Notation
Numbers, letters and symbols are used to indicate which tonefields or parts of the handpan the player should strike, and how he should strike it.
Tonefields
The tonefields are represented by numbers. For example, this is what a basic right-left pattern looks like:
With more complex handpans, the numbering of the tonefields can become a bit tricky.
- Some people like to use B1, B2, B3, etc for the bottom notes
- Others prefer to number the tonefields from the lowest to highest pitch. In this case, you may end up with a top layout that doesn't follow a classic 1 to 8 notation.
To avoid any confusion, the solution is to attach an image of the handpan and its numbering, to use as a reference when reading the tablature.
Specific case of the ding
Theoretically, the ding is a tonefield and could be represented by a number as well. However, because it plays such a major role on the instrument, we feel like it needs to be distinguished from the other notes. That's why it is considered a percussive sound in our notation system.
Percussive sounds
"D" - Ding
The ding is the central note of a Handpan. Although the name ding is used to designate the note in its whole, we make a distinction between the dome and the flat area that surrounds it. In our case, the letter D is used to represent the dome. If a handpan has more than one central note, a number is appended at the end: D1, D2, D3... with 1 being the lowest pitch.
"d" - Ding tonefield
The flat area that surrounds the dome of the ding. In case of a multi ding handpan, the previous rule applies: d1, d2, d3...
"P" - Palm mute
A stroke on the dome of the ding with the base of your palm. It produces a very low and muted pitch.
"T" - Tak
A sharp stroke on the shoulder of the ding. The shoulder is the edge between the tonefield and the rest of the instrument.
"S" - Slap
A stroke between two tonefields, in the interstitial space of your instrument. This is performed with one or more flat fingers, like a slap, and gives a sound similar to a snare in drumming.
"K" - Knock
Same as a slap, but performed with the knuckle(s).
"F" - Fist
A stroke with the base of the fist, performed in the interstitial space of the handpan.
"•" - Ghost note
A very soft touch on the surface of the handpan, sometimes barely touching it. The volume of a ghost note can range from "non audible" to a "very soft slap". In any cases, they are considered non essential to the melody and are mostly used as a way to keep track of the rhythm/tempo. Some people prefer to not play any ghost note, it's really a matter of preference.
The following video should give you a better idea of what each percussive sound is:
Some of you might have learned the opposite for tak and slap (i.e slap is a stroke on the ding shoulder and tak is a stroke in the interstitial space).
I personnally learned that way and I am used to it. For that reason, Notepan gives you the possibility to use the system of your choice. With a simple setting switch, the tablatures will always be displayed according to your preference, even if it has been written using the other notation.
That being said, if you are new to handpan notation you should use the first convention as it is a more established standard.
Effects
Effects are an indication of the striking technique to use when playing a note. They are represented by a letter or symbol next to the note that they modify. The absence of effect indicates that the note should be played normally, with no particular technique.
"M" - Muted
A stroke with your finger resting on the surface of the note at the end, effectively muting the sound.
"F" - Fifth harmonic
A technique where you isolate the fifth harmonic of a note. This is achieved by muting the major axis of the tonefield and striking the minor axis.
"O" - Octave harmonic
A technique where you isolate the octave harmonic of a note. This is achieved by muting the minor axis of the tonefield and striking the major axis.
"K" - Knocked note
The tonefield should be struck with your knuckle. This is different from the Knock percussive sound, which is performed on the non-tonefield space of the handpan. The percussive sound is notated "K" and the effect "3K".
"__" - Finger roll
A technique where you hit the note multiple times with the same hand. It is performed using different fingers, for example ring-middle-index for a 3 fingers roll, or ring-index for a 2 fingers roll.
" * " - Grace note / Flam
See more infos below.
Here are some examples in Notepan:
What is a grace note?
A grace note is a very short note, played just before a principal note in order to introduce it. In the image above, notes 6 and 8 should be played together, right? Instead of that, note 6 - which is a grace note - is going to be played slightly before. The offset is subtle but creates the feeling of a transition between notes 6 and 8 and adds some relief to the melody. You can see this technique being used a few times in this video, between 2m10s and 2m15s. This feeling of fast stroke rolls is the result of grace notes.
Flam
When the grace note and the principal note are the same, we call this effect a Flam. This is actually a drumming technique, which consists in striking the same note with both our hands, one hand striking slightly before the other (example in this video). On a handpan, the Flam can also be executed with a single hand - using the thumb + any other finger - although it's quite an advanced technique.
In the following image, the first Flam is performed with 2 different hands while the second is performed with one hand.
Keep in mind that the note marked with a * must be played slightly before the other one.