How to Read Handpan Tabs and Tablature: A Complete Guide

You’ve found a beautiful handpan pattern online. Maybe it’s in a YouTube comment, a forum post, or a PDF from a teacher. But instead of clear instructions, you’re staring at something like “1 - 3 - 5 - 8 - 5 - 3” and wondering what it means.

Welcome to the world of handpan tabs and tablature - a simple notation system that makes patterns accessible to everyone, regardless of musical background. (And if you play tongue drum, the same system applies - everything in this guide works for both instruments.)

By the end of this guide, you’ll read handpan tabs fluently, understand the different notation styles you might encounter, and know exactly where to find tabs for your next practice session.

What Are Handpan Tabs?

Traditional sheet music requires years of training to read. Staffs, clefs, time signatures, note values - it’s a complete language that takes time to master. And frankly, it doesn’t map well to the handpan’s circular layout.

Tabs solve this problem by replacing abstract notation with simple numbers or visual diagrams that directly correspond to positions on your instrument.

The Problem Tabs Solve

When someone plays a handpan pattern, they’re striking specific tone fields in a specific order. Sheet music would tell you the pitches (D, A, Bb, etc.), but you’d need to translate those pitches to physical locations on your particular handpan.

Tabs skip the translation. They tell you exactly where to strike: “Hit position 1, then position 3, then position 5.” No music theory required.

Tabs vs. Sheet Music vs. Video

Each learning method has its place:

Sheet music works if you read music and want to understand the theory behind a pattern. It’s precise about rhythm and pitch, but requires training and mental translation.

Video tutorials show you exactly what to do, but you can’t glance at a video mid-performance. They’re great for initial learning, less useful for quick reference.

Tabs offer the best of both worlds for most players - quick to read, easy to reference, and accessible without prior training. When dashes are used for rests, tabs can convey rhythm too.

The Numbered Notation System

The most common handpan tablature uses numbers to identify each note position. Once you understand the system, you can read any tab regardless of who wrote it.

Understanding the Layout

Picture your handpan from above. In the center sits the ding - the lowest note and the foundation of most patterns. Around the ding, tone fields are arranged in a circle.

The standard numbering convention:

• 1 = The ding (center note)
• 2 = First tone field (typically bottom-left, the lowest pitched)
• 3-9 = Remaining tone fields, numbered clockwise

On a 9-note handpan, you’ll have the ding plus 8 tone fields, giving you numbers 1 through 9. Larger handpans extend to 10, 11, or beyond.

Reading Your First Pattern

Let’s decode a simple pattern:

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2

Reading left to right:

1. Strike the ding
2. Strike tone field 2 (lowest note)
3. Strike tone field 3
4. Strike tone field 4
5. Strike tone field 5
6. Back down to tone field 4
7. Continue to tone field 3
8. Finish on tone field 2

This creates a wave - ascending up the scale, then descending back down. Simple, musical, and immediately playable.

Common Variations You’ll Encounter

Not everyone uses the same numbering convention. You might see:

• “D” or “Ding” instead of 1 for the center note
• Numbering starting from bottom-right instead of bottom-left
• Letters matching scale notes (like D-A-Bb-C-D-E-F-G-A for D Kurd)

When you encounter unfamiliar tabs, look for a legend or explanation. Most authors clarify their system. When in doubt, assume the standard: 1 = ding, 2+ = clockwise from the lowest tone field.

Practice Numbered Patterns

DrumFlow shows patterns using the same 1-9 numbering system. Generate new ideas and practice anywhere on iPhone and iPad.

Types of Handpan Tablature

Beyond simple number sequences, you’ll encounter several tablature formats. Each has strengths for different situations.

Simple Number Sequences

The most common format - numbers separated by spaces, with dashes representing rests:

1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2

This plays eight notes in sequence, one per beat.

But what if you want silence on certain beats? Use dashes:

1 2 3 4 1 - 2 -

This is one bar of eighth notes. In the first half, you play pads 1, 2, 3, 4. In the second half, you only play on beats 3 and 4 (pad 1, then pad 2), with the eighth notes in between left silent.

Beyond numbers: Some notation includes percussive sounds like the “Tak” - a sharp, rhythmic strike on the edge or shoulder of the handpan that adds texture without a melodic tone. DrumFlow uses T for Tak in its patterns:

1 2 T 4 1 - T -

Here you play pad 1, pad 2, a Tak, pad 4, then pad 1, rest, Tak, rest. The Tak adds rhythmic punch without changing the melody.

Pros: Easy to write, easy to share, and can communicate both rhythm and percussive accents.

Cons: Requires understanding the beat subdivision (eighth notes, sixteenth notes, etc.) to interpret correctly.

Grid-Based Tabs

Some tablature uses a visual grid where each column represents a beat:

Beat:  1   2   3   4   1   2   3   4
Note:  1   3   5   3   1   2   4   2

This format adds rhythmic structure - you can see which notes fall on which beats. More complex grids might use multiple rows to show notes played simultaneously.

Pros: Includes timing information, shows structure clearly.

Cons: Harder to share as plain text, requires more effort to create.

App-Generated Patterns

Modern apps take tablature a step further by generating patterns for you:

• Instant creation - get new patterns without searching
• Scale-matched - patterns automatically fit your handpan’s tuning
• Built-in rhythm - see exactly when to play each note
• Practice tools - loop, adjust tempo, save favorites

DrumFlow on iPhone and iPad uses this approach - instead of hunting for tabs online, you generate unlimited patterns that match your specific drum. The numbered notation displays with rhythm built in, so you see both what to play and when.

Video-Synced Learning

Some courses combine tabs with audio-visual elements - you see the numbers highlight as the pattern plays. This adds another dimension by letting you hear the rhythm while following along visually.

How to Practice with Tabs

Having tabs in front of you is just the start. Here’s a systematic approach to actually learning patterns from tablature.

Step 1: Identify Your Scale

Before practicing any tab, confirm it matches your handpan’s scale.

A tab labeled “D Kurd” was written for that scale. If you own a D Kurd handpan, the numbers map directly to your instrument. If you have a different scale, the pattern might not sound right - or might not be playable at all.

When tabs don’t specify a scale, they’re either meant to be universal (using only intervals that work across scales) or the author assumed a common scale. Experiment, but don’t force a pattern that sounds wrong on your instrument.

Step 2: Learn the Notes Before Adding Rhythm

Read through the tab slowly, striking each position without worrying about timing. Your goal is muscle memory - knowing where each number lives on your instrument.

For a pattern like 1 - 3 - 5 - 8 - 5 - 3 - 1, practice until you can play it without looking at the tab. Speed and groove come later.

Step 3: Add Timing with a Metronome

Once you know the notes, set a metronome to a slow tempo (60-70 BPM). Try to play one note per beat.

If the tab has rhythmic notation, follow it. If not, listen to a recording of the pattern being played and match the timing you hear.

Start slower than you think necessary. A pattern played cleanly at 60 BPM is more musical than the same pattern stumbled through at 120.

Step 4: Loop Until Automatic

Repetition is where tabs become music. Play the pattern over and over until:

• You don’t need to look at the tab
• You don’t need to think about where to strike
• The pattern feels natural, almost automatic

This is the graduation point. Once a pattern lives in your hands, you can start varying it - changing accents, adding notes, making it your own.

Skip the Tab Hunt

DrumFlow generates fresh, musical patterns instantly. No searching, no wrong scales - just tap and practice.

Where to Find Handpan Tabs

Whether you want free resources or premium content, tabs are available across the web.

Free Resources

YouTube is surprisingly rich. Many players include tabs in video descriptions or pinned comments. Search “[your scale] handpan pattern” and check descriptions for number sequences.

Reddit’s r/handpan community shares patterns regularly. Search the subreddit for “pattern” or “tab” to find discussions with notation.

Facebook handpan groups often feature pattern-sharing threads. These can be goldmines for scale-specific content from experienced players.

Teacher websites frequently offer free sample tabs as a preview of their paid courses. A quick search for “free handpan tabs” turns up several.

Paid Tablature Sources

Online courses from teachers like those at Master The Handpan or Handpan Dojo include tablature as part of structured lessons. You’re paying for curriculum and instruction, with tabs as supporting material.

Individual teachers often sell pattern packs - collections of tabs for specific scales or styles. These can be excellent if you find a teacher whose musical taste matches yours.

Desktop software like Notepan exists for creating and reading tabs on your computer, though mobile apps offer more flexibility for practicing alongside your instrument.

Creating Your Own Tabs

The best way to internalize a pattern is to transcribe it yourself.

Watch a video of a player you admire. Pause frequently. Note which tone fields they strike. Write down the numbers. This slow, deliberate process builds deep understanding.

You can also tab out your own improvisations. When you stumble onto something that sounds good, stop and write it down. This builds a personal library of patterns that are uniquely yours - and reinforces your understanding of how the instrument works.

Common Mistakes When Reading Tabs

After teaching handpan to many beginners, I see the same errors repeatedly. Avoid these pitfalls.

Ignoring the Ding

Beginners often skip over 1s in a pattern, treating the ding as optional. But the ding anchors most patterns - it provides bass foundation, rhythmic grounding, and tonal contrast.

If a tab includes the ding, it’s there for a reason. Don’t leave it out.

Rushing the Rhythm

Even when tabs show rhythm with dashes, they don’t specify tempo - so there’s a temptation to play fast. Resist it.

Most handpan music is meditative, flowing, spacious. A pattern played too quickly loses its musical character. When in doubt, play slower than feels natural at first.

Assuming the Wrong Scale

A beautiful tab written for D Celtic won’t sound right on your D Kurd. The numbers map to different pitches, and the musical intervals change completely.

Always verify scale compatibility before investing time in a pattern. If the tab doesn’t specify, ask the author or community for clarification.

Over-Relying on Tabs

Tabs are training wheels. Useful for learning, but not meant to be permanent.

The goal isn’t to collect tabs - it’s to internalize patterns deeply enough that you can play freely, improvise confidently, and develop your own voice. Use tabs to learn, then set them aside.

Beyond Tabs: Building Real Musicianship

Reading tabs gets you playing patterns. But real musicianship goes deeper.

From Reading to Playing

Use tabs to learn the “what” - which notes, which sequence, which structure. Then develop your ear for the “how” - dynamics, touch, groove, expression.

Two players can perform identical tabs and sound completely different. The notes are just the skeleton; you add the flesh.

Pattern Generators Complement Tab Learning

Traditional tabs give you existing patterns - what others have created. Pattern generators like DrumFlow’s algorithm produce unlimited new ideas tuned to your specific scale.

This isn’t an either/or choice. Learn foundational patterns from tabs to understand what makes handpan music work. Then use generation to explore beyond what’s been written, discover new sequences, and build a vocabulary that’s uniquely yours.

The combination accelerates learning dramatically. Tabs teach proven patterns; generators expand your creative range.

Build Your Pattern Library

Save patterns that resonate, loop them for practice, and watch your collection grow. Free for iPhone and iPad.

Start Simple, Grow from There

Reading handpan tabs isn’t complicated. Numbers point to positions. Positions produce notes. Notes string together into patterns.

Now you understand:

• How the numbered notation system maps to your instrument
• What different tablature formats offer
• Where to find tabs for your scale
• How to practice effectively with tablature
• When to move beyond tabs into free playing

The next step is simple: find one tab that matches your scale, and start practicing. Don’t wait until you’ve collected dozens. Pick one pattern, learn it thoroughly, and build from there.

For more foundational patterns to practice, check out our guide to handpan patterns for beginners. And if you’re curious about the apps that can help you learn, see our comparison of the best handpan simulator apps available today.

Your handpan is waiting. Go make music.