What’s the difference between purchasing an individual course and signing up for a Planet Handpan Premium membership?

When you purchase an individual course, you'll have lifetime access to that specific course. With a Planet Handpan Premium membership, you'll gain access to the entire catalog, including the Learning Lab, Rhythm Vault, and Groove Engine, for a monthly or annual fee. If you cancel your subscription, you will lose access to all content.

Does the purchase of a Learning Lab course include access to the corresponding Rhythm Vault and Groove Engine pack?

No, the Rhythm Vault and Groove Engine packs are sold separately. However, if you subscribe to a Premium plan, you will have full access to all Planet Handpan content.

Does my handpan need to be in a specific key?

No, the material is designed to work with any key or design of handpan. All exercises, grooves, and songs are pattern-based rather than pitch-specific, and you can use the transpose function in the Groove Engine to match your instrument.

Are your courses suitable for all skill levels?

Yes, the courses are designed for all skill levels, including beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. There is a wide range of content to support different learning needs.

What do I get when I enroll in a course?

When you purchase a course, you receive lifetime access to all course videos and a downloadable guidebook containing notation for the content.

What do I get with a Planet Handpan membership?

With a membership, you get access to all courses, future releases, all Rhythm Vault packs, the complete Groove Engine library, and the Basecamp community.

What if I’m not satisfied with a course?

If you are not satisfied with a course, you can request a full refund within 5 days of purchase by emailing support@planethandpan.com. No questions will be asked.

How to Find the Best Affordable Handpan for Learning

Mark D'Ambrosio
May 9
4 min read

If you’ve just started your Google search deep dive for the “best affordable handpan”, you’ve probably noticed the price tags can be a bit of a shock. It’s a common dilemma, you don’t want to blow a giant amount of money on something you might not even like yet, but you also don't want to get stuck with a total piece of junk.

The goal is to find that middle ground, an instrument that is reasonably priced but high-quality enough to actually make learning an enjoyable experience. Here are five tips to help you find the best affordable handpan without wasting your money.

1. Don’t Break the Bank (But Avoid the Junk)

I get it, you don’t know if you’re going to be the next handpan virtuoso or if the instrument will just end up as a weird conversation piece in your living room. It’s totally reasonable to keep things affordable, but you don't want to buy some cheap knockoff from a generic big-box site. Those instruments usually sound terrible, which makes learning an awful experience. Plus, they have almost zero resale value, so that money spent is basically gone for good!

Instead, you’ll want to look for a dedicated entry-level instrument. We specifically designed the Sarana D Kurd 8 to be the best affordable handpan for this exact reason. It’s only about $1,000, which is crazy value for this level of quality, and it comes with a free case. At Planet Handpan we even offer monthly payment plans through Affirm and a two-week money-back guarantee to make it even easier to get started. You can always send it back, no questions asked, if you decide the handpan isn't for you.

2. Pick a "Learning-Friendly" Scale

I’ve written a lot about scales before and my main advice is always to pick the scale you like the sound of most. However, if your goal is learning and practising, the D Kurd scale handpan is probably the way to go.

Because D Kurd is the most common scale in the handpan world, the vast majority of tutorial videos and lessons, including most of the Planet Handpan Academy, are taught in that key. This makes it much easier to follow along 1-to-1. If you do go with a handpan in a different key, you can always use the Groove Engine to transpose the material from the Planet Handpan Academy or to just jam along with loops that fit your scale perfectly.

3. Be Careful About Used Handpans

Finding a used handpan can be a totally valid way to save a few bucks and sometimes you can find something local to avoid shipping costs. However, when comparing a used vs new handpan, as a new player, you have to be extra careful.

When you buy used, you’re stuck with whatever scale the seller happens to have. More importantly, there’s no guarantee the pan is still in tune or hasn't been damaged. For someone new to the instrument, it can be really hard to tell if a pan is slightly "off" until you’ve already bought it. Often, by the time you pay for a professional retune and shipping, you haven't actually saved much over just buying a new, warrantied handpan.

4. Ask the Handpan Community for Recommendations

Don’t try to figure this all out in a vacuum. There are plenty of great groups on Facebook and Reddit where you can ask about the quality of a specific builder or get advice on a pan you’re considering. People in the handpan community are generally very happy to help.

If you want a more direct way to hear a pan and ask questions, I recommend booking a Virtual Visit with us. We can hop on a video call, play some pans for you and we can talk through exactly what you’re looking for in your first instrument.

5. Go to a Handpan Gathering

If you really want to dive in, go to a handpan gathering like Steel Mountain. It is hands-down the best way to learn, make new friends and hear a bunch of different instruments in person. Most of the time, you can even buy an instrument right there on the spot after you've had a chance to play it and see if it feels right!

Finding the best affordable handpan for beginners is the first real step in starting your handpan journey. You set yourself up for long-term enjoyment instead of frustration when you focus on the balance between quality, affordability, and ease of learning.

At the heart of it, playing the handpan is not just about buying an instrument, it's about learning, creating & growing with it. That’s exactly the philosophy behind Planet Handpan, where resources like the Learning Lab, Groove Engine and Rhythm Vault are designed to help players of all levels develop their skills and stay inspired throughout their journey.

FAQs:

How long does it take to learn handpan?

Typically, beginners can start making nice sounds within a just few days. It usually takes a few months of consistent practice to develop your touch and rhythm skills.

Is the handpan hard to learn for beginners?

The handpan is considered beginner-friendly compared to many instruments because there are, in a way, "no wrong notes" on the handpan. However, developing rhythm, timing, and musicality still takes regular practice.

Can I learn handpan without musical experience?

Yes! Many beginners start with no musical background at all. The layout of the handpan makes it intuitive, especially with a beginner-friendly scales like D Kurd.

Do handpans go out of tune?

Yes. Both gradually over time or with improper handling. High-quality handpans hold their tuning well, but cheap or poorly made instruments can go out of tune much quicker.

What is the best handpan scale for beginners?

The D Kurd scale is one of the most popular beginner choices because it is commonly used in tutorials, and platforms like the Planet Handpan Academy.