Handpan Workshop & Community Membership

Learn Handpan. Play Complete Music. Jam Together.

Join a welcoming, ongoing handpan learning community at Melodic Forest in Villawood, Sydney.

Whether you have just bought your first handpan, have never touched one before, or simply want to try the instrument before buying, this is a clear and supportive way to begin.

No previous musical experience is required, and you do not need to own a handpan. Handpans are available to use during the sessions.

Founding Member Early Bird — Only 10 Available

One-time Founding Membership Ticket: $169
Regular monthly price: $199

This ticket covers your first full month of the Handpan Workshop & Community program when it begins in October 2026.

This purchase is not an automatic subscription. You will only be charged $169 once, and no further payment will be taken without your approval.

After experiencing your first month, you can decide whether you would like to continue. As one of our first 10 Founding Members, you will be invited to continue at the locked-in Founding Member rate of $169 per month. Members who join later will pay the regular rate of $199 per month.

Your Founding Member Gift

As a thank-you for helping us begin this community, each Founding Member will also receive a complimentary Hluru Wave Series Wind Chime in D minor, valued at $59.

View the Hluru Wave Series Wind Chime →

What Your First Month Includes

Your Founding Membership Ticket includes access to at least:

• Two structured beginner handpan workshops
• One Community Handpan Jam
• 6+ hours of handpan sessions
• A private member WhatsApp group
• Handpans to use during the sessions
• A welcoming small-group learning environment

Attend all the included sessions or choose only the sessions that suit you.

Structured workshops are approximately two hours each and are normally held on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Community Jam times are more flexible and may be arranged around member availability.

Not the Same Lesson Every Month

This is an ongoing learning program—not a workshop you simply repeat.

Every workshop and Jam is shaped around the experience, confidence and interests of the people attending that day. As you progress, the material progresses with you.

Returning members continue developing new rhythms, techniques, grooves, melodies, complete pieces, arrangements and ensemble skills rather than starting from the beginning every month.

Complete beginners are always supported with accessible parts, while developing and experienced players can be given more challenging patterns, variations and musical roles. You can join from zero and keep learning, improving and playing new music month after month.

Made for Complete Beginners

You are welcome even if you:

• have never played a handpan
• have no musical background or cannot read music
• have just bought your first handpan and do not know how to begin
• find it difficult to produce a clean sound
• do not own a handpan and simply want to try one

You do not need to “be musical” before joining. The Absolute Beginners workshop is specifically designed for people starting from zero.

Your Handpan Journey

1. Handpan Beginner Workshop — Absolute Beginners

This is the place to start if you genuinely know nothing about handpan.

You will explore:

• how to strike the handpan correctly and create a clean, consistent note
• basic hand and finger techniques
• the Ding and tone fields
• simple rhythm and timing
• beginner-friendly grooves
• how to combine notes into something musical
• playing simple grooves together as a group

The goal is to help you feel comfortable with the instrument and start making music from your first session.

If you attend again, you will not simply repeat the same beginner lesson. The workshop content adapts to your progress, with new techniques, rhythms and grooves introduced as your confidence grows.

Casual value: $120 per session
Included in Founding Membership: Yes

2. Handpan Beginner Ensemble — Learn a Complete Piece

This is the natural next step after attending the Absolute Beginners workshop at least once.

You may also join if you can already produce a reasonably clean sound, use a few basic techniques and follow a simple rhythm or pattern. You do not need to be an experienced player.

Rather than learning disconnected exercises, each Ensemble session works towards something complete and satisfying, such as:

• a complete melody, song or handpan arrangement
• a developed groove with variations
• a rhythmic piece
• a group arrangement with complementary parts

Each Ensemble session can explore a different piece, arrangement or musical idea. Returning members keep expanding their repertoire and take on new or more developed parts as their skills grow.

Casual value: $120 per session
Included in Founding Membership: Yes

3. Community Handpan Jam — All Levels Welcome

Community Jam is a relaxed group playing experience, not a structured class. Complete beginners, developing players and experienced handpan players are all welcome.

The session is adapted to the people in the room. Participants may play complementary parts such as a simple pulse, Ding or bass pattern, repeating groove, rhythm layer, melody, variations or improvisation.

Every Jam is different. Beginners can play simple, comfortable parts, while more experienced players have room to improvise and add complexity. The facilitator adapts the musical layers and level of challenge to the group on the day.

Casual value: $49 per session
Included in Founding Membership: Yes

Workshop Times

The Absolute Beginners and Beginner Ensemble workshops are normally held:

Saturdays, 9:00 am–11:00 am

If you would love to join but cannot attend on Saturday mornings, please email support@melodicforest.com.au. If enough people are interested, we may arrange an additional workshop at another time.

Flexible Community Jam Times

Community Jams may be held on Saturday mornings or at another suitable time. We will communicate with members through our private WhatsApp group and arrange Jam times as flexibly as possible based on the availability of the group. Confirmed dates and times will always be shared in advance.

A Small, Welcoming Community

Our workshops and jams are intentionally kept small, giving everyone space to learn, ask questions, build confidence and make music together.

After joining, members will be invited to a private WhatsApp group where we share upcoming dates, confirm attendance, send reminders and stay connected. Members can simply let us know in the group which sessions they would like to attend.

Founding Membership Value

• Beginner Workshop: $120
• Beginner Ensemble: $120
• Community Jam: $49

Total casual session value: $289
Founding Member Gift: valued at $59
Total first-month value: $348

Your Founding Member price: $169
Regular membership price: $199

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an automatic subscription?

No. This is a one-time $169 ticket covering your first month. You will not be charged again automatically.

What happens after my first month?

After your first month, you can decide whether you would like to continue. Founding Members will be invited to continue at $169 per month. Members who join later will pay the regular $199 monthly rate.

Do I need my own handpan?

No. Handpans are available to use during the sessions.

I have never played music before. Can I join?

Yes. The Absolute Beginners workshop is designed specifically for complete beginners. No previous musical experience is required.

Will I learn the same thing every month?

No. Workshops and Community Jams are tailored to the skill levels of the people attending. The content develops with the group, so returning members continue learning new techniques, rhythms, grooves, complete pieces and ensemble parts.

Can I attend Community Jam as a beginner?

Yes. Community Jam is open to all levels, including complete beginners.

Do I need to attend every session?

No. Your membership gives you access to all included sessions, but you can attend all of them or only the ones that suit you.

When does the program begin?

The first Founding Membership month begins in October 2026. Confirmed dates will be shared with members in advance.

Become a Founding Member

Start from zero, keep progressing and experience the joy of making music with other people.

Only 10 Founding Memberships available.
One-time first-month ticket: $169
Includes a complimentary Hluru Wave Series Wind Chime.