Welcome to the fascinating world of Sela Handpans! This unique instrument has captured the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide in recent years. Besides its captivating sound, the handpan stands out for its intuitive, easy-to-learn playing style. Musical background knowledge is not necessary, as the special tuning of a handpan prevents any dissonant notes from being played. This makes it an incredibly versatile instrument for both beginners and advanced players.
At Sela, we develop and produce a wide variety of different handpans with dedication and passion. Our instruments have quickly gained worldwide recognition for their high quality and unique sound. Each Sela Handpan is carefully crafted and tested to provide an unparalleled playing experience for both beginners and experienced musicians. Below, we’ll introduce you to the differences between our handpan series and help you find the right model for you.
What Handpan Series are Available at Sela?
SELA MELODY HANDPANS
Our Melody Handpans stand out with their stylish dark blue finish, immediately catching the eye with their unique appearance. They are made from nitrided steel (DC04), which, with its relatively short sustain, is ideal for a percussive playing style. Sela Melody Handpans produce quickly fading tones that do not overlap too much, making these models perfect for beginners. Due to their more sensitive surface, they should be carefully cleaned and maintained after each use.
Special Features:
- Available in many tunings
- All models with 9 tones
SELA HARMONY HANDPANS
Our Harmony Series offers two subcategories with models made of nitrided steel and stainless steel. Harmony Handpans made of nitrided steel have a matte, gray-blue finish and a short sustain, similar to the Melody Series. The Harmony Handpans made of stainless steel, on the other hand, have a significantly longer sustain and are generally more tuning-stable than the Melody Series
Harmony Handpans made from stainless steel are ideal for beginners and among our most popular and best-selling handpans due to their excellent price-performance ratio. They feature a matte gold finish and are more stable in tuning compared to models made from nitrided steel, thanks to their higher-quality material. If you prefer a slow, engaging, and meditative playing style, these models are ideal due to their longer sustain.
Special Features:
- Available in many tunings
- All models with 9 tones
SELA HARMONY PHOENIX HANDPANS
The Phoenix Handpans are made from an alloy of nitrided steel and stainless steel, combining the best of both worlds in terms of sound. The higher price is due to the more complex processing of the material combination. Unlike the other Sela Handpan Series, the Phoenix Handpans come with 10 notes. They are also slightly higher in dimensions compared to our Melody and Harmony Handpans but have the same diameter.
Special Features:
- All models with 10 tones
- Available in many tunings
SELA UNITY HANDPANS
The material, processing and sound of our Sela Unity Handpans are identical to the Harmony stainless steel models - with one key difference in tuning: The standard pitch A is not set at the usual 440 Hertz, but at 432 Hertz. This tuning is often perceived as more harmonious and natural in meditation and relaxation music. Instruments tuned to 432 Hz are especially favored in spiritual and esoteric circles, as they are believed to have positive effects on physical and mental well-being. It is important to note that our Unity Handpans do not harmonize with regularly tuned instruments! These are primarily solo instruments, which can be combined with other 432 Hz instruments if desired.
Special Features:
- Available in many tunings
- All models with 9 tones
- Tuning: 432 Hz (Pitch A)
SELA MAJESTY HANDPANS
The Majesty Handpans from our handpan-topline are also made from stainless steel, but they undergo an elaborate polishing process. This results in a shiny, bronze-colored finish that gives them a noble and high-quality look. The steel is much thinner than in the Harmony handpans, which improves resonance and provides an even better sound with longer sustain. Thanks to a multi-stage tuning process, our Majesty Handpans offer the highest tuning stability among all our series. They are available with 9, 13, or 17 tones. While the models with an extended range are primarily aimed at experienced handpan players, they can certainly be played by beginners as well. The additional tone fields on the underside of the instrument can be easily skipped at the beginning.
Special Features:
- Available in many tunings
- Models with 9, 13, or 17 Tones
- including handcrafted, decorative handpan rope made of polyester
How Do I Choose the Right Handpan for Me? Here are some tips!
When choosing the right handpan for you, consider three points: the intended use, your skill level, and your sound preferences. Do you want the handpan for meditation, musical performances, or simply for relaxation after a stressful day? Are you buying your very first handpan, or are you an experienced player looking for a new musical challenge with more than nine notes? And then, there’s the sound: should it be more short and percussive, or rather floating, ethereal, and dreamy? By answering these questions, you’ll be one step closer to finding your ideal handpan. Ideally, you should try out different models at a Sela dealer near you. And if you still need assistance, our handpan specialists are happy to help you by phone or email.
The Magic of Sela Handpans – Your Perfect Instrument Awaits!
Sela Handpans offer an impressive variety of high-quality models that differ in material, sound character, and tuning. From the affordable Melody Series for beginners to the exquisite Majesty Series for the most ambitious players—each Sela Handpan is crafted with dedication and provides a unique playing experience.
Additional Information and further Links
Sela Custom Handpans: Upon request, we create your wished custom handpan. You can find all important informations related to this process here.
Sela Handpan care instructions: Here you’ll learn everything about properly caring for your Sela handpan.
Handpan Tunings and Notes: Learn all about the various handpan tunings in the video bellow:
