Handpan Fundamentals II – 4 Week Course : Groove, Melody, Composition & Musical Confidence

Handpan Fundamentals Level II – 4 Week Course

A 4 week course in groove, melody and musical expression.

This course builds on the foundations established in Level 1, helping you move beyond simple patterns into more expressive, confident and musical playing.

Across four Wednesday evenings, you’ll deepen your sense of rhythm, develop melodic ideas, explore improvisation, and begin shaping your own musical voice on the handpan.

This is Level 2 of a progressive learning pathway at The London Handpan School.

WHO THIS IS FOR

• Students who have completed Handpan Fundamentals Level 1

• Players who already feel comfortable with basic handpan technique

• Students who can hold a simple rhythm and want to go deeper

• Anyone ready to develop more groove, melody, confidence and flow

COURSE STRUCTURE

Week 5 – Expanding Groove & Rhythmic Vocabulary

Revisiting pulse, timing and clean technique

Developing stronger left and right hand coordination

Building groove variations from a simple pattern

Working with accents, syncopation and dynamic control

Creating movement without losing the rhythm


Week 6 – Melody, Movement & Musical Phrasing

Turning simple note patterns into melodic phrases

Exploring call and response

Using repetition and variation

Creating tension, release and emotional colour

Moving between rhythm and melody with more confidence


Week 7 – Structure, Composition & Improvisation

Building a piece with clear sections

Creating intros, endings and transitions

Developing motifs and musical ideas

Improvising within a simple structure

Playing with others while staying grounded in time


Week 8 – Integration, Flow & Personal Style

Bringing rhythm, groove, melody and structure together

Exploring 3/3/2 patterns and layered grooves

Developing your own short composition

Group play and listening exercises

Building confidence in your own sound and next steps for practice


INSTRUMENTS

For Level 2, students are expected to have access to their own D Kurd handpan for practice between sessions.

Students who own a D Kurd handpan are encouraged to bring it to class.

A limited number of D Kurd handpans may be available to use during class, but this cannot be guaranteed unless arranged in advance.

D Kurd handpans are also available for purchase and rental through The London Handpan School, subject to availability. An array of other scales are also available. 

If you’d like to buy or rent an instrument before the course begins, please message in advance so I can advise on the best option.

BONUS GROUP JAM

Students will also be invited to an optional group handpan jam on Saturday 1 August.

This will be a relaxed chance to play together outside of the classroom, practise what you’ve learned, build confidence, and experience the handpan in a more informal musical setting.

Location and exact time will be confirmed closer to the date.

The bonus jam is optional and weather-dependent.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 8 hours of tuition (2 hours × 4 weeks)

• Small group setting (max 10 students)

• Guided practice exercises

• Downloadable practice guide

• Support with groove, melody, improvisation and composition

Instruments are available for purchase at a student rate:

D Kurd 10 – £1350

Includes soft case and 2-year retuning warranty.

Payment plans available (Klarna or split payments up to 36 months).

If you’d like to reserve an instrument for the course, please message in advance.

PRICING

Founding Rate – £250

(Available for the first 4 students only)

Early Bird – £275

(Available until 15 June - limited spaces)

Standard – £300

Booking & Missed Session Policy

Places are non-refundable once booked, as spaces are limited and your place is reserved for the full course.

If you can no longer attend and give at least 14 days’ notice before the course begins, I may be able to transfer your place to a future cohort, subject to availability.

Once the course has begun, bookings are non-transferable.

If you miss a session, you’re welcome to make up one missed class free of charge in a future cohort, subject to availability. Additional missed sessions can be made up for £50 per session if you bring your own D Kurd handpan, or £75 per session if an instrument is required.

This helps keep the course sustainable while allowing me to support students as fairly as possible.

NEXT STEPS

After Level 2, students can continue with private lessons, practice labs, future Level 3 sessions, composition support, or guided work on building their own pieces.