Introducing Riza Handpan by Melodic Forest
A beginner-friendly handpan collection made with love — and made to last.
We’re beyond excited to finally introduce something we’ve been working on for nearly three years:
Riza Handpan by Melodic Forest — a thoughtfully curated line of beginner-friendly handpans, available exclusively in Australia. If you’ve been looking for your very first handpan — one that sounds beautiful, stays in tune, and doesn’t break the bank — this collection was made for you.
The Journey Behind Riza
Back in 2022, we started exploring the idea of offering handpans in our shop. But we didn’t want to rush into it. Handpans are unlike any other instrument — deeply personal, expressive, and incredibly nuanced.
So we took our time. We researched. We played. We tested. We tuned and re-tuned. Our goal was clear: To create a beginner-friendly handpan that’s affordable and genuinely worth playing every day.
How I Fell in Love with the Handpan
As a former piano teacher with a lifelong love of music, I’ve always been drawn to new instruments. But the handpan hit differently — I still remember the first time I heard one. The sound was calming, meditative, and magical.
I started with a hybrid tongue drum mini handpan from Hluru, then invested in a premium handpan from MetalSounds in France to understand what a high-end instrument should feel like.
That kicked off years of deep exploration. At the same time, I had just launched Little Kalimba Shop, and interstingly, makers from around the world began approaching us to stock their handpans. But I didn’t want to sell anything I didn’t fully understand or believe in. So I waited.
Why We Created Riza
If you’ve looked into buying a beginner handpan in Australia, you’ve probably felt what we did — confusion, frustration, and uncertainty.
Here’s the truth:
Most beginner handpans under $1,000 are made in China. Some are decent. Many are not. The problem is, they often look identical — same shape, same packaging, same accessories — but the sound quality and tuning accuracy can be vastly different.
So we decided to test them all. Literally.
We began ordering beginner handpans from as many makers as we could find. But we didn’t just give them a quick tap. We put them through our full test process — and that’s where things got serious.
Some models were placed in our Sydney showroom as early as three years ago, long before we sold a single one online. When we found a model that sounded decent, we left it on display for months — letting walk-in customers play it, letting our team play it during breaks.
This was our tuning stability test. We needed to see if these handpans could hold their tuning over time, under real-life casual use.
Out of over 30 different beginner models we tested, more than half failed on Day One due to poor sound quality or incorrect tuning. Those that passed the initial test were left in our showroom for 3–6 months or more, and sadly, most of them failed the stability test too — going noticeably out of tune with regular use.
We weren’t even sure we’d ever find one worth recommending. But we kept going. And thankfully, Chinese handpan makers have been improving their craftsmanship at an incredible speed. Eventually, we found a maker whose instrument stood out.
That handpan became the seed for Riza.
What Makes Riza Handpan Special
Among the dozens of handpans we tested, one finally felt different. The tone was clearer. The resonance, stronger. It wasn’t perfect — but it had real potential.
We reached out to the maker, not to ask for a discount, but to ask for better craftsmanship. We offered to pay more if they could improve the sound, tuning, and finish. To our surprise, they were thrilled. They cared deeply about their work — and they were open to collaborating.
We worked closely for months. Through multiple rounds of feedback and upgrades, the sustain got longer. The tone became richer. The tuning more reliable. That handpan became the foundation for Riza — a collection we could finally stand behind with confidence.
Each Riza Handpan is handcrafted by a skilled, independent maker we've partnered with from day one. Our demo videos are recorded on an iPhone — no fancy mics, no sound editing. What you hear online is exactly what you’ll hear at home (with a little practice, of couse :D)
Backed by Real People — Not Just a Website
We’re not just a brand on a screen. We’re a real music shop in Sydney with a showroom, a warehouse, and a small, passionate team.
Every Riza Handpan comes with:
✅ 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee – Try it at home. Don’t love it? Return or exchange it, no questions asked.
✅ 1-Year Tuning Warranty – If your handpan goes out of tune with normal use, we’ll replace it at no cost.
We know buying your first handpan can feel overwhelming. We're here to make it easier, and more joyful.
Why the Name “Riza”?
“Riza” means root in Greek — grounding, steady, and full of growth.
In Spanish, it comes from rizar, meaning to curl or ripple — just like the sound waves from a handpan.
To us, it represents both the beginning and the flow of your musical journey.
Riza Handpan by Melodic Forest - Grounded in quality. Tuned for joy. Ready for your hands.
Coming Soon: Yula Handpan — Our Premium Line
While building the Riza collection, we also discovered a few extraordinary premium handpan makers in China — the same expert artisans behind many famous European and US brands (though you’d never see their name).
We’re now working with these incredible makers to create something new:
Yula Handpan by Melodic Forest — a premium handpan line with custom tunings, lush overtones, and master-level craftsmanship.
Designed for intermediate to advanced players, this is something truly special.
Coming soon.
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