Discover the Secret to Tuning a Handpan

  • Learn from an Expert

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

  • Step-by-Step Guidance

    Get the basic skills and knowledge needed so you can learn on your own to tune your handpan drum

  • Save Time and Money

    Tried to figure out the handpan-tuning process on your own? Get expertise to tune a handpan correctly

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to How to Tune a Handpan!

    • A message from David Beery
  • 2

    Introduction to Handpan Tuning

    • Intro to Handpan Tuning: Part One

    • Intro to Handpan Tuning: Part Two
  • 3

    Tuning Multiple Different Notes

    • Tuning Low A3

    • Tuning C4

    • Tuning High A4

    • Tuning Review

    • Tuning D4

    • Tuning Progress

    • Final Tuning
  • 4

    Bottom Notes

    • Bottom Note Tuning

    • Review
  • 5

    Tuning By Ear

    • Rough Tuning Notes
  • 6

    What We've Learned

    • Review
  • 7

    Additional Learning: Mini Handpan Tuning

    • Mini Handpan Tuning: Part One

    • Mini Handpan Tuning: Part Two

    • Mini Handpan Tuning: Part Three

    • Mini Handpan Tuning: Part Four

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.

Ready to learn?

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

Let's Do It

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How is the course structured?

    The course is entirely made up of video tutorials where David walks Derek, his protégé, through the complete tuning process. These videos give you a front-row seat to detailed demonstrations, tips, and troubleshooting methods. You’ll see both the teaching and learning sides of handpan tuning, which means you can follow along with Derek’s progress, learn from his challenges, and hear David’s expert advice at every step. The lessons are divided into easy-to-follow sections, including: Tuning Multiple Different Notes Tuning Low A3 Tuning C4 Tuning High A4 Tuning D4 Tuning Review and Progress Final Tuning Bottom Notes and Bottom Note Tuning Tuning by Ear (Rough Tuning Notes)

  • Who teaches the course?

    The course is taught by David Beery, a master handpan maker and tuner renowned for his expertise and craftsmanship. What makes this course unique is that it features video lessons of David teaching his protégé, Derek, how to tune a handpan. Watching Derek learn under David's guidance gives you a real-time look at the learning process, making the techniques more relatable and easier to understand.

  • What makes this course unique?

    Unlike other courses that simply explain tuning techniques, this course immerses you in the real-life teaching experience. You’ll watch David Beery demonstrate and explain each step as he teaches Derek how to tune a handpan from start to finish. This mentor-apprentice dynamic allows you to see common tuning challenges and how to overcome them, giving you insights that only come from hands-on experience.

  • Can I tune any handpan with the techniques in this course?

    It depends. While this course teaches the fundamentals of handpan tuning, the ability to tune any handpan depends on the type and quality of the handpan as well as the steel used in its construction. Every handpan is unique, with subtle nuances that vary by maker. The techniques taught here provide a solid foundation, but tuning different handpans may require additional knowledge and adjustments based on the instrument’s design and materials.

  • What if I have questions during the course?

    While David Beery does not provide one-on-one support, you can still get personalized feedback. You’ll have the opportunity to submit videos of your progress along with your questions, and David will review them and provide feedback. This allows you to receive expert guidance while practicing the techniques at your own pace.