Some weeks ago, David Charrier published the “MASTER THE HANDPAN” online school. In my opinion a well thought out concept that will give useful help for Newbies, Beginners and advanced Pantam players as well !
PANIVERSE did a little interview with David, to get some more information about this online school. Here we go:
Read the PANIVERSE Interview about David’s Online Lessons :
Hi David,
Could you tell us more about your new handpan lessons?
I would love to. I have built a new online handpan school called masterthehandpan.com in which one can find different handpan lesson packs depending on your level of playing. (Beginner, intermediate and advanced). The lessons are designed as video tutorial that will allow you to work on different skills from home and at your own pace. Access to the platform is unlimited once you’ve enrolled.
How did you have the idea for this new method of learning ?
I’ve been teaching the handpan for a number of years now in France and abroad. I’ve had the privilege to travel and meet dozens and dozens of different players to share with them my passion for this instrument. I’ve noticed that many students were averse to music theory or music sheets. They want to learn in a less academic way, they want something more intuitive. Throughout the years and the help of these students I’ve created and refined a system of notes to teach the handpan in such a way to make it more accessible to a greater number of players. I wanted to make handpan learning fun, intuitive and visual. That is how the note system is born based on use of visual symbols.
« Tested and approved » by many students from several countries, cultures and different approaches to music. I’ve been really encouraged to see, since the launch of my handpan online school, the students feedback who love this method and are making great progress.
I don’t claim that this method will suit everybody but it is through this method that I’m the most capable of teaching someone who has never played music in his life, as well as someone who has already learned some music theory.
My goal really is to encourage and train as many players as possible. I love to see students realize that it is possible to learn the handpan on their own even if they have never played music before. I love to see them enjoy getting disciplined and above all I love to see them open their eyes in wonder at all the possibilities the handpan offers.
What are the benefits of these « online courses »?
What I find the most awesome with these online courses, it’s that you can work at your own pace. The unlimited access to the tutorials allows you to take time to watch the videos as many times as you want. You don’t have to wait to meet with your teacher to learn new things because there is an entire program already available. You can learn at your own pace, depending on YOUR desires and YOUR available time.
You are not dependent on a handpan teacher, his available time, or the fact that he would come to your city or country to teach a workshop. You know it is difficult to find a handpan teacher to take regular classes. Firstly, because there are few teachers, and they are often overbooked. Secondly, it can be very costly to take one on one or skype classes. Our calendars are full, we live in the fast lane, and online classes allow us to practice even if we only have 10 minutes or an hour spare time.
What are the benefits of these « online courses »?
What I find the most awesome with these online courses, it’s that you can work at your own pace. The unlimited access to the tutorials allows you to take time to watch the videos as many times as you want. You don’t have to wait to meet with your teacher to learn new things because there is an entire program already available. You can learn at your own pace, depending on YOUR desires and YOUR available time.
You are not dependent on a handpan teacher, his available time, or the fact that he would come to your city or country to teach a workshop. You know it is difficult to find a handpan teacher to take regular classes. Firstly, because there are few teachers, and they are often overbooked. Secondly, it can be very costly to take one on one or skype classes. Our calendars are full, we live in the fast lane, and online classes allow us to practice even if we only have 10 minutes or an hour spare time.
What do you teach in these courses?
Depending on your level, there are different things, but you will often find:
I try as much as I can to develop the rhythm and melodic capacity of my students. I make sure that all my exercises highlight how to “integrate this in composition”.
• Warm up exercises
• Coordination and hand independence exercises
• Exercises on Chord sequences
• Rhythms in different styles with multiple variations
• Exercises to create patterns
• Playing techniques (finger tricks, rolls, strokes, harmonics, etc.)
• Exercises to train your ears
• Composition exercises
• Groove exercises
A last word ?
Thank you for this opportunity to share my work ! I love our family and can’t wait to hear more and more handpan music creations ! Big hugs from France !
Allright thank you david for all this informations! Folks you can discover David courses on www.masterthehandpan.com and enjoy these great handpan lessons.
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