Published 11 September 2026 · Updated 11 September 2026
By World Handpan Map
Learn how many notes a handpan should have, what 8+1 and 9+1 mean, and whether a 9, 10, 12 or extended handpan is right for you.
When buying a handpan, it is easy to assume:
More notes = better instrument.
But that isn't necessarily true.
You might see one handpan with 9 notes, another with 10, another with 14, and huge extended instruments containing 20 or more.
Naturally, the instrument with more notes can look more impressive.
But more notes also mean:
For many beginners, a relatively simple handpan is actually the better choice.
So how many notes should your first handpan have?
For most beginners, somewhere around 8–10 total notes is an excellent starting point, although there is no universal rule. Current maker guidance generally recommends simpler 8–10-note layouts for new players, while larger instruments become more attractive when you know exactly what additional musical range you need.
Let's look at why.
First, we need to clear up some confusing terminology.
A traditional handpan normally has:
For example, a common D Kurd might contain:
D / A Bb C D E F G A
That gives you:
1 Ding + 8 surrounding notes = 9 notes total
But different makers and sellers describe this differently.
You may see a handpan advertised as:
8+1
This usually means:
8 surrounding tone fields + 1 Ding
So:
8+1 = 9 total notes
Similarly:
9+1 = 10 total notes
and:
10+1 = 11 total notes
However, not every maker uses the same notation.
Some simply call an 8+1 instrument:
9-note handpan
This is why you should always check the actual note list rather than relying only on the number in the product title.
Because there is no single universal product-labeling system used by every handpan maker.
One maker might write:
D Kurd 8+1
Another might write:
D Kurd 9
They could be describing essentially the same number of tone fields.
Before buying, ask:
Does this number include the Ding?
Even better:
Ask for the complete note list.
For example:
D3 / A3 Bb3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4
That tells you much more than simply seeing:
9 notes
Classic handpan layouts tend to be relatively simple.
A common configuration contains:
1 Ding + 7 or 8 surrounding tone fields
giving approximately:
8–9 total notes.
Modern handpans have expanded dramatically beyond these layouts.
Today you can find instruments with:
and even highly specialised instruments with 30 or more tone fields.
But just because those instruments exist does not mean beginners need them.
For most beginners, I would start by looking at:
8–10 total notes.
This range gives you enough musical possibilities without making the instrument unnecessarily complicated.
Multiple current maker guides similarly recommend roughly 8–10 notes as a strong beginner range.
A simpler layout helps you focus on:
instead of constantly searching for the next note.
Absolutely.
A well-designed 9-note instrument can offer years of musical exploration.
Take a common D Kurd:
D / A Bb C D E F G A
You can use those notes for:
Even with a relatively small number of notes, the number of musical combinations available is enormous.
D Kurd Handpan Scale Explained
A 9-note handpan offers a useful balance.
It is:
A simpler layout also gives each tone field more physical space.
That can help beginners learn where each note is without constantly looking down.
A 10-note handpan can also be an excellent beginner option.
Usually, that means adding another tone field and expanding the melodic range slightly.
You still have a relatively straightforward top-shell layout while gaining another musical option.
Some makers consider 9–10-note instruments an ideal beginner range for exactly this reason.
If the difference in price is reasonable and you like the additional note, a 10-note instrument can make a lot of sense.
Imagine two versions of a similar scale.
You have:
Ding + 8 tone fields
You have:
Ding + 9 tone fields
The additional note could extend the scale higher.
That may give you:
But it does not transform the instrument completely.
For a beginner, either can be an excellent choice.
This is where things become more interesting.
An 11- or 12-note instrument can offer substantially more melodic range without necessarily becoming extremely difficult to play.
For someone who:
this can be a very good middle ground.
Some current buying guides describe roughly 10–12 notes as a sweet spot for players wanting more range without moving into very complex extended layouts.
But for a complete beginner, you don't necessarily need them.
There are real advantages to larger handpans.
Additional notes can give you:
An experienced player can use those extra notes deliberately.
That is why extended handpans are increasingly popular among performers and composers.
Every additional note gives you another choice.
That sounds positive.
But when learning, too many choices can sometimes slow you down.
Instead of thinking:
What rhythm am I creating?
you may start thinking:
Which of these 17 notes should I hit next?
A simpler instrument encourages you to make more music with less material.
That can actually improve creativity.
Limitations are not always negative.
Imagine having only:
Ding + 8 notes
You begin discovering different ways to use:
Instead of relying on new pitches to create variety, you learn to create variety through how you play.
This is extremely valuable.
A musician can create something beautiful using three notes.
Another player can have twenty notes and create something completely unfocused.
Musicality comes from:
Note count is simply another tool.
An extended handpan contains more tone fields than a traditional layout.
These additional notes may appear:
Extended instruments can dramatically increase the available range.
Some modern handpans offer 12, 15, 17, 20 or more notes.
When there is no longer enough space on the top shell, makers can place notes on the underside.
These are commonly called:
bottom notes.
Bottom notes can provide:
They can greatly expand the instrument.
But they also change how you play it.
Usually, yes.
A top-shell note is visible and immediately accessible.
A bottom note may require you to:
This can be exciting for advanced players.
For a complete beginner, it adds another layer of complexity.
Usually not.
You can learn an enormous amount on a straightforward top-shell instrument.
Bottom notes become more useful once you begin thinking:
“I wish I had this particular note.”
That is very different from buying extra notes simply because they look impressive.
You may encounter the term:
Mutant handpan
This generally describes highly extended instruments containing additional tone fields, often across both the top and bottom shells.
There isn't one universal mutant layout.
They can vary enormously between makers.
Some modern extended instruments contain 17–20+ tone fields and offer something closer to a complete melodic workstation.
They can be extraordinary instruments.
But they are usually not necessary for someone buying their very first handpan.
Every additional note requires tuning.
But adding one note doesn't only mean tuning that single tone field.
The maker needs to manage how the new note interacts with:
As note density increases, acoustic interaction and cross-talk between tone fields can become more difficult to control.
More notes therefore often mean:
How Much Does a Handpan Cost? Handpan Prices Explained
No.
It simply offers a different toolset.
Think about guitars.
A musician with more strings does not automatically make better music than someone using six.
Likewise, a 17-note handpan gives you more range, but that range only becomes useful when you know how to use it.
A larger instrument becomes particularly useful when you know you need:
An experienced musician might say:
“I need a low C because it completes this chord.”
That is a strong reason to add a note.
Compare that with:
“17 notes looks cooler than 9.”
That is not such a strong reason.
Generally:
more notes = higher price.
This is because every tone field requires additional:
A simple 9-note instrument will often cost less than a comparable 17-note instrument from the same maker.
So when comparing prices, make sure you are comparing similar configurations.
How Much Does a Handpan Cost? Handpan Prices Explained
If your budget allows either:
a great 9-note handpan
or
a mediocre 15-note handpan
I would generally prioritise the great 9-note instrument.
You will benefit much more from:
than from extra poorly tuned notes.
Current maker guidance makes the same point: a well-tuned simpler handpan is generally preferable to a larger instrument with weaker tuning quality.
Imagine choosing between:
9 notes in a scale you absolutely love
and:
14 notes in a scale you do not really connect with.
The 9-note handpan is probably the better instrument for you.
Your scale determines the musical world you will spend most of your time inside.
Choose the scale first.
Then decide how far you want to extend it.
Best Handpan Scales for Beginners
A classic D Kurd might be:
D / A Bb C D E F G A
That gives you a strong basic musical vocabulary.
An extended D Kurd might add:
giving the player more range.
But the additional version may also cost significantly more.
For a first instrument, the classic layout may already give you everything you need.
D Kurd Handpan Scale Explained
Not necessarily.
For a beginner, fewer notes can actually make improvisation easier.
Why?
Because there are fewer choices.
You can focus on:
without overthinking.
Pentatonic and relatively open scales can feel particularly intuitive for this reason.
For experienced players, often yes.
A larger range gives you more options for:
This is why composers and performing musicians often become interested in extended instruments.
But you can write excellent compositions on a traditional 9-note handpan too.
You do not need many.
In fact, fewer notes can work beautifully for meditation.
Slow, spacious music often relies more on:
than huge melodic range.
A simple 8–10-note instrument can be more than enough.
Again, you do not need a huge instrument.
Rhythmic playing uses:
A player can generate an enormous rhythmic vocabulary from a relatively small note layout.
This depends on the performance.
A solo performer creating long compositions may benefit from an extended instrument.
Someone performing with several different handpans may prefer simpler instruments and switch between them.
Others use:
to expand their sound.
There is no universal professional note count.
This is an interesting decision.
You could buy:
giving you a broad note range in one handpan.
Or:
giving you completely different scales and musical moods.
Both approaches have advantages.
Multiple instruments offer more tonal variety.
One extended handpan may be easier for performance and transport than carrying several.
Additional notes can require larger or more complex instruments.
If you frequently:
weight matters.
A huge extended handpan may be amazing at home but frustrating to carry through an airport.
How to Fly With a Handpan: Airline Travel Guide
Larger instruments may also require:
This affects both:
cost
and
travel convenience.
Material also interacts with note count.
Extended layouts create additional acoustic interactions, and different makers may prefer particular steels for particular designs.
Do not assume the same note layout will behave identically on every material.
The maker's expertise matters greatly.
Stainless Steel vs Nitrided Handpan: Which Is Better?
When considering an extended instrument, ask:
Why did you choose these additional notes?
A knowledgeable maker should be able to explain how they expand the scale.
For example:
That is much more useful than simply advertising:
“17 NOTES!”
Handpan Makers: How to Find and Choose the Right Maker
One of the best ways to understand note count is to see different instruments in person.
Visit a maker and compare:
Play them.
Notice how your hands move.
Notice whether additional notes actually help you.
World Handpan Map can help you find makers around you.
Another great way to learn is by meeting other players.
Someone may have:
Playing them side by side can answer questions that specifications cannot.
If you're considering an expensive extended handpan as your first instrument, speaking with a teacher can be useful.
A teacher may help you understand whether you genuinely need those additional notes.
They can also explain what different layouts make possible musically.
For many beginners, either is an excellent choice.
Choose based on:
rather than worrying too much about one extra note.
If you love a 9-note instrument, don't reject it because another has 10.
Likewise, if the 10th note genuinely adds something you enjoy, there is nothing wrong with choosing it.
It can.
A 12-note instrument is still manageable for many beginners, particularly if:
But it is not necessary.
You can certainly start with one.
But ask yourself why.
If the answer is:
“I understand the layout and specifically want these additional notes.”
then it may make sense.
If the answer is:
“More notes must be better.”
I would keep comparing before buying.
Try this question:
What do I want to play that I cannot play without the additional notes?
If you cannot answer yet, you probably don't need a huge extended instrument.
Start simpler.
As your playing develops, you'll begin to understand which notes you genuinely miss.
Large extended handpans look impressive on Instagram and YouTube.
Watching an advanced musician move across 20 notes can make a smaller instrument feel limited.
But remember:
you are watching someone who may have spent years developing their technique.
Your first instrument has a different job.
It needs to help you:
learn, explore and enjoy playing.
For a typical first-time player:
Excellent starting range.
Good if you want slightly more range or already have musical experience.
Consider if you specifically understand why you want the additional notes.
Wonderful tools, but generally not necessary for learning the basics.
These are guidelines rather than rules.
Your ideal instrument can be different.
Before choosing your handpan, ask:
For most beginners, around 8–10 total notes is a strong starting range.
It offers plenty of musical possibilities while keeping the layout relatively simple.
Yes.
A well-designed 9-note handpan can provide years of musical exploration and is more than enough for learning technique, rhythm, improvisation and composition.
Not automatically.
A 10th note gives you slightly more range, but scale, tuning quality and sound matter far more than one additional note.
Usually:
8 surrounding tone fields + 1 central Ding = 9 total notes.
Always check with the maker because naming conventions can vary.
Usually:
9 surrounding notes + 1 Ding = 10 total notes.
No.
More notes provide more musical possibilities, but they also increase complexity, cost and often weight.
Quality is more important than quantity.
Modern handpans range from relatively simple 7–10-note layouts to large extended instruments containing 20 or more tone fields. Extremely specialised builds have exceeded 30.
Bottom notes are tone fields placed on the underside of the handpan to extend the instrument's musical range.
They can be used by beginners, but they are not necessary.
A straightforward top-shell layout is usually easier to learn.
Additional tone fields require more shaping, tuning and balancing, and fitting many notes onto one instrument increases acoustic complexity.
Not necessarily.
Prioritise:
scale + tuning quality + maker + sound
before note count.
When choosing your first handpan, it is easy to become obsessed with numbers.
9 notes.
12 notes.
17 notes.
20 notes.
But the number printed in a product listing does not tell you whether an instrument will inspire you.
A beautifully tuned 9-note handpan in a scale you love can be far more rewarding than a huge instrument full of notes you never use.
Start by asking:
Do I love the sound?
Then:
Is it well made?
Then:
Does the scale suit me?
Only after that should you ask:
How many notes does it have?
More notes create more possibilities.
But fewer notes can create focus.
And when you're beginning your handpan journey, focus can be incredibly valuable.
Discover makers and compare different handpan layouts.
Meet players and experience different instruments.
Explore handpans available through the community.
Find players, makers, teachers and events around the world.
How to Choose Your First Handpan
Best Handpan Scales for Beginners
D Kurd Handpan Scale Explained
How Much Does a Handpan Cost? Handpan Prices Explained
Stainless Steel vs Nitrided Handpan: Which Is Better?
Handpan Makers: How to Find and Choose the Right Maker
Getting Started with Handpan: A Beginner’s Guide
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