Maintaining your handpan is essential to ensuring that it sounds and plays its best. Here is a guide on how to take care of your handpan and ensure that it stays in top condition:
- Cleaning: The first step in maintaining your handpan is to keep it clean. Use a dry, soft cloth to wipe down the surface of the instrument after each use. This will remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated on the surface. Avoid using water or any type of cleaning solution, as this can damage the metal and affect the sound of the instrument.
- Tuning: It’s important to keep your handpan in tune. Over time, the notes on your handpan may drift out of tune due to usage, changes in temperature or humidity. If you notice that your handpan is out of tune, you can ask your handpan maker to re-tune the notes.
- Protection: To protect your handpan from damage, it’s essential to store it in a safe and secure place. Avoid storing it in damp or humid environments, as this can cause rust or corrosion to form on the metal. It’s also important to avoid storing it in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, as this can cause the metal to expand or contract and affect the sound of the instrument.
- Handling: When handling your handpan, it’s important to be gentle and avoid dropping or hitting it. Dropping or hitting the handpan can cause dents or scratches to form on the surface, which can affect the sound of the instrument. It’s also important to avoid placing heavy objects on top of the handpan, as this can cause the metal to warp or bend.
- Regular Inspection: It’s important to regularly inspect your handpan for any signs of damage or wear. Look for any dents, scratches, or rust on the surface of the instrument. If you notice any issues, it’s important to address them as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
- Maintenance: It’s important to perform regular maintenance on your handpan to ensure that it stays in top condition. This includes regularly cleaning, tuning, and inspecting the instrument. Use a microfiber cloth and Isopropyl alcohol to clean off the oils and residue left on the surface of the instrument from your fingers. It’s then also important to protect the surface with a light oil to prevent rust for this you can use an oil such as Phoenix Handpan Oil, Meinl Wax or Froglube.
- Professional Maintenance: If you notice any major issues with your handpan, such as a severe dent or rust, it’s important to take it to a professional maker or tuner for repairs. A professional handpan maker or repair specialist will have the tools and knowledge to properly fix any issues with your instrument.
- Playing: When playing your handpan, it’s important to use the proper technique. This includes using the pads of your fingers rather than hard implements such as drum sticks to strike the notes, and avoiding hitting the notes too hard. It’s also important to avoid playing in extreme temperatures or humid conditions, as this can affect the sound of the instrument.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your handpan stays in top condition and sounds its best for years to come. Remember, proper care and maintenance will not only prolong the life of your instrument but also improve your playing experience and the quality of the sound.
In conclusion, maintaining your handpan is an important part of being a handpan player. By keeping it clean, in tune, protected, and well handled, you can ensure that your handpan stays in top condition and sounds beautiful.
