There are lot of great scales out there but something about the “Celtic Minor” variation touches a sweet place in my heart. We made this extended version for a dear friend.
D/ (F, G) A, C, D, E, F, G, A, C (D, E)
The term “Celtic Minor” in the handpan world means that the variation leaves out the 6th note of the minor scale, in this case, Bb. The 6th note of the minor scale tends to be the darkest so it’s omission smooths out the scale and focuses it a bit more on the uplifting and meditative qualities of the minor scale in my humble opinion.
Outside of the handpan world, “Celtic Minor” seems to mostly refer to the Dorian scale where the 6th note of the minor scale is raised, in this case from a Bb to a B. The handpan “Celtic Minor” is sort of the middle ground between Minor and Dorian as it can be played in both because it leaves out the defining note.
Sometimes, it seems less truly can be more 😉