The youth director of our church introduced us to this amazing instrument, first produced in about 2007. The term is controversial, but supporters claim "handpan" is a suitable and well-understood new term for the abbreviation of a steelpan played by hand. It has become a conventionalized expression among those who are interested in these kinds of instruments and there is no better alternative in sight. It has a sound somewhat between a steel drum and a zither. The sound is very melodious, and because the handpan does not have notes based on the traditional scale, the songs are composed for the instrument rather than arranged from pieces written for other instruments. Whatever the history, the sound is perfect for reflection and meditation.
