Earn money with a handpan?
Although handpans are relatively new to the street music world compared to instruments such as guitars or flutes, they have quickly gained a large fan base due to their unusual, contemplative and spiritual sound.
So you could earn money with a handpan by busking, i.e. playing music on the street, or by marketing your music through other channels.
If you're new to busking but love the sound of the handpan and want to make a living playing busking, here are some tips for you.
You've probably already read our other blog articles about how to choose the first handpan for beginners and have now bought your first instrument. Or you've had the handpan for a while but aren't sure how to start busking.
In these cases, just read on, because today will definitely be interesting for you again!
How can I make money with my handpan?
You've already met a musician playing on the street. Maybe he had an instrument case, a hat or a small box in front of him and people throw money into it as they pass by or after a song. Are you interested in playing the handpan on the street? Then you should read our tips below.
You could also record your music and sell it - we have some advice for that too. Or do you want to become a star in a band and organize gigs? That's also possible. And the most popular way at the moment is through YouTube videos .
As you can see, there are a number of ways to make money with your handpan, even if you bought it second-hand .
Is a handpan suitable for street music / busking?
The handpan is ideal for busking. Your handpan cost a few euros. Quite a lot. Have you ever thought about amortizing the instrument or the amount? Play on the street and you will see that a few euros will come in every day. You will quickly find out which are the best places in your area and the best time and then you can earn money with busking.
Busking - street music with the handpan
There are a number of reasons to play street music with the handpan. Let's look at some of them here:
- You don't have to spend unnecessary time making phone calls or searching for gigs on the Internet.
- You are your own boss. No restaurant owner, no club owner, etc. telling you what to play or how loud you can play. You can decide when to take breaks as you want.
- You do it when you want. There is no schedule to stick to, but you do have to pay attention to the times when things are less busy and people have more time. You also get to meet lots of people from all over the world.
- You get paid to practice! No one will fire you if you get a little off.
- You have experiences (good and bad) that make life interesting and that you would probably never have any other way.
OUR TIPS FOR GOOD BUSKING
Always be nice and friendly, no matter how you create your music. Make eye contact and smile! And feel free to use a handpan music book . Being a street performer is really hard work, but if you're good at it, you can make money. A successful street performer probably makes more money than people realize. Here are concrete tips for more successful busking:
Maintain eye contact with your audience
Be sure to make eye contact, see what your audience is feeling and play accordingly. Notice any change in facial expressions. But don't overdo it. Let them join in. Stay humble, mention your social media channel and explain that there is more to enjoy there if they wish, and send them off by thanking them for taking the time to share a moment with you and your handpan
Answer your audience’s questions
Expect questions, because you want to connect with the audience. Even if you know your instrument very well, for many people this is the first time they've seen a handpan. Educate the audience and those who take the time to inquire. This is just as important as the music itself, and in some ways it's a part you'll enjoy. Often you'll only play for a few minutes before someone comes up and asks questions, and you'll spend the next 30 minutes talking about the handpan and your individual experience.
Don't think about playing for money
Just play, feel connected to your instrument and let any compensation be seen as a plus. If you start playing just for the money, the audience will sense it. That's not good! Play for yourself and for the audience who have given you a few minutes of their day. They will automatically feel that they want to give something, not that they have to give something.
Use a banner and advertise
You're a street musician looking for recognition for your art. You probably have an Instagram, Facebook or YouTube channel. Social channels are an additional method to increase your visibility.
Take advantage of the opportunity of public presence to promote your social identity and watch your following grow with every hour your sign is visible.
Sell your music
Recording and selling music has never been more accessible. With plenty of social media promotion opportunities that cost nothing more than time and inexpensive home recording options, recording an album is very cost-effective. Use teaser channels for previews and giveaways to sell a full album of songs from. It's not the easiest way to make money from your music, but it's often the most lucrative. Land a hit - a big viral hit can make a huge difference. If you're lucky enough to land one, the world is your oyster.
Open a YouTube channel
We've already mentioned social media and how great it is to have a hit. There are already a number of musicians recording their handpan music and releasing it on YouTube. Aside from the potential revenue from advertising on your new YouTube channel, you also have the opportunity to promote new music, album sales and product sales.
