Applied Music Theory for Handpan
Make music theory fun and a powerful tool in your playing with Dr. Baran Yildiz
Intended for all levels
Intended for players who want to understand music better and learn about the wonderful world of music theory
90 video lessons
Learn fast and have fun with step-by-step lessons in a progressive curriculum
Trusted by 38,000 players
Students give MasterTheHandpan's courses an average rating of 5/5
Dive deep into new handpan skills
Course Curriculum
Baran Yildiz is a Sydney based multi-instrumentalist and his music combines melodies and rhythms of the Anatolia, Middle East and Africa with a modern touch on the hand pan, piano and other percussion instruments.
Baran pushes the boundaries of the handpan instrument through the power of music theory, experimenting with different melodic layers and collaborating with other leading instrumentalists.
Baran was originally trained in classical piano during early childhood. He continued his musical training at the conservatorium during school and his passion has led him to pursue further education in music theory at some of the world's leading music institutions. Baran has gradually become a contemporary world music composer and released two albums: ‘Interbeing’ (September 2019) and Bridging Worlds (October 2023), blending various modern world and neo-classical music elements.
He is regularly invited to perform at the leading world music venues and festivals across Australia.
Learning simplified, fun amplified
Immersive videos with clear views
All our lessons are shot from above. This means when the instructor uses their left hand, it aligns with your left, and the same for the right. Say goodbye to the brain-bending task of reverse thinking.
We break down every pattern gradually, allowing you to mirror your teacher's hand movements on the handpan with ease.
Compatible with your instrument
Got a central note on top and notes around it? Perfect! All our courses are 100% compatible with your instrument. Handpan, tongue drum, any scale or note count – you name it, it works.
Watch your progress unfold
Maintain that motivation with a clear view of your handpan journey and your course progress. No matter where you pause, it's a breeze to pick up right where you left off.
Progress at your pace
Dive into lessons anytime and rewatch as often as you like to fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Learn anywhere
Access courses on any device: computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart TV.
E-book: your offline handpan guide
This masterclass offers a notation booklet packed with exercises. Print it out, take it to your favorite spot, and enjoy the freedom to practice offline.
A notation system that's fun & innovative
Dive into a world of symbols, colors, numbers, and friendly ghosts (booooo). Designed to help you get the most out of the tutorials, our intuitive hand notation system simplifies things. Any pattern becomes second nature. Simply follow along & let those grooves flow.
Immersive videos with clear views
All our lessons are shot from above. This means when the instructor uses their left hand, it aligns with your left, and the same for the right. Say goodbye to the brain-bending task of reverse thinking.
We break down every pattern gradually, allowing you to mirror your teacher's hand movements on the handpan with ease.
Compatible with your instrument
Got a central note on top and notes around it? Perfect! All our courses are 100% compatible with your instrument. Handpan, tongue drum, any scale or note count – you name it, it works.
Watch your progress unfold
Maintain that motivation with a clear view of your handpan journey and your course progress. No matter where you pause, it's a breeze to pick up right where you left off.
Progress at your pace
Dive into lessons anytime and rewatch as often as you like to fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Learn anywhere
Access courses on any device: computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart TV.
E-book: your offline handpan guide
This masterclass offers a notation booklet packed with exercises. Print it out, take it to your favorite spot, and enjoy the freedom to practice offline.
A notation system that's fun & innovative
Dive into a world of symbols, colors and numbers. Designed to help you get the most out of the tutorials, our intuitive hand notation system simplifies things. Any pattern becomes second nature. Simply follow along & let those grooves flow.
Immersive videos with clear views
All our lessons are shot from above. This means when the instructor uses their left hand, it aligns with your left, and the same for the right. Say goodbye to the brain-bending task of reverse thinking.
We break down every pattern gradually, allowing you to mirror your teacher's hand movements on the handpan with ease.
Compatible with your instrument
Got a central note on top and notes around it? Perfect! All our courses are 100% compatible with your instrument. Handpan, tongue drum, any scale or note count – you name it, it works.
Watch your progress unfold
Maintain that motivation with a clear view of your handpan journey and your course progress. No matter where you pause, it's a breeze to pick up right where you left off.
Progress at your pace
Dive into lessons anytime and rewatch as often as you like to fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Learn anywhere
Access courses on any device: computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart TV.
E-book: your offline handpan guide
This masterclass offers a notation booklet packed with exercises. Print it out, take it to your favorite spot, and enjoy the freedom to practice offline.
Immersive videos with clear views
All our lessons are shot from above. This means when the instructor uses their left hand, it aligns with your left, and the same for the right. Say goodbye to the brain-bending task of reverse thinking.
We break down every pattern gradually, allowing you to mirror your teacher's hand movements on the handpan with ease.
Watch your progress unfold
Maintain that motivation with a clear view of your handpan journey and your course progress. No matter where you pause, it's a breeze to pick up right where you left off.
Compatible with your instrument
Got a central note on top and notes around it? Perfect! All our courses are 100% compatible with your instrument. Handpan, tongue drum, any scale or note count – you name it, it works.
Progress at your pace
Dive into lessons anytime and rewatch as often as you like to fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Learn anywhere
Access courses on any device: computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart TV.
Top 3 reasons why you'll love this masterclass
Improve your understanding of music
Build strong foundations for your compositions
Play melodies, chords and progressions that you didn't know before
Open the door to the beautiful world of practical music theory
Already trusted by 38,000 players
Check out these real, verified testimonials. Read more
William Settle
Andreas Martin
Marcos Bellettati Fernandes
Alex Kallivroussis
Nate Malinowski
Rhi Indi Ana
Daniëlla Cristantielli
Laurent Muratet
Annette Mönsters
Alex Buildup
Frequently Asked Questions
In this masterclass, Jeremy will exclusively be using BOSS loop stations, namely the RC-30, the RC-50 (now replaced by the RC-300) and the RC-505.
He considers these to be the most ergonomic plug’n’play units for percussionists. For instance, they have a microphone input with phantom power, which is not the case for many loop stations.
Also, Boss loop stations are used around the world, allowing people everywhere to share advice and experience.
Though a few buttons and features may be different on your loop station, almost all loop stations have similar characteristics and workflow, and you should be able to follow the entire course.
As most of the operations demonstrated and described are the same on all loopers, Jeremy’s masterclass will give you a deeper understanding of how to refine your sound and build beautiful tracks.
To follow this course you will need the following equipment:
Essential:
- A loop station with an XLR (microphone) input.
- A decent quality microphone of any brand, with a stand.
- An XLR (microphone) cable.
- A pair of headphones or an amplifier to connect to your loop station’s output.
Recommended:
- Because there is a section on sculpting your instruments with EQ (equalization), a mixer desk with EQs on each channel is desirable.
- Because there is a section about FX (effects), owning pedals (octaver, delay, reverb, etc.) is also desirable, especially if they are similar to Jeremy’s. (Note that you will receive a full list of Jeremy’s gear as part of the course.)
Optional:
- Additional instruments other than your handpan (e.g. cajon, keyboard, jaw harp, or any other instrument).
Reading this article will help you choose equipment according to your budget.
Are you missing essential gear?
This course will inspire and guide you in the purchase of your first looping equipment.
- Reading this article will help you choose equipment according to your budget.
- When you enroll in the course, you will access the full list of equipment used in the masterclass. Why not treat yourself to some new gear in the near future and come back afterwards to enjoy the course in its fullest?
Are you missing recommended or optional gear?
- Remember that this is a broad and insightful sound/effects/looping course with lots for any musician to take away, whether you have a basic or advanced setup. It was designed with the knowledge that many of the participants will not own the same equipment as Jeremy.
- Because when you enroll in the course you get lifelong access to Jeremy’s Masterclass, you can start by learning from his experience and gaining inspiration. Later on, when you are able to purchase new gear, you will be able to come back to specific sections and put them into practice. To help you with this, you will receive a full list of Jeremy’s gear as part of the course.
In this masterclass, Jeremy will exclusively be using BOSS loop stations, namely the RC-30, the RC-50 (now replaced by the RC-300) and the RC-505.
He considers these to be the most ergonomic plug’n’play units for percussionists. For instance, they have a microphone input with phantom power, which is not the case for many loop stations.
Also, Boss loop stations are used around the world, allowing people everywhere to share advice and experience.
Though a few buttons and features may be different on your loop station, almost all loop stations have similar characteristics and workflow, and you should be able to follow the entire course.
As most of the operations demonstrated and described are the same on all loopers, Jeremy’s masterclass will give you a deeper understanding of how to refine your sound and build beautiful tracks.
To follow this course you will need the following equipment:
Essential:
- A loop station with an XLR (microphone) input.
- A decent quality microphone of any brand, with a stand.
- An XLR (microphone) cable.
- A pair of headphones or an amplifier to connect to your loop station’s output.
Recommended:
- Because there is a section on sculpting your instruments with EQ (equalization), a mixer desk with EQs on each channel is desirable.
- Because there is a section about FX (effects), owning pedals (octaver, delay, reverb, etc.) is also desirable, especially if they are similar to Jeremy’s. (Note that you will receive a full list of Jeremy’s gear as part of the course.)
Optional:
- Additional instruments other than your handpan (e.g. cajon, keyboard, jaw harp, or any other instrument).
Reading this article will help you choose equipment according to your budget.
Are you missing essential gear?
This course will inspire and guide you in the purchase of your first looping equipment.
- Reading this article will help you choose equipment according to your budget.
- When you enroll in the course, you will access the full list of equipment used in the masterclass. Why not treat yourself to some new gear in the near future and come back afterwards to enjoy the course in its fullest?
Are you missing recommended or optional gear?
- Remember that this is a broad and insightful sound/effects/looping course with lots for any musician to take away, whether you have a basic or advanced setup. It was designed with the knowledge that many of the participants will not own the same equipment as Jeremy.
- Because when you enroll in the course you get lifelong access to Jeremy’s Masterclass, you can start by learning from his experience and gaining inspiration. Later on, when you are able to purchase new gear, you will be able to come back to specific sections and put them into practice. To help you with this, you will receive a full list of Jeremy’s gear as part of the course.
Tom will be using a standard computer, an entry-level microphone (Rode NT1A) and audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2), and of course his ears and creativity.
In some optional lessons, he will be using entry-level midi controllers (Novation Launch Control & Novation Launchpad S).
As we’ve said before, there is nothing fancy here, and any similar gear you own will do perfectly.
This course is made for you to be able to follow even if you have very limited equipment.
You only need the following:
Essential:
- A computer (even a low-performance one is fine).
- A microphone + audio interface: absolutely any will do, but Tom will advise you in the first few lessons to help you choose if you haven’t already got one. If your microphone can be connected straight into your computer, an audio interface won’t be needed.
- Some music production software: Tom uses Ableton Live, but you can totally use different software. He explains in one of the first lessons how to get Ableton Live for free or affordably, and what other software you can use – there are many free options!
That’s it, you’re good to go! However, if you have or want to use more equipment, Tom will also take you through optional gear that may be of interest to you in a few of the lessons.
Optional:
- ClipLaunch midi controller (e.g. Novation’s launchpad) for live performances
- Mixing midi controller (e.g. Novation’s launch control) for a quicker workflow
These controllers will mainly speed up your workflow and make the process more comfortable and fun. However, you can do absolutely everything without them.
Tom uses Ableton Live software, but you can totally use different software. He explains in one of the first lessons how to get Ableton Live for free or affordably, and goes through other software options you can choose from.
All music production software is pretty similar so it shouldn’t be difficult for you to follow the course if you are already using another one and want to keep going with it.If you have never used any music production software before and you’re a total beginner, our advice would be to get the trial or the Lite version of Ableton Live to follow the course. (You probably already have the lite version, since it comes free with most audio gear these days!)
You’ll then have the knowledge you need to either switch to another software, or stick with Ableton Live.
Once again, there’s a good chance you can get the Lite version for free, and Tom will explain how. 😉
Are you missing essential gear (such as a microphone or interface)?
This course will inspire and guide you to purchase your first set of equipment. If you do not have some of the required gear, great ! You’ll then get some good advice to help you choose. 😉
Are you missing optional gear ?
- Remember that this is a broad and insightful course with lots for any musician to take away, whether you have a basic or advanced setup. It was designed with the knowledge that many of the participants would not own the same equipment as Tom. Tom will help you understand the concepts rather than focus on the gear itself. That way, you can easily adapt it to any other similar setup.
- Because you get lifelong access to Tom’s Masterclass when you enroll in the course, you can start by learning from his experience and gaining inspiration. Later on, when you are able to purchase new gear, you can come back to specific sections to get advice, choose the perfect gear for you and put what you’ve learned into practice.
When you enroll in this masterclass, we've got everything ready for you to access:
If you choose our MasterTheHandpan Academy membership (undoubtedly the best value), you'll get everything from the course, plus so much more :
- Unlimited access to all our courses —including the new ones we introduce (3-4 each year)
- Exclusive entry into our vibrant private community
Review the detailed offerings at the bottom of this page
Let's clear this up so you know exactly what you're getting into:
- Single course: It's a one-time purchase. Buy the course once, and it's yours with lifetime access.
- All-access pass: MasterTheHandpan Academy offers a membership with unlimited access to all our courses, including 3-4 new ones introduced each year. Your access continues uninterrupted as long as you maintain your membership. Plus, you'll join our private community, where you can participate in Q&A live sessions, workshops, challenges and much more.
For the most comprehensive experience, MasterTheHandpan Academy offers superior value.
- The single masterclass is priced at
$149
149€
.
It's a one-time purchase. Buy the course once, and it's yours with lifetime access.
- The MasterTheHandpan Academy membership at $29 per month.
This membership not only includes this course but also gives you access to all our other courses, any new courses we add, plus entry into our vibrant community.
Not at all! MasterTheHandpan is designed to be user-friendly. You can easily navigate through the platform, and if you ever encounter any issues, our support team is here to help.
Have a central note with surrounding notes? Perfect! Every single one of our courses is designed to be 100% compatible with instruments like the Handpan and the tongue drum. Different scales, note counts, colors? We've got you covered. Here is a 3-video series to clear everything up.
We've got you covered for most payment methods! You can use all the major credit cards like Visa and MasterCard, and for quick checkouts, Google Pay and Apple Pay are ready to go.
If you're paying in euros, you're in luck — we also accept Giropay, iDEAL, and SEPA transfers for your convenience.
Prefer PayPal?
We can make that happen too! Simply contact us, and we'll take care of the details for you.
Yes, you can access our courses on multiple devices. Whether you prefer to learn on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you'll have full access to all course materials.
If you still have questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Our friendly customer care team is here to help and would be thrilled to have a chat with you.
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