finger strikes: Play with the soft part of your fingers. Handpans have thin, delicate playing surfaces typically ranging from 0.5mm to 1mm in thickness. This delicate construction makes them susceptible to damage or detuning from hard strikes. Using the pads of your fingers allows for a gentler touch, preserving the instrument's tuning and physical integrity while still producing rich, resonant tones.
• Remove jewelry: Take off rings, watches, and bracelets before playing. Metal accessories can scratch or dent the instrument's surface, potentially affecting its tuning. Even small scratches can create weak points in the metal, leading to future tuning issues or rust spots. Soft fabric accessories like wristbands can also interfere with the clean contact between your fingers and the handpan's surface, affecting your playing technique and the resulting sound quality.

Environmental Considerations

Heat and Sunlight

Avoid exposing your handpan to direct sunlight or high temperatures. Heat can cause the metal to expand, potentially altering the instrument's tuning. The precise tuning of a handpan relies on the specific tension and shape of each note area. When metal expands due to heat, this delicate balance can be disrupted, leading to off-pitch notes or an overall change in the instrument's sound. If your handpan becomes hot:

• Stop playing immediately to prevent further heat absorption and potential damage
• Move it to a cooler, shaded area to begin the cooling process
• Allow it to cool down naturally before resuming play. Rapid cooling (like placing it in a refrigerator) can cause thermal shock, potentially leading to cracks or further tuning issues

Humidity and Moisture

Moisture is a handpan's enemy, as it can lead to rust and corrosion. Even stainless steel handpans can be affected by prolonged exposure to moisture. Rust not only affects the appearance but can also impact the sound quality and structural integrity of the instrument. In humid climates:

• Wipe down your handpan with a clean microfibre cloth after each use to remove any moisture or sweat
• Store it in a dry, cool place with good air circulation to prevent moisture accumulation
• If it gets wet, dry it thoroughly and immediately, paying special attention to crevices and the inside of the instrument
• Apply some protective oil (Phoenix oil or organic substitute) to your handpan. This creates a barrier between the metal and moisture in the air, helping to prevent rust formation

Saltwater Environments

Salt accelerates corrosion in metal instruments. The chloride ions in salt can break down the protective oxide layer on the metal surface, leading to pitting and eventual rust. If you play near the ocean:

• Clean your handpan thoroughly after exposure to salty air using a slightly damp cloth, followed by a dry cloth
• Consider applying a protective oil more frequently to maintain a strong barrier against salt-induced corrosion
• If possible, when playing on the beach avoid getting sand on your handpan, as sand particles can scratch the surface

Maintenance Tips

1. Regular cleaning: Wipe your handpan with a microfibre cloth after each use. This removes oils from your hands and environmental debris that could corrode the metal over time. Our skin's natural oils, combined with dust and other particles, can create a corrosive mixture if left on the handpan's surface.
2. Protective treatments: Apply a thin layer of specialized handpan oil or other organic substitute periodically. This creates a barrier against moisture and corrosion. The frequency of application depends on your climate and how often you play, but generally, every fortnight is a good rule of thumb.
3. Proper storage: Store your handpan in a case when not in use, especially during transport. Always keep the "ding" (the central note) on the top side! This protects it from excess pressure which can affect tuning. The ding is often one of the most sensitive areas of the handpan, and storing it face-down can lead to detuning over time.
4. Avoid extreme temperatures: Don't store your handpan in very cold or hot places. Extreme temperatures can affect the metal's properties and tuning. Cold can make the metal more brittle, while heat can cause expansion. Both can lead to micro-changes in the metal structure that affect tuning.
5. Handle with care: Always pick up your handpan by its rim, not the playing surface. The surface of your handpan is delicate. Even small dents or changes in the curvature of the playing surface can affect the pitch and resonance of the notes.

By following these guidelines, you'll ensure your handpan remains in excellent condition. Remember, each handpan is a unique instrument, so when in doubt, consult with the maker or your handpan for specific care instructions. They will have the most accurate information about the specific materials and construction methods used in your instrument.

You can also contact us and we can provide you with more details about handpan maintenance.