The handpan is a modern invention, born at the dawn of this millennium, yet its sound feels timeless, as if it could echo through an ancient Egyptian temple. Its warm, resonant tones bring calm and relaxation, offering a unique escape from the busyness of life.
I first encountered the handpan during a performance inside a sauna. The experience was mesmerizing, and – being a musician – I was curious about owning one. A bit of research revealed that the model played in that sauna likely cost around €4,000. That’s not a casual purchase! So, I approached the idea as a decision-making process, aiming to weigh my options rationally.
Familiarising Yourself with the Handpan World
Handpans come in many varieties:
- Material: Stainless steel or nitrided steel
- Tone: D, C, A, Bb, …
- Scale: Kurd, minor, Celtic, major, …
- Frequency: 440 Hz vs. 432 Hz
- Number of notes: 9, 10, 12, or 13
- Color: Silver, gold, or custom finishes
If decision-making were linear, it would boil down to two simple questions:
- Should I buy a handpan?
- If yes, which model?
But decisions, like life, are rarely so straightforward. Purchasing a handpan is a perfect example of an obliquity problem. Choosing a cheap model you’ll barely use—or an expensive one you can’t afford—doesn’t create real value. The main question becomes: Will I actually use it, or is this just an impulsive decision that will feel exciting for a few days before it fades away? And this is not something one can answer purely rationally.
Narrowing the Options
After researching, I simplified my choices to:
- A 9-tone D Kurd handpan for €498 from Thomann—affordable, but limited in flexibility.
- A 13-tone D Kurd handpan for €1,400 from a passionate maker & musician—more versatile, but pricier and only available for pre-sale.
- No purchase at all—keeping the memory of the sauna experience instead.
The D Kurd scale is one of the most common. Its minor tone feels introspective, perfect for creating meditative or emotional music. The choice between 440 Hz and 432 Hz was confirmed in 2 reviews. If you really feel like healing is your thing, choose 432 Hz. If you ever want to play with other instruments, stick with 440 Hz as this is the international standard. Either you will sound out of tune with your 432 Hz or require the others to retune. “I feel the same relaxation & healing for both types of instruments”. The 2 remaining handpans had no other choices.
More Considerations
Handpans are quite large, measuring about 53 cm in diameter and 30 cm in height, so finding a proper storage spot can be challenging. Keeping it in a bag inside a cabinet might discourage regular use, making it less likely to play. I also wondered, Do I really want to bring another instrument into our home?
Yet, owning a handpan could bring unexpected joys—playing music with friends or simply appreciating its beautiful craftsmanship. Like a piano in a villa, its presence can be as meaningful as its use.
This choice wasn’t about fixing a problem or reaching a specific goal. Instead, it aligned with my broader aim of finding balance in life, something central to my work with Ithaki. A handpan represents relaxation, creativity, and mindfulness. While I often focus on productivity, sometimes the real value lies in nurturing the soul.
Walk the talk
Ultimately, I decided based on advice from a handpan teacher: “I played 5–6 years on a 9-note handpan before moving on.”
This reflects an Agile mindset: start small, learn, and adapt. A 9-tone handpan delivers value—it’s simpler to learn and still offers the relaxation and creativity I sought. If it gathers dust, the loss is limited to €498. But if I love it, I can upgrade in the future, armed with experience.
Agile decisions aren’t about always being right—they’re about being adaptable. By starting with the affordable option, I’ve reduced risk while still opening the door to something meaningful. Let’s do some math. If I would have another similar decision to make, what would be my expected cost?
Perfect decision making | Agile mindset | |
---|---|---|
Handpan | €1400 | €498 + €1400 |
Another instrument | €1400 | €498 |
Total | €2800 | €2396 |
If we assume perfect decision-making—which we often do but rarely achieve—I would spend €2,800 and only play one instrument. With the agile approach, I’d also end up playing just one instrument but avoid buying the expensive second one unnecessarily. Over multiple decisions, even if two out of three are correct, the outcomes balance out for both approaches. Choosing the simpler, cheaper handpan now might cost more initially, but this is offset by smarter decisions in the long run.
In the end, it’s not about making the perfect decision, but about moving forward, learning along the way, and embracing the journey.
As with the handpan, life’s decisions are rarely black and white. Balance practicality with aspiration, and don’t let the fear of imperfection stop you from starting.

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