Choose your handpan scale
Thirteen real handpan scales, side by side. Tap each pan to hear it, before you spend thousands on one.
Every scale's notes
| Scale | Ding | Notes | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| F Low Pygmy | F3 | G3 A♭3 C4 E♭4 F4 G4 A♭4 C5 | Hypnotic, earthy minor. Tonefield's default pan. |
| D Kurd | D3 | A3 B♭3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 | Warm natural minor. The most popular first handpan. |
| D Celtic Minor | D3 | A3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 C5 | Open, folky minor with no sixth. |
| E Amara | E3 | B3 D4 E4 F♯4 G4 A4 B4 D5 | Soulful Celtic-style minor in E. |
| G Hijaz | G3 | D4 E♭4 F♯4 G4 A4 B♭4 C5 D5 | Dramatic, Middle Eastern colour. |
| D Sabye | D3 | G3 A3 B3 C♯4 D4 E4 F♯4 A4 | Bright, sunny major. |
| D Aegean | D3 | F♯3 A3 C♯4 D4 E4 F♯4 A4 C♯5 | Airy, open major with a seventh. |
| C Golden Gate | C3 | E3 G3 B3 C4 D4 E4 G4 B4 | Major seventh glow, a little jazzy. |
| B Ashake | B2 | F♯3 G3 B3 C♯4 D4 E4 F♯4 G4 | Deep, cinematic minor. |
| C♯ Pygmy | C♯3 | F♯3 G♯3 A3 C♯4 E4 F♯4 G♯4 A4 | Dark, hypnotic minor with a sixth. |
| F Astronaut | F2 | C3 F3 G3 A♭3 C4 E♭4 F4 G4 | Spacious minor with a very low ding. |
| F Low Equinox | F2 | G♯2 C3 C♯3 E♭3 F3 G3 G♯3 C4 | Big, low, bass-heavy minor. |
| F♯ Nordlys | F♯2 | C♯3 F3 F♯3 G♯3 A♯3 C4 C♯4 F4 | Dreamy, floating Lydian. |
Nine-note versions, as played in Tonefield. Makers often add notes above or below, and the same name can vary a little between makers.
Which handpan scale is best for a beginner?
D Kurd, D Celtic Minor and F Low Pygmy are the most common first scales: they're forgiving, familiar and play well with other instruments. The best one is the one you love the sound of, so play a few side by side first.
Can I try handpan scales before buying?
Yes. Tonefield lets you play 13 real handpan scales free in your browser, in 3D, on a phone or computer, and loop and record yourself on each one.
What's the difference between minor and major handpans?
Most handpans are minor (Kurd, Celtic, Pygmy), which sound warm or reflective. Major scales (Sabye, Aegean, Golden Gate) sound bright and uplifting. Exotic scales such as Hijaz add a Middle Eastern colour.