After each session
Wipe the entire instrument after playing with a soft, dry cloth that does not shed lint.
This prevents moisture, sweat, and fingerprints from lingering on the steel.
If your handpan has been exposed to rain, high humidity, or sea air, dry it thoroughly before putting it away.
Protecting the surface
Stainless steel does not need regular oiling. In most cases, wiping it with a dry cloth after each session is all the protection it needs.
If you live in a humid or coastal climate, or if marks start to appear on the surface, you can occasionally apply a thin layer of a protective product suitable for stainless steel, following the product's instructions.
Use very little: too much product can leave residue and change the instrument's response. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, and products containing chlorine, which can damage the finish.
Keeping it dry in storage
Whether you use a carrying bag or a stand matters less than keeping the instrument dry.
At home, you can leave it on its stand in a dry room at a moderate temperature. If you prefer to keep it in its carrying bag, make sure both the instrument and the inside of the bag are completely dry.
Above all, avoid leaving a damp handpan in a closed bag for long periods, as moisture can become trapped inside.
Avoiding impacts
A drop or a heavy impact can change the shape of a tone field and affect its tuning.
Use the carrying bag when traveling, and avoid resting the instrument on hard surfaces or letting it knock against them.
An edge protector also helps protect the rim from minor bumps and scratches. If it gets wet, remove it and let it dry before putting it back on.
Avoiding extreme temperatures
Do not leave your handpan for long periods in a car in direct sunlight, near a strong heat source, or in very hot and humid conditions.
A change in temperature can cause a slight, temporary shift in tuning. The instrument generally returns to normal once it reaches room temperature again. Prolonged or repeated exposure to extreme conditions is what you most need to avoid.
Playing with your hands
The handpan is designed to be played with your fingers and a light touch.
Avoid sticks, mallets, and unnecessarily forceful strikes. Over time, these can put stress on the tone fields and cause their tuning to shift.
Remember to remove rings, bracelets, and other metal objects that could scratch or mark the surface.
Your first playing sessions
At first, some notes may sound less clear than others without anything necessarily being wrong with the instrument.
Sound quality depends greatly on your touch: where your finger meets the tone field, the speed of the movement, and how your hand relaxes just after the strike. These movements naturally become more precise with practice.
If a note sounds different
All of a handpan's tone fields share the same shell, so it is normal for some vibrations to carry slightly from one note to another.
A neighboring note resonating is not, by itself, a sign of a defect. However, a noticeable change in pitch, a new buzzing sound, a significant loss of resonance, or two notes that suddenly sound out of tune together may need to be checked.