Master Series Handpan – C Ursa Minor

Ursa Minor, meaning Little Bear, is another winner in the handpan world. Similar to the Gudu and Integral tunings, Ursa minor is a variation of the natural minor scale.
This time, there is no 7th note (usually B or Bb). This omission causes the scale to hover between the natural and harmonic minor, letting the listener interpret for themselves how the mood is established through the music.
The notes are clustered in the upper register of the scale, creating upward movement as we are carried to the stars by the flowing melody.

The handpan is a new instrument, distantly related to the steelpan of Trinidad and Tobago, but inspired in sound by the Hang of Switzerland. Played by hand, rather than sticks or mallets, the handpan has a rich, intimate sound, full of emotion. There is no specific technique or style in the art of playing a handpan. A player with patience and an open mind and will be rewarded with deep layers of complexity to explore.

Maintenance & Care

We recommend ongoing care and maintenance on handpans. Here are a few tips to protect the handpan from rusting and other damage:

♪ Sweat may deposit salts to the surface, which contribute to rust formation. Before playing, wash and dry your hands.
♪ Don’t play the handpan if it’s hot (for example, if it’s been in the sun).
♪ Handpans should only be played gently and with one finger at a time: No hands, fists, or mallets.
♪ After each play, wipe down the instrument with a soft, clean, dry cloth (preferably microfibre).
♪ Clean your handpan every 6 – 12 months to remove dirt & oils: Use isopropyl alcohol, or a more gentle rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or ethanol based of 50-75%, diluted with water). Use a soft cloth on both sides, the rim, and the inside.
If your handpan has oil on it, you’ll need to re-apply it since the cleaning will remove the oil.

♪ Store your handpan in a cool place, and out of direct sunlight, ideally outside the case in a safe place. If stored inside the case, leave the zip 1/4 open to release the moisture from the case. Check that the foam in the case doesn’t get damp.
♪ Apply Phoenix oil every 2 weeks – 2 months. Make sure to only use appropriate oil/wax for this process. You can get Phoenix oil here.

While the handpan colour may vary slightly due to natural variations in materials, each piece is carefully selected to ensure consistent quality and appearance. The differences are subtle and will not affect the instrument’s overall look or performance.

Need more advice on handling rust or have another question? Contact us—we’re here to help!
Email us: [email protected]