Handpan Voices

About Handpan Voices

Handpan Voices is a podcast dedicated to exploring the vibrant stories and experiences of handpan players from all around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting out, these inspiring conversations celebrate the power of music, community, and creativity. From beginners to renowned artists, Handpan Voices shines a light on the unique journeys of those who have fallen in love with the handpan, sharing tips, insights, and heartfelt moments. Join us as we discover the voices behind the music.

Publisher

Phil Begnett

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Dec 2024

Latest episode

12 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

25 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Jul 2026

   PanParadise: Handpan Event Spotlight

   In this episode of Handpan Voices, I’m joined by Hannah from PanParadise, a six-day handpan event in Germany that brings together players, teachers, artists, workshops, concerts, food, community, and space to properly connect.Hannah shares how she first discovered the handpan through Wild Naya and how the instrument helped her reconnect with music in a very personal way. We talk about why the handpan can feel so welcoming for beginners, the emotional side of playing, and how sound, movement, yoga, rhythm, singing, and community all come together at PanParadise.This conversation explores what makes PanParadise different from a typical festival. Hannah talks about the accommodation, vegetarian food, alcohol-free environment, daily handpan lessons, guided jam sessions, evening concerts, one-to-one lessons, raffles, and the international community that travels to be part of the event.We also talk about the wider programme beyond the handpan, including yoga, breathwork, sound baths, movement, circle singing, indigenous flutes, songwriting, TaKeTiNa, and other workshops designed to give people a fuller creative and personal experience during the week.There is also a strong focus on creating a safe and welcoming space, supporting female handpan artists and teachers, and giving players of all levels the chance to learn from a wide range of approaches.Whether you are new to the handpan, already deep into your playing, or simply curious about what a handpan event like PanParadise feels like, this episode gives a warm insight into the people, atmosphere, and intention behind it.Find out more about PanParadise:https://www.panparadise.de/#handpan #panparadise #handpanvoices #handpanevent #handpancommunity #handpanmusic

2. 

   5 Jul 2026

   Alexander Mercks: The Ordinary Epic and the Flow of Creativity

   In this episode of Handpan Voices, I’m joined by Alexander Mercks — handpan player, musician, teacher and creator of Handpan Pal.Our conversation centres around Alex’s new album, The Ordinary Epic, a deeply personal and cinematic project shaped with handpan, piano, strings, voice, electronics and percussion.Alex talks openly about the process of creating the album, how it differs from his earlier improvised work, and why this music feels like a more honest reflection of what he wants to create now. We talk about composition, improvisation, sadness, emotional connection, and the long process of shaping simple musical ideas into finished pieces.We also explore Handpan Pal, Alex’s play-along learning platform designed to help handpan players move beyond patterns, understand chords more clearly, and find more flow in their playing.This is a conversation about music, creativity, feeling stuck, finding your own voice, and the strange journey from improvising alone with a handpan to building something much bigger.#Handpan #HandpanVoices #AlexanderMercks Find Alexander Mercks:The Ordinary Epic:https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/alexandermercks/the-ordinary-epicHandpan Pal:https://www.handpanpal.com/Alexander’s website:https://alexander-mercks.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@UC4P-5N6FH52w54_W8s8Nhsg Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/alexander.mercks/Handpan Voices is a podcast sharing conversations with players, makers, teachers and organisers from across the handpan world.Hosted by Phil Begnett.

3. 

   7 Jun 2026

   Peter Wallace: Handpan, Healing and Stepping Into the Light

   In this episode of Handpan Voices, I’m joined by Peter Wallace, also known as The Simple Scotsman, for a wide-ranging conversation about handpan, sound healing, community, creativity, and stepping into the light as a musician.Peter shares his journey from piano, bass, guitar, didgeridoo and percussion into the world of handpan, including the moment he first discovered the instrument through Daniel Waples. We talk about what it means to stop trying too hard, play with more space, and allow the handpan to breathe.A major part of this conversation explores Peter’s work with sound healing. He explains how different handpan scales can shape a session, why he thinks of a sound bath almost like a full-course meal, and how the instrument can be used to calm, ground and support people in different environments.We also talk about the personal side of playing: self-doubt, failure, vulnerability, open mics, community, and the importance of being gentle with yourself as you grow. Peter shares how asking the question “how can I serve?” changed the way he approached music, performance and opportunities.Later in the episode, we discuss the Neotone, digital handpans, recording, live setups, teaching, and how technology can help players explore more scales and ideas. Peter also talks about building the Kentucky / Cincinnati handpan community, organising local gatherings, and his upcoming Celtic-inspired album Highlander.A thoughtful and generous conversation about handpan as an instrument, a healing tool, and a way of connecting with others.Topics include:Peter’s musical background before handpanDiscovering the handpan through Daniel WaplesLearning to slow down and play with spaceHandpan and sound healingChoosing scales for sound bathsPlaying background music and open micsStepping into the light as a musicianFailure, patience and being gentle with yourselfNeotone, digital handpans and recording ideasBuilding the Kentucky handpan communityPeter’s Celtic-inspired album HighlanderGuest links:Peter Wallace / The Simple ScotsmanWebsite: https://www.assurancesessions.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplescotsman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssuranceSessionsBandcamp / Highlander album: https://assurancesessions.bandcamp.com/album/highlanderHandpan Voices is a podcast exploring the people, stories and culture around the handpan world.#Handpan #HandpanVoices #SoundHealing #PeterWallace #TheSimpleScotsman #Neotone #HandpanMusic #HandpanPodcast

Who has been a guest on Handpan Voices

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Werner Kriebaum
• James Hunter Crossley
• Julia (ChangeOfColours)
• Kabecao
• Konstantin Rossler

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

80,571

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

75

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

32

Contact Handpan Voices

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.