Handpan Schule des Lebens

A Path to Deep Inner Presence

Here, the art of handpan playing merges with the quest for awareness, stillness, and understanding our spiritual origins.

Handpan in a mystical forest clearing – Unity with All

Our Principles

Structure + Freedom

Clear paths that leave room for your own expression.

Autonomy

You learn not to become dependent, but to grow independently.

Community as Learning Field

Growing together accelerates individual development.

Transformation > Content

It's not about information, but about real change.

Your Paths

Whether first contact or deep journey — there's a path that fits you right now.

Begin

Workshops & Private Lessons

Your first contact with the handpan. Discover the sound, feel the rhythm — completely without pressure.

→ Explore programs

Deepen

Courses & Community

Build a solid foundation. Daily practice, growing together and genuine commitment.

→ Rhythm Foundation

Master

Mentoring & Retreats

Intensive transformation. Find your own expression and speak through the handpan.

→ The Handpan Path

What Awaits You

Not just learning to play — but becoming a musician.

Rhythmic Confidence

Solid groove, clean technique and the freedom to vary in the moment.

Personal Expression

Find your musical voice — compose, improvise, express yourself authentically.

Deep Presence

Learn to be fully in the moment. The handpan becomes a tool for inner stillness.

Community

Grow in dialogue with like-minded people. Practicing together accelerates every path.

Nils with Handpan

Your Guide

Nils

Musician, teacher and founder of Handpan Schule des Lebens. My journey with the handpan has taught me that true mastery lies not in technique — but in rediscovering yourself through sound.

I guide you on your own path — with structure, depth and the conviction that every person has a musical voice that wants to be heard.

→ More about the philosophy

Voices

"I've watched many tutorials, but here I understood for the first time what music truly means."

— Workshop participant

"The combination of structure and freedom helped me find my own sound."

— Community member

Ready for the First Step?

If you are ready to embark on a path that goes beyond technique – if you want not just to play, but to understand.

Explore Programs Start a Conversation

Philosophy

The Art of Seeing Life as a Work of Art

Handpan player by the lake – profile in meditative mood
A conversation between soul and sound.

Beyond Technique

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full
to talk about."

— Rumi

The Handpan Schule des Lebens is not a music school in the traditional sense. It is a space for people who want to understand what music is beyond learning patterns, beyond right and wrong.

It is about the heart of sound. About the art of deep listening. About the touch within expression. Here, music becomes a mirror of the inner landscape – and learning becomes a journey into your true spiritual nature.

A New Way of Learning is Needed

In school, we learn to equate "learning" with imitation and conformity. Yet learning is proven to be play – diversity, curiosity, and creativity.

From play comes experience. From experience develop insight and patterns of action – the link between the inner self and expression.

Perfectionism, comparison, and copying lead away from the freedom-nature of the human being. A shift in thinking is needed in the learning culture, so that technical skills, personality, and spiritual virtues can grow together, to bring forth the genius in every person.

Genius in Humanity Soul Skills Personality

The 3 Pillars of LernArt Pedagogy

Structure

Structural understanding of rhythm, harmony, and composition.

Transformation

Restructuring learning behavior. Developing an artistic attitude.

Research

Encountering the unknown and incorporating the superconscious levels into play.

The Art of Seeing Life as a Work of Art

Only through connection with our higher human – spiritual nature do we receive a Why for life, one that gives us the strength to serve the well-being of all and to transcend our personal life drama.

Only when placed in the service of humanity does art (music) mature into truly touching works that hold the power to guide humanity's course in the direction of its deepest longing.

Thus music becomes a place of inner contemplation. We search for our deepest inner motivations as human beings, to live and to create on this earth. Music becomes a reminder of our promise to ourselves: to bring our full creative potential to earth and to place full trust in the love that we ARE.

The Biggest Mistake Stems from Our Greatest Fear

"In all my years as a teacher, I observe: the militant desire for information – for patterns to be perfectly imitated."

Hardly anyone still knows how to truly learn. How to transform knowledge into experience. Nobody seems to notice that this is about art – the birthplace of creativity.

Individuality needs space. Yet most fear it. The Western mind was shaped in learning systems where imitation and conformity were considered virtues – and much of what sprang from our own will, our freedom-nature, was punished.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant?
But actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

— Marianne Williamson, "A Return To Love"

A New Path

Where fear rules and the freedom of the creative spirit is constrained, a different path emerges here. Find your own sound.

Discover Our Learning Goals

Learning Goals

What You Develop at the School of Life

Not just learning to play – but becoming a musician.

It's not about memorizing patterns. It's about developing a musical personality that is authentic, free, and expressive.

Your Development Goals

Technical Mastery

Develop clean technique, precise timing, and the ability to fully command your instrument – as a tool for your expression, not as an end in itself.

Musical Understanding

Understand rhythm, harmony, and melody not just theoretically, but as a living language. Learn to intuitively grasp musical connections.

Creative Freedom

Overcome the fear of empty space. Develop the ability to improvise and play freely – creating in the moment.

Personal Expression

Find your musical voice. Develop a personal style that reflects your experiences, emotions, and your view of the world.

The Alchemy of Learning

The Dreyfus Model

The model developed by brothers Stuart and Hubert Dreyfus is far more than a simple learning scale; it is a description of human consciousness development in contact with a skill. The central insight: True mastery does not arise from merely accumulating more knowledge or technical perfection, but through a radical qualitative shift in perception.

At the Handpan Schule des Lebens, we view learning the instrument as an alchemical process. While we initially depend on explicit rules and isolated information, we move step by step toward intuitive action. The rules are not forgotten — they become incorporated, so deeply embedded that they become part of our intuition.

This path is inseparably connected with your personal and psychological development:

  • From thinking to feeling: You learn to use the analytical mind where it helps, and to let go where it blocks the flow of music.
  • From separation to unity: The handpan transforms from an object out there into an extension of your own body and emotional expressiveness.
  • From seeking to finding: You develop the ability to enter the state of flow, where time and space dissolve and music flows directly through you.

The following self-assessment model serves as your compass. It helps you understand where you stand, which psychological hurdles are natural at each stage, and how to master the next qualitative leap. It's not about checking off stages, but about savouring and integrating each phase in its depth.

The 5 Stages of Your Handpan Journey

1

The Novice

Novice

Meaning in the Model

At this stage, the learner is context-free. You don't know the environment yet and need strict, objective rules to be able to act at all.

On the Handpan

You learn the physical principles: Where is the bass? How do I produce a clean tone?

Psychological Aspect

It's about trust and humility. You accept that every beginning is small and create a safe foundation.

Self-Check

  • I concentrate heavily on correct finger position, pattern structure, sequence, coordination.
  • I need clear instructions and practice sheets.
  • My goal is simply to produce a clear tone and maintain a steady rhythm.
2

The Advanced Beginner

Advanced Beginner

Meaning in the Model

You begin to recognise situational aspects. Rules are supplemented by initial experiences. You realise that a stroke in situation A must sound different than in situation B.

On the Handpan

You master basic strokes and begin playing simple sequences (patterns). You notice that music consists of repetitions and variations.

Psychological Aspect

Here you train your patience. You learn that discipline at the instrument gives you the freedom you seek.

Self-Check

  • I can hold simple rhythms without constantly thinking about it.
  • I recognise differences in dynamics (loud/soft).
  • I'm beginning to combine small melodies on my own.
3

The Competent

Competent

Meaning in the Model

The abundance of information becomes overwhelming. The learner must now consciously choose which rules to apply. They take responsibility for the results of their actions.

On the Handpan

You make conscious decisions. You think: "Today I want to create a melancholic mood" and choose the corresponding tones.

Psychological Aspect

The stage of personal responsibility. You decide how you want to sound and actively engage with your emotional expression.

Self-Check

  • I can play and vary longer pieces, ideas, and patterns.
  • I understand the structure of a song (intro, main section, ending).
  • I feel confident enough to play in front of other people.
4

The Proficient

Proficient

Meaning in the Model

A quantum leap. The learner no longer analyses laboriously but perceives the situation holistically. Action, however, remains a conscious decision.

On the Handpan

A turning point. You no longer "calculate" your playing but perceive the music as a whole. You instantly sense when a stroke doesn't fit the dynamics or mood.

Psychological Aspect

Resonance. You learn to listen to your inner voice. The instrument becomes a mirror of your soul.

Self-Check

  • I no longer think about individual strokes; I "hear" the song in my head already.
  • I can respond to the energy in the room and adapt my playing.
  • Technique is merely a means to an end for me, no longer the goal.
✦

The Expert

Expert

Meaning in the Model

The expert simply "knows" what to do. They act intuitively from a deep connection with the subject matter. The rules have become second nature and are transcended.

On the Handpan

Human and instrument merge. There is no separation anymore. Playing happens effortlessly and completely in the moment.

Psychological Aspect

Self-actualisation and flow. You are entirely in the here and now. Music has become your language to express the inexpressible.

Self-Check

  • I play intuitively, without any conscious planning, yet at a high level.
  • The instrument feels like an extension of my own body.
  • In my playing I find deep meditation and absolute freedom.
  • I compose pieces that feel perfectly aligned with my soul.

Your Development at a Glance

Stage Focus in the Model Handpan Leitmotif Psychological Anchor
Novice Rigid Rules Technical Foundation Trust
Beginner Context Recognition Pattern & Variation Patience
Competent Conscious Choice Structure & Planning Responsibility
Proficient Holistic Perception Intuition & Feeling Resonance
Expert Intuitive Unity Pure Joy of Playing Flow & Freedom

What You Concretely Take Away

Rhythmic Confidence

Steady groove, clean subdivisions, freedom in transitions and fill-ins.

Harmonic Understanding

Degrees of tension, resolutions, and the ability to consciously choose tonal colors.

Compositional Ability

Creating your own pieces that unite structure, expression, and meaning.

Presence in Playing

The ability to be fully in the moment – whether alone or with others.

Ready for the Path?

Discover the various paths on which you can achieve these goals.

View Programs

Programs

Paths of Deepening

Structure that enables freedom. Every path is designed to lead you to your own expression.

Immersion, Not Consumption

Perhaps you know the feeling: You buy an online course, you're motivated at first... and three weeks later it's gathering dust in your digital archive.

An immersion is not a product you consume.
It is growth that you live.

If you want real change, you must let go of the idea of just "trying something out." True mastery requires complete immersion – like learning a language: not through a course every few weeks, but by moving to the country where it is spoken.

❌ Traditional Online Course

  • You are alone
  • No accountability
  • Motivation fades
  • No feedback
  • Theory stays theory

✓ Our Immersion Programs

  • Growing together
  • Weekly live calls
  • Supportive community
  • Direct feedback
  • Practice becomes routine

The Four Keys to Mastery

Our programs are based on scientifically grounded principles used by the most successful coaches worldwide:

Modeling

Learning from Masters

"You can compress years into days by having the right mentor."

Instead of stumbling through years of trial and error, you learn directly from someone who has already walked the path. In our programs you learn not only from me, but also from the successes and challenges of your fellow students.

Total Immersion

Complete Immersion

"Not one hour per week for 50 weeks – but daily engagement over a defined period."

Total Immersion goes beyond superficial engagement. Your brain rewires itself when you fully immerse. Neuroplasticity accelerates when there are no other distractions.

Spaced Repetition

Repetition in Rhythm

"Constant, rhythmic repetition conditions mind and body for sustainable success."

The effectiveness is supported by cognitive psychology research: The brain benefits from repeated exposure with rest periods in between. Daily exercises (10–15 min) maximize long-term retention.

Community & Accountability

Community & Accountability

"Isolation is the killer of transformation – community is the catalyst."

You learn not only from the teacher, but also from each other. A coach holds you to a standard, measures your progress, and guides you in a way that makes sense for your needs. Even the best have coaches.

Scientifically proven:

Regular training increases productivity by 22%.
Training + personal coaching increases it by 88%.

Olivero, G.; Bane, K. D.; Kopelman, R. E.: Executive Coaching as a Transfer of Training Tool. In: Public Personnel Management, 26(4), 1997, pp. 461–469.

Our Programs

2 Hours • Live

Beginner Courses

Get to know the handpan in 2 hours. Basic posture, first grooves and orientation – no pressure, no prior knowledge needed.

For: Novice

→ Learn more

6 Weeks • Hybrid

Rhythm Foundation

The foundational course that not only imparts knowledge, but shows you how to apply it. Rhythm as foundation: pulse, subdivisions, hand patterns, structure.

For: Novice to Competent

→ Learn more

6 Months • Hybrid

The Handpan Path

The transformative journey. 18 topics × 2 sessions = 36 intensive units. Musical and spiritual transformation: your own style, presence, deep practice.

For: Competent to Proficient

→ Learn more

3–4 Days • Live

Retreats

Immersion in nature. Deep practice, breakthroughs, presence. A space for stillness, transformation, and making music together.

For: Competent to Expert

→ Learn more

90–120 Min • 1:1 Online and On-Site

Mentoring

Individual guidance for your personal musical development. Resolve personal blockages and achieve breakthroughs.

Price: 149 €

→ Learn more

60 Min • 1:1 On-Site

Private Lessons

Personal handpan lessons in Munich-Neuhausen. Individually tailored to your level and your goals.

For: All Levels

→ Learn more

The Path to Mastery

Every journey begins with a single step. Our programs build on each other — like the stages of a hero's journey.

1

The Call

You Feel the Pull

Something inside you responds to the sound. No prior knowledge needed — just the curiosity to open yourself to it. The spark ignites.

Beginner Courses Private Lessons
2

The Threshold

You Say Yes

You commit to daily practice and real engagement. The foundation is built — confidence in playing, freedom in expression.

Rhythm Foundation Community Private Lessons
3

The Fellowship

You Take Ownership

You become part of the community, begin to take full responsibility for your personal growth, and dive deeper into your soul and your playing.

Community
4

The Ordeal

You Dive Deep

Intensive transformation. You move through rhythm, melody, and expression — and encounter yourself. In retreats, breakthroughs happen that would take years in daily life.

The Handpan Path Retreats
✦

Mastery

You Speak Through the Handpan

You no longer play the handpan — you speak through it. Your own expression, passing it on to others. The circle closes.

Mentoring Retreats Community
🧭

Find Your Path

Which program is right for you? Find out in 4 quick questions.

"True transformation doesn't happen through information. It happens through immersion. Through diving in together. Through the accountability of a group. Through daily practice that becomes second nature."

Common Objections

10–15 minutes daily – that's the recommended practice time. And if your day is completely full: There are mini 5-minute exercises. Everyone can find 5 minutes.

The exercises can be transferred to different objects – so your training can continue on the go, wherever you are and without a handpan.

Every call is recorded. Many participants find the recordings just as valuable – they make it their own ritual.

No. Instruments are available for lessons and beginner courses. If you're looking for your own, we'll help you find your way. More info →

Which Path is Right for You?

Let's discover together how you can best learn and grow.

Schedule a Conversation

The Community

Your Protected Space for Growth

The Online School is more than a platform – it is a vibrant community of handpan players who grow together.

Free to access. Personally led by Nils Böhm.

The Skool Community

Everything you need to get started and grow

📚 Online Courses (Self-Study)

  • Build rhythm foundation
  • Music theory for handpan
  • Develop playing practice
  • Composition & own pieces

👥 Community Features

  • Exchange with like-minded people
  • Feedback on your recordings
  • Find players near you
  • Protected space for personal processes

Regular Live Events

Q&A Call

Monthly

Your questions about handpan playing are answered directly by Nils. No topic is too small, no question too simple.

Rhythm Gym

Monthly

Group rhythm training together. This is where you practice, experiment, and grow together.

Why Online? The Surprising Advantage

Contrary to many expectations: Online is optimal.

The Space Problem with In-Person Events

In live workshops, we often struggle with acoustic interference, space issues, and distractions. The handpan is a quiet, intimate instrument – that doesn't pair well with crowded rooms.

The Solution: Everyone in Their Own Space

No Distractions

You practice in your familiar space, without acoustic overlap.

Deep Processes

Personal transformation requires safety and intimacy.

Full Concentration

Without distractions from others, you can fully engage with yourself.

Connection Despite Distance

Through targeted questions and structured exchange formats, genuine connections also emerge online. The community is vibrant and valuable – many members later meet offline as well.

The Home of All Programs

All hybrid programs of the Handpan Schule have their online connection in the Skool Community.

The Handpan Path — Live sessions and exchange

Rhythm Foundation — Course area and group calls

Retreat Follow-Up — Integration and staying connected

No matter which path you choose – the community is your anchor.

📚 Course Library

Structured online courses on rhythm, theory, playing practice, and composition. Learn at your own pace, available anytime.

🎯 Feedback Space

Share your recordings and receive constructive feedback from Nils and the community. Grow through honest feedback.

📍 Local Networking

Find handpan players near you. Organize meetups, practice together, build real connections.

🎙️ Live Events

Monthly Q&A Call and Rhythm Gym. Regular contact, direct answers, practicing together.

“The community doesn't run itself – I am personally present, answer questions, give feedback, and ensure that this space remains protected and valuable."

— Nils Böhm

Join for Free

Become part of the community. No risk, no obligation – just the opportunity to grow.

Join Skool Community Questions? Contact

Join Us

The First Step

If you have questions or are ready to begin your path – write to me. I respond personally.

Email

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WhatsApp

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Location

Munich and online

Your Entry Point

Start for Free

Community

Join the community and meet like-minded people. Exchange ideas, ask questions, grow through dialogue.

Rhythm Foundation

179 € • 6 Weeks

The ideal starting point for anyone who wants to build a solid rhythmic foundation. Next start: April 17, 2026.

Schedule a Conversation

Personal

Not sure which path suits you? Write to me and we'll find out together how you can best learn.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The programs are designed to meet you where you are. Whether you've never touched a handpan or have been playing for years – there is a path that suits you.

This is not about copying patterns. It's about real musical development – about understanding, not just ability. The philosophy connects technique with awareness, structure with freedom.

For Rhythm Foundation, it's 10–15 minutes of daily practice plus a weekly call. For The Handpan Path, it varies by phase. The most important thing is consistency, not duration.

Yes. Nils teaches in Munich. 1:1 mentoring sessions can take place online or in person. There are also regular retreats at special locations.

Rhythm Foundation: 179 €
1:1 Mentoring Session: 149 €
The Handpan Path and Retreats: Prices on request
Community access: Included as a bonus with courses, otherwise monthly cancellable

Our Principles

Structure + Freedom

Clear paths that leave room for your own expression.

Autonomy

You learn not to become dependent, but to grow independently.

Community as Learning Field

Growing together accelerates individual development.

Transformation > Content

It's not about information, but about real change.

"Music as a path to deep inner presence and awareness of our spiritual origins."

— The Mission of the Handpan Schule des Lebens

Legal Notice

This is a legally required document under German law and is provided in German.

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Stand: Februar 2026

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The Handpan Path

The transformative journey to your own sound

Duration 6 Months
Format Hybrid (Online + Live)
Scope 36 Sessions
Level Competent to Proficient

The Handpan Path is not an ordinary course – it is a journey. 18 topics, each explored in depth over two sessions. You develop your own style, your own voice on the handpan.

What Awaits You

Weekly Live Calls: Practice together, receive feedback, and exchange ideas in the group.

Daily Practice: Structured exercises (10–15 min) that become part of your routine.

18 Topic Blocks: From rhythm and melody to composition and performance.

Community Access: Connect with like-minded players and have a direct line to Nils.

Who is The Handpan Path for?

You already play handpan and have mastered the basics. You want more than just reproducing patterns – you want to find your own musical expression. You are ready to commit to an intensive 6-month journey.

"At the end of the Path, you no longer play the handpan. You speak through it."

Ready for the Journey?

The next Handpan Path starts soon. Secure your spot.

Schedule a Conversation
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Rhythm Foundation

The foundation on which everything is built

Duration 6 Weeks
Format Hybrid (Online + Live)
Price 179 €
Level Novice to Competent

The foundational course that doesn't just teach knowledge, but shows you how to apply it. In 6 weeks, you lay the rhythmic foundation for everything that follows.

What You Will Learn

Pulse & Timing: Finding and maintaining the inner pulse – the basis of all music.

Subdivisions: Understanding and feeling rhythmic subdivisions.

Hand Technique: Technical fundamentals for both hands – efficient and ergonomic.

Structure: Developing your own exercises and variations.

Who is the Rhythm Foundation for?

You are new to the handpan or have been playing for a while but notice that you lack the rhythmic fundamentals. Perhaps you always play the same patterns and want to understand why some rhythms groove and others don't.

Result: Your own exercises & variations, a stable groove, and the confidence to play freely.

Lay Your Foundation

The next course starts soon. Sign up now.

Schedule a Conversation
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Retreats

Immerse. Let go. Break through.

Duration 3–4 Days
Format Live / In-Person
Location Natural Setting
Level Competent to Expert

A retreat is more than a workshop. It is a space where you can let go of everything – daily life, habits, expectations – and fully surrender to the music and the silence.

What Awaits You

Intensive Practice: Several hours daily in a protected setting.

Nature & Silence: Step away from everyday life and into a connection with yourself.

Community: Deep encounters with like-minded people.

Breakthroughs: In the intensity of a retreat, things happen that would take years in everyday life.

"In the silence of nature, you hear the music that has always been within you."

Next Retreat

Dates will be announced in due time. Sign up to stay informed.

Express Interest
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Mentoring

Become the expression of your innermost being in the world

Portrait with handpan – Nils Böhm as mentor
Duration 90–120 Min
Format 1:1 Online or On-Site
Investment 149 €
Level All Levels

Mentoring is the development of a personal vision for your own playing – your expression, your character, the quality of what you bring into the world through your music.

The Two Pillars of Mentoring

Introspective Quality

Self-exploration: Who are you really? What moves you when you play? In mentoring, we begin where most people stop – with an honest encounter with yourself.

Expression and Self-Confidence

Coming into full expression. Understanding which inner parts still hold you back – and showing what you truly are. Not playing louder, but more authentically.

"The quality of your expression is the experience you transmit into the world through your own work."

What Emerges in Mentoring

Consciousness Structures: New inner orders that transform your playing from within – not through rules, but through clarity.

Rituals and Exercises in Expression: Practices that go beyond the technical and connect you with your core.

Personal Presence: Mindset work that fundamentally changes the way you play, perform, and present yourself.

Fully Clearing the Inner Channel: Everything standing between you and your authentic expression becomes visible – and is allowed to go.

The Mentoring Process

Arriving

We begin with an open conversation. Where do you stand? What occupies you? What do you want to change in your playing – and why?

Looking Deeper

Together we look at what lies beneath the surface. Which inner patterns influence your playing? What holds you back?

Working

90–120 minutes of intensive work on your topic – with exercises that connect awareness and expression.

Integrating

You leave with concrete structures, rituals, and a clear inner vision for your continued path.

Who is Mentoring For?

Mentoring is for you if you sense that it is about more than technique.

You know this feeling

  • You play technically well, but it doesn't move you
  • Something inside holds you back
  • You don't know who you are as a musician
  • You lack a personal vision
  • You are searching for your own expression

Where this path leads

  • Your playing becomes a mirror of your innermost being
  • You play with full presence and clarity
  • You know who you are – and you show it
  • Your expression has depth and character
  • You are the expression of your innermost being in the world

Your Next Step

In a short preliminary conversation, we find out where you stand and whether mentoring is the right framework for you. Online via video call or on-site in Munich.

Schedule a Conversation Ask Questions
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Private Lessons

Learn handpan – personal and individual

Hands on the handpan – black and white playing scene
Duration 30 / 60 / 90 Min
Format 1:1 · 1:2 · 1:3
Location Munich or Online
Level All Levels

The classic way to learn handpan: personal, direct, and fully tailored to you. In private lessons, we work on exactly what you need right now.

What Awaits You

Individual Structure: No fixed curricula – your lesson adapts to you.

Direct Feedback: Immediate corrections and tips for your playing technique.

All Levels: From the first note to advanced composition.

Handpan Available: You don't need to bring your own handpan.

Price Calculator

Configure your lesson and see the price instantly.

1 Session
Price per session: 60 €
60 €
1× 60 Min · 1:1 · Munich-Neuhausen · Novice
💬 Inquire via WhatsApp ✉️ Inquire via Email 📅 Book Online

All prices per person · No contract commitment

Location & Directions

Lessons take place in Munich-Neuhausen (Address loading…). Easily accessible by public transport and car.

Book an Appointment

Choose an available time slot directly or contact me personally.

💬 Message on WhatsApp ✉️ Send Email

About Us

The people behind the music

Nils Böhm – Founder of Handpan Schule des Lebens

Behind the Handpan Schule des Lebens are experienced musicians and percussionists who share their passion for the handpan and teaching.

Founder & Lead Teacher

Nils Böhm

Experienced percussionist, handpan player, and founder of Handpan Schule des Lebens. Nils combines musical depth with spiritual practice and guides his students on the path to their own expression.

Focus Areas: Handpan Path, Mentoring, Private Lessons, Retreats, Rhythm Foundation

→ More about Nils

Teacher & Systemic Coach

Peter Aumüller

A drummer and percussionist for over 25 years. Peter combines his work on the handpan with systemic coaching approaches and helps people use the instrument to navigate difficult life situations.

Focus Areas: Rhythm, Systemic Coaching, Percussion

→ More about Peter

"We believe: Every person has their own sound. Our task is to help you find it."

Nils Böhm

Handpan Schule des Lebens was founded by Nils Böhm – musician, percussionist, and teacher with the deep conviction that music and inner growth are inseparably connected.

Philosophy

Nils' approach to music is deeply rooted in the conviction that creativity and spiritual practice are interwoven. He sees art not only as a means of expression, but as a path to connect with something greater than oneself.

"Experience the depth of your soul – through sound, through rhythm, through connection."

His work has a contemplative, introspective quality that invites the listener on a journey inward. It is not about reproducing patterns – but about finding your own voice and experiencing the handpan as a mirror of the soul.

The Path

As an experienced percussionist and handpan player, Nils has shared his knowledge in countless workshops, private lessons, and live sessions – both in Munich and online. Together with Peter Aumüller and other musicians, he forms the teaching team of Handpan Schule des Lebens.

Furthermore, Nils brings a unique perspective: Through 1.5 years of intensive work in the handpan ecosystem at the largest dealer in the DACH region, he has held many hundreds of instruments in his hands, studied building processes, and developed a deep understanding of makers, quality characteristics, and choosing the right instrument. This experience flows directly into his instrument selection advice.

One of his main concerns is helping others develop their own style and their own voice. He is convinced that every person has something valuable to offer – and that by tapping into one's own inner source of creativity, truly original and meaningful music can emerge.

The Vision: Handpan Schule des Lebens

At Handpan Schule des Lebens, Nils views learning the handpan as an alchemical process. It is about far more than technique: From thinking to feeling, you learn to use the analytical mind where it helps – and to let it go where it hinders the flow of music.

The handpan transforms from an object "out there" into an extension of your own body and emotional capacity for expression.

Nils guides his students not only in climbing the steps technically, but in experiencing them as a personal maturation process – step by step, toward an intuitive, free playing.

Peter Aumüller

Experience 25+ Years
Instruments Drums, Percussion, Handpan
Focus Rhythm
Approach Systemic Coaching

Peter Aumüller has been a drummer and percussionist for over 25 years. In his work at Handpan Schule des Lebens, he combines his deep rhythmic experience with systemic coaching approaches – a unique combination that goes far beyond the purely musical.

Music as a Path Through Difficult Times

Peter helps people navigate difficult life situations through the instrument. His systemic coaching approach makes it possible to understand rhythm not only as a musical element, but as a tool for personal transformation.

"Rhythm is the foundation of all life. Whoever finds their rhythm also finds their way."

Focus Areas

Rhythm & Percussion: Over 25 years of experience as a drummer and percussionist – a deep understanding of rhythm in all its facets.

Systemic Coaching: Trained systemic coach with expertise in organizational development, transformation, and personal growth.

Handpan as Life Companion: The handpan becomes a tool to release inner blockages, find clarity, and develop new perspectives.

Who is Peter's Approach For?

Peter's work is aimed at people who are looking for more than just music lessons. If you are in a challenging phase of life, want to reorient yourself, or simply seek a deeper connection with yourself – Peter's combination of rhythm and systemic coaching can open new paths for you.

Learn more about Peter's work on his website: www.peteraumueller.de

Schedule a Conversation

In a personal conversation, we will find out together which path is right for you.

Schedule a Conversation

Join the Team?
Are you a handpan player and would like to contribute as a teacher? Get in Touch

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Beginner Courses

2 Hours – Get to know the handpan, feel your first confidence

Duration 2 Hours
Format Small Group
Location Munich
Level Novice

A clear, beautiful introduction without pressure. You learn the basics, get orientation – and go home with your first playable flow. No prior knowledge needed.

What You Will Learn

Posture & Stroke

How to hold the handpan correctly and produce the most beautiful sounds with a clean stroke.

Pulse & First Subdivisions

Finding the inner pulse and feeling simple rhythmic structures – the foundation of all music.

First Grooves

1–2 grooves that feel good and that you can immediately continue practicing at home.

Mini Practice Structure

A simple practice routine for home, so you can continue independently after the course.

Instrument

You don't need to bring your own handpan – instruments are provided for the course. If you are looking for your own instrument afterwards, we will help you find your way.

→ More about rental, guidance, and purchase

The Framework

Duration & Location

2 Hours · Munich-Neuhausen
{ADDRESS / EXACT LOCATION}

Frequency

{MONTHLY / ON DEMAND}
Next Date: {DATE}

Participants

Max. {NUMBER} Participants
for personal guidance

Price

{PRICE} €
incl. instrument rental

Your Start

Try the handpan in a protected setting – no obligation, no pressure.

Secure Your Spot Schedule a Conversation

Instruments

Rental, guidance, purchase – without pressure

Handpan macro shot – tone field detail

Why Quality Matters

The quality of a handpan influences far more than just the sound. It influences your entire playing behavior – and it is not only about technique, but above all about your inner state while playing.

After hundreds of hours of playing time and testing numerous handpans from a wide variety of makers, I can tell you: A truly well-built handpan draws you into its world. The sound touches something deep – almost as if you gain access to hidden spaces of your soul. That is exactly where your true playing begins.

High-quality instruments give energy back – through their beauty, their harmony, their coherent overtone structure. Cheap instruments, on the other hand, exhaust you over time: not physically, but mentally and emotionally. The sound gives you hardly anything back, no matter how deeply you listen.

Sound as Architecture of the Soul

Imagine the inner dome of an artfully designed cathedral. Everything is perfectly coordinated, every detail thought through. Just entering, you feel awe, wonder – and perhaps even a sense of the divine. That is how playing an excellently built handpan feels.

An inferior handpan, on the other hand, feels like a hastily assembled building without clear structure. The tonal lines don't meet, the harmonic arcs collapse upon themselves. You can sense: Love, experience, and care are missing here.

"Returning to the source of our naturalness – we can do this with an instrument that was built with love and mindfulness."

What do you want to connect with? Choosing the right handpan is a step that will shape your musical experience for years to come. Take your time – and get good advice.

How to Recognize True Quality

Almost every handpan sounds magical at the first note. But true quality does not reveal itself in the first moment – but in the connection you build with it over time.

Tuning Stability

How stable does the tuning remain over weeks and months? High-quality instruments stay in tune – mass-produced ones quickly lose clarity.

Tonal Balance

How balanced is the sound between the tone fields? Every note should respond equally and fit harmoniously into the overall picture.

Emotional Depth

How finely can the instrument be played emotionally? A good handpan responds to the subtlest nuances of your stroke and your intention.

What Makes a Good Maker

A high-quality handpan is like a work of art -- it is not produced at the push of a button but through a process of empathy, listening, retuning, and patience. An experienced maker allows the instrument to mature, listens to it again and again, and adjusts tiny nuances until the sound becomes round, clear, and alive.

Metallurgical knowledge, tuning experience, and a deep love of detail -- this combination makes the difference. Such knowledge lives on through direct exchange. The best handpans are created in small workshops with heart -- not in factories driven by profit.

Through 1.5 years of work at the largest handpan dealer in the German-speaking world, I know numerous makers personally, have visited their workshops, and gained deep insights into the building process. This knowledge flows directly into my consulting.

Three Paths to Your Instrument

🎵 Loan

For beginner courses and the starting phase: Handpans are available during lessons. This way you can get to know the instrument before deciding to purchase one.

🧭 Guidance

Which tuning suits you? Which layout? Which maker? Nils has held many hundreds of instruments and advises you personally -- based on your playing style, preferences, and goals.

🏆 Purchase

When you are ready: Through Grail Instruments you will find hand-selected handpans of the highest quality -- curated, not mass-produced. An exclusive gateway to the finest instruments.

Grail Instruments

Grail Instruments is a curatorial portal for exquisite handpans -- not a conventional shop, but an exclusive gateway to hand-selected instruments of the highest quality.

Two paths are open to you: Through the mailing list, you sign up and receive curated offers you can act on. Or you book a personal consultation, where playing style, preferences, and tonal wishes are explored to find the perfectly matching instrument and the right maker.

Visit Grail Instruments →

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Instruments are available for lessons and beginner courses. Take all the time you need.

That depends on your goals and playing style. Tunings like Kurd or Celtic Minor are popular among beginners, but the "best" tuning is the one that suits you. In a conversation, we will figure that out together.

Yes. Nils advises you personally -- based on his experience with many hundreds of instruments from various makers. Simply schedule a conversation.

Cheap handpans -- often from Asian mass production -- can mentally and emotionally exhaust you over time. You have to strain to connect with the sound, but it gives you hardly anything back. With a high-quality handpan, it is the opposite: It draws you in, gives you energy, and opens up musical depth that accompanies you for years.

The online market is full of offers under 1,500 euros that appear high-quality and carry European-sounding names. However, many come from industrial mass production, are imported and given a label. In depth of sound and longevity, they cannot compete. Without experience, the subtle quality differences are hard to hear -- which is why professional advice is worthwhile.

Yes. Just as a musician feels deeply into the music while playing, the presence with which an instrument was built is reflected in its sound. The more consciously and devotedly the building process, the more soulful the instrument becomes. Then the handpan becomes more than a sound body -- it becomes a companion and a mirror of your inner world.

Consulting & Guidance

Not sure which instrument is right for you? Let us find out together what makes sense for you.

Schedule a Conversation Join the Community for Free
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