Tuning name: Pygmy
Standard tone sequence: C#/ F# G# A C# E F# G# A
Atmosphere: Meditative - Introverted - Floating
Tonal center: DING
Mode: Aeolian minor
Tone range: Pentatonic
Semitones: 2-1-4-3-2-2-1-4
The C# Pygmy Handpan tuning explained:
Pygmy is an extremely popular scale. Apart from the name, this scale probably only has the number of notes up to the octave (pentatonic) in common with the music of the Pygmies. To our Western ears, the equi-pentatonic scale, which some African peoples traditionally use, would probably also be very unfamiliar. Nevertheless, both rhythmic patterns and melodic phrases can be realized very well with this hemitonic pentatonic scale.
A special feature of both Pygmy versions is that four of the five tones are each present an octave higher, allowing the overtones to be amplified (cf. natural scale).
Pygmy is often referred to as dorianpentatonic . This designation is not comprehensible to us, as there is no sixth degree at all. The term dorianpentatonic probably originated in analogy to the church scales. This approach makes little sense in connection with pentatonic scales, as the major sixth note, which is absolutely essential for the Dorian mode, is not present in this example. Apart from that, Pygmy is a very cool sounding scale!
Music theory features of the Pygmy handpan tuning:
The special feature of this Pygmy tuning is that it is a hemitonic pentatonic. This means that, in contrast to a normal major or minor pentatonic (anhemitonic pentatonics), a semitone step is also included. This is located between the first note and the second note, so the first three notes of the natural minor scale (Aeolian) are present in Pygmy without a leap. In the F Pygmy example, this would be F-G-Ab. From this note there is a leap of a major third (also known as a major third) to the fifth note (in the example: note C) This is followed by a minor third leap and a whole tone step that leads to the octave. From here there is the same sequence of notes up to the duodecimal (fifth note in the upper octave).
Despite the presence of a semitone step and its potential for friction, Pygmy is very easy and intuitive to play. A clear recommendation even for beginners!
Possible tone sequences of the C# Pygmy scale:
Tone sequence with 9 notes: C#/ F# G# A C# E F# G# A (as in video 1)
Tone sequence with 10 notes:
- Option 1 - extension into the treble: C#/ F# G# A C# E F# G# A (B)
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Option 2 - extension to the low notes: C#/ (D) F# G# A C# E F# G# A
Tone sequence with 11 notes:
- Option 1 - extension into the high notes: C#/ F# G# A C# E F# G# A (B) (C#)
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Option 2 - extension in the width: C#/ F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A
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Option 3 - extension into the bass: C#/ (D) (E) F# G# A C# E F# G# A
Tone sequence with 12 notes:
- Option 1 - extension to the high notes: C#/ F# G# A C# E F# G# A (B) (C#) (D)
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Option 2 - extension into the width: C#/ F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A (B)
- Option 3 - extension into the bass: C#/ (D) (E) F# G# A (B) C# E F# G# A
Tone sequence with 13 notes:
- Option 1 - extension into the high notes: C#/ F# G# A C# E F# G# A (B) (C#) (D) (E)
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Option 2 - extension to the width: C#/ F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A (B) (C#)
- Option 3 - extension into the lower register: C#/ (D) (E) F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A
Tone sequence with 14 notes:
- Option 1 - extension to the high notes: C#/ F# G# A C# (D) E F# G# A (B) (C#) (D) (E)
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Option 2 - extension in the width:
- Option 3 - extension into the lower range: C#/ (D) (E) F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A (B)
Tone sequence with 15 notes:
- Option 1 - extension into the treble: C#/ F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A (B) (C#) (D) (E)
- Option 3 - extension to the low notes: C#/ (D) (E) F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A (B) (C#)
Tone sequence with 16 notes:
- Option 1 - extension into the treble: C#/ (E) F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A (B) (C#) (D) (E)
- Option 3 - extension into the low notes: C#/ (D) (E) F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A (B) (C#) (D)
Tone sequence with 17 notes: C#/(D) (E) F# G# A (B) C# (D) E F# G# A (B) (C#) (D) (E) (as in video 2)
*Bottom notes are additional tone fields on the underside of the handpan and are written in round brackets, e.g. (D E).
Mutanthandpans have additional notes on the top shell in the second row - between the chorus and the root note. Mutant notes are written in curly brackets, e.g. {D E}.
→ You can read a detailed article on mutant & bottom-note handpans here: Blog post
→ Discover our full selection of mutant & bottom-note handpans here
We only list the standard layouts under "Possible tone sequences". On request, our handpans can also be made with other notes and in other arrangements. Simply write an email with your request to: service@handpan.world
Matching handpan tunings for C# Pygmy:
Very suitable for improvised playing together:
Also good for composing together:
