Discover the Secret to Crafting Your Own Handpan

  • Learn from an Expert

    Taught by David Beery, who has been building handpans since 2010, this course will guide you through the entire process

  • Unlock Your Creativity

    Get the basic skills and knowledge needed so you can experiment on your own to create your one-of-a-kind handpan drum

  • Save Time and Money

    Tried to figure out the handpan-making process on your own? Get expertise to build a handpan quickly and efficiently

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to How to Build a Handpan!

    • A message from David Beery
  • 2

    Let's Get Started

    • Sinking Shells
  • 3

    Notes & Dimples

    • Shaping Notes

    • Pressing Dimples
  • 4

    Prepping for Burning

    • Prepping for Burning
  • 5

    Bottom Notes

    • Bottom Note Tuning

    • Review
  • 6

    Tuning Your Handpan

    • Intro to Handpan Tuning: Part One

    • Intro to Handpan Tuning: Part Two
  • 7

    Shaping Notes

    • The ABCs of Shaping Notes
  • 8

    Tuning By Ear

    • Rough Tuning Notes
  • 9

    What We've Learned So Far!

    • Review
  • 10

    Tuning Multiple Different Notes

    • Tuning Low A3

    • Tuning C4

    • Tuning High A4

    • Tuning Review

    • Tuning D4

    • Tuning Progress

    • Final Tuning
  • 11

    Final Stages

    • Powder Coating & Gluing

    • Review

    • Tuning Bottom Notes
  • 12

    Additional Learning: Stainless Steel Handpan

    • Aurous: Shaping Notes

    • Aurous: Pressing Dimples

Your Instructor

David Beery

Meet David Beery - a true music enthusiast with over twenty-five years of professional musical experience. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in percussion from California State University, Long Beach, David's passion for music led him to perform for over a decade with Dr. Michael Carney's professional steel drum band, Pandemonium. Under Dr. Carney's direction, David learned the art of making and tuning steel drums, and later he applied this knowledge to making handpans. David's teaching style is all about promoting music in a fun and inviting way, unlocking each student's unique musical perspective. With his experience as a steel drum and handpan manufacturer, music educator, performer, recording musician, and composer/arranger, David has continued to teach students the joy of learning how to play a variety of musical instruments as well as how to make handpans and steel drums. His diverse background allows him to offer high-quality, motivational, and engaging teaching that inspires his students to create their own unique music.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the "How to Build a Handpan" course?

    This online course is a video series where master craftsman Dave Beery teaches his protégé, Derek, how to build a handpan from scratch. You’ll see the entire process unfold in real time, with Dave providing detailed instructions, tips, and feedback as Derek learns, makes mistakes, and refines his skills.

  • What topics are covered in the course?

    Hammering & Shaping: Methods for forming tone fields and using a press. Heat Treating & Metallurgy: Practical insights into steel properties and treatment techniques (not highly scientific, just what you need to know). Tuning & Harmonics: Step-by-step guidance on tuning fundamentals, octaves, and fifth harmonics to achieve a well-balanced, overtone-rich sound.

  • Does the course include tuning instruction?

    Yes! The tuning process is included as part of the handpan-building journey. Dave shows Derek how to achieve accurate tuning, including blending harmonics within accuracy. You don’t need to purchase our separate How to Tune a Handpan course.

  • Will I get personal help if I have questions?

    While Dave doesn’t offer one-on-one sessions, you can email video samples of your work or specific questions. Dave will provide feedback, possible solutions, or direct you to relevant parts of the course that address your concerns.

  • Are tools and materials included?

    No. You will need to purchase your own tools, such as tuning rings and hammers. However, raw plain steel 20” diameter handpan shells designed for use with this video series are available for purchase on the Dii website.

  • Does the course explain the differences between hydroforming and deep drawing methods?

    The course focuses primarily on hammering and shaping techniques. It does not provide detailed comparisons between hydroforming and deep drawing.

  • Does the course cover the heat-treating process?

    Yes, but only practical knowledge. The course provides insights into heat treatment and steel properties relevant to handpan making, without diving deep into scientific theory.

  • Will the course teach me about compressors and CFM ratings for sand rammers?

    No. The course does not cover compressors, CFM ratings, or similar technical specifications. The focus remains on essential shaping and tuning techniques.

  • What if I only want to learn how to tune a handpan?

    If you’re solely interested in tuning and not in the full building process, we recommend our separate course, "How to Tune a Handpan." This course focuses exclusively on tuning techniques, including: Achieving fundamental, octave, and fifth harmonics Tuning for overtone balance and accuracy Troubleshooting common tuning challenges It’s perfect for those who already have handpans or shells and want to master the art of tuning.

Ready to learn?

Enroll in our How to Make a Handpan course today and start your journey towards becoming a skilled and confident handpan maker.

Let's Do It