Selection guide

Why choose a stainless steel handpan?

A good handpan depends not only on the material, but also on the craftsmanship with which it is made. At Nishma, we combine high-quality stainless steel with a precise artisanal process, ensuring exceptional sound and a unique experience for every player.

What makes a Nishma handpan special:

✨ Long sustain sound → Sustain is the duration of a note's play after it's been played, without the need to repeat the stroke. Thanks to our tuning technique, we achieve a long sustain that allows each note to float in the air, creating an immersive atmosphere.

✨ Soft touch and sensitive response → Our polishing and tuning process allows each handpan to have a delicate touch and a precise response to the slightest touch, generating an intimate connection with the instrument.

✨ Tuning Stability → We not only use durable material, but we also apply advanced manufacturing and tuning techniques to ensure that each note remains stable over time, ensuring a pure and harmonious sound in every session.

✨ Bright and harmonious sound → Beyond the material, the precision with which we design each handpan is key to achieving a perfect balance between clarity, resonance, and depth, giving you an ideal instrument for meditation, improvisation, and musical exploration.

A Nishma handpan is more than just an instrument; it's the result of a meticulous artisanal process that seeks to provide you with the best sonic and emotional experience.

At Nishma, we make 9- and 10-note handpans, two configurations that offer a balance of expression, versatility, and simplicity.

✅ 9 (8 side notes + Ding):

A classic and highly intuitive structure. Ideal for both beginners and experienced musicians looking for a clean, direct sound.

✅ 10 (9 side notes + Ding):

Adds an extra note to the top dome, expanding the instrument's melodic range without altering its ergonomics.

An excellent option if you're looking for greater sound variety within the same compact format.

The Ding , located in the center, is the lowest note of the handpan.

Its deep, resonant sound acts as a harmonic and rhythmic anchor, guiding both the melody and the pulse of the performance.

A scale is a set of notes arranged in a way that creates a unique sound. Each scale has its own energy, evoking different emotions and soundscapes. Some convey calm and melancholy, while others can be more energetic or mysterious.

In Nishma, the scales are tuned so that all the notes harmonize with each other, making it easy to create music without any prior knowledge. This means that no matter what combination of notes you play, you'll always get a pleasant and balanced sound.

These are our scales available in 9 notes (8+1), but if you are looking for another one, we can make it on request!

🎶 Kurd → The most versatile, balanced, and best-selling scale in the world. Its warm, fluid sound is ideal for both introspective melodies and dynamic rhythms.

Notes: D/A,Bb,C,D,E,F,G,A

🌿 Amara → Inspired by Celtic music, its sound transports you to natural landscapes and moments of introspection. Perfect for free improvisation.

Notes: D/A,C,D,E,F,G,A,C

🌀 Hijaz → An exotic sound rooted in Middle Eastern music. Mysterious, intense, and with a unique identity.

Notes: D/A,C,D,Eb,F#G,A,C

✨ You can listen to all the scales in our demo videos section.

• 440 Hz → The world's standard tuning. It's the most widely used in modern music and ensures compatibility with most traditional instruments and other handpans. If you plan to play alongside other musicians or record your music, this is the best option.

• 432 Hz → An alternative with a slightly warmer and more relaxing tone. Many choose it for its harmonic feel and its supposed resonance with natural frequencies.
However, it is less common and is not compatible with other instruments tuned to 440 Hz.

If you're not sure which one to choose, 440 Hz is the most versatile and recommended option.

Note: All of our instruments for immediate delivery are tuned to 440Hz.