Rosie Bergonzi
Handpan ChordBook
PanScript™ Handpan Notation by Rosie Bergonzi
Photo by Bill Knight
Making harmony visible for handpan players
Handpan ChordBook is a creative learning platform designed to help handpan players better understand harmony, structure, and musical flow. The project explores new ways of visualising music for an instrument that is often learned intuitively, bridging the gap between feeling and theory through carefully designed content and tools.
The Challenge
Handpan instruments are limited to a single scale, with note layouts that vary between makers and models. Traditional chord charts and lead sheets don’t translate well to the instrument, creating a steep learning curve for players who want to explore harmony and song-based playing.
Rosie Bergonzi developed PanScript, a visual notation system that maps notes directly to the physical layout of a handpan. The challenge was to turn this system into a digital product that could dynamically adapt to different handpans—allowing players to switch models, transpose songs, and see chord shapes update in real time—while remaining intuitive, fast, and accessible for musicians at all levels.
Educational Courses
Handpan ChordBook delivers structured courses that guide players through harmony, rhythm, and composition in a way that feels natural to the instrument. Lessons are designed to support both self-taught players and those with formal musical backgrounds, using visual frameworks and real musical examples rather than abstract theory.
Online Store
WooCommerce intergration and setup to support digital courses, curated bundles, and standalone learning resources. Each product is carefully structured to reflect the player’s journey — from first steps to deeper exploration — with secure checkout and automated content access on purchase. The shop feels calm and intuitive, while remaining flexible for future expansion.
A Word from Rosie
"Working with Unicorn Strike Force has been a pleasure throughout. When I first came with an idea in 2024 Chris took so much time to understand my vision. Together we crafted cutting edge technology that expanded the boundaries of Handpan Learning, fusing music theory with fun. It's a brand new site for a brand new instrument.
The whole team are fantastic, with friendly communication and incredible results. Their client side tech support is professional and efficient allowing me to stay focused on music. I’m so struck by their willingness to say yes to ideas of all scope, going above and beyond to create something better than I could have imagined.
Meetings are always easy, with both Chris and Mandy taking time to explain things to me on calls and in messages in great detail. Any questions or worries are answered quickly and any issues are resolved immediately. This has allowed the site to grow successfully and with huge customer trust.
What was fantastic was how flexible Chris has been as the project grew and changed, evolving from a free tool to now a functioning business with courses and subscriptions. The project was able to grow organically with fantastic integration of each new idea over the past 2 years, and I look forward to working together into the future. Thanks Unicorn Strike Force!"
Let's Work Together
Every project is unique. A quick chat helps us understand what you need and give you an accurate quote — no guesswork, no pressure. If you’re curious, stuck, or ready to start, get in touch.