We have reached a point where we encounter AI (artificial intelligence) on a daily basis, whether we realize it or not. AI is influencing more and more areas of our lives and, in some areas, even taking control. Whatever your opinion on the subject, there is no escaping its influence.
In my professional life, I have had to deal with this new, fascinating, and at the same time frightening technology very intensively. I see enormous progress in areas that make perfect sense. For example, we carry out AI-supported projects to protect trees. Without the power of AI, it would not be possible to collect the necessary data or to monitor the trees in real time in order to then use the findings to ensure intelligent and economical irrigation (For those interested in such projects, here is a link to learn more: “The trees of Krakow”).
But i also see developments that need to be seriously questioned and discussed by the general public. Otherwise, we as a society run the risk of losing control over areas that are essential. For us as a society, but also for us as individuals.
The area I would now like to highlight is the field of art and music – and how AI is becoming increasingly widespread and influential in the field of handpan welding:
Influencers are taking control of many developments. Their methods and tools for gaining more followers, clicks, and sales are becoming increasingly sophisticated and, with the help of AI, increasingly professional and skillful. It no longer takes much effort to produce content that attracts attention. AI offers tools for everyone that can do all of this in no time at all.
Here is an example that I created myself in about 15 minutes. If I had taken a little more time, the video would have been of a quality that would have been very difficult or impossible to distinguish from a professional, real music video. And all this without creativity, but with a purely technical approach.
So when you ask yourself whether AI is also influencing and changing the world of handpans, the answer is a resounding YES. Not only is ‘Handpan Content’ on social media changing with the support of AI tools, but AI is also making a big impact in the booming handpan business. By this I mean, for example, the automated and industrialized production of Handpans, where AI plays a significant role and makes production increasingly cheaper. I am also referring to the clever use of AI to market and sell these mass-produced Handpans. AI analysis of access to (handpan) advertising content and online shops massively improves marketing and leads to even higher revenues.
Well, why not, you might say. However, it is also a fact that AI is often misused to formulate advertising texts in such a way that they attract customers most effectively and have no problem deceiving them. An industrially mass-produced handpan quickly becomes a “handpan lovingly handcrafted as a work of art, which will also heal you and the whole world.” The main thing is that the sales figures are right.
I have access to many AI models and I use them. As carefully and concentratedly as possible. Because it’s true that when AI doesn’t have an answer to a question you ask it, it tends to just start fantasizing. It will rarely admit that it doesn’t know the answer. Because then you would probably switch to another chat bot. As I said, AI is many things, but it’s certainly not stupid 😉 .
Finally, I’ll give you some insight into a ‘Handpan Question’ that I asked the AI, or rather many AI’s. In this article, I’ll show you an example of how the question “Please tell me the history of the HANDPAN from its beginnings (around 2007) as a copy of the HANG, which was invented by PANArt in Switzerland in 2000. There is now also a legal dispute over intellectual property. Please provide as detailed an answer as possible.” was answered by the AI ‘GROG 3’. I was interested to see what answers the world’s best AI’s would give me to this question. Whether the answers would be consistent and correct. See for yourself the quality of the answers provided by the various AI’s.
You can also download the collected answers from the AI models GPT5, GEMINI2.5, PERPLEXITY, CLAUDE, GROK3, THINK DEEPER, MS COPILOT, and DEEPSEEK to this question as a PDF in German or English via the following links.
Enjoy reading.
Download in ENGLISH
Download in GERMAN
PROMPT: Please tell me the story of the HANDPAN from its beginnings (around 2007) as a copy of the HANG, which was invented by PANArt in Switzerland in 2000.There is now also a legal dispute over intellectualproperty. Please be as detailed as possible.
The History of the Handpan: From the Hang to Worldwide Populaitry .The handpan is a fascinating musical instrument that has gained popularity worldwide over the last two decades. Its history is closely linked to the hang, the original instrument that served as inspiration. Below, I recount the development of the Handpan, its origins, the copies from 2007 onwards, and the legal disputes surrounding intellectual property.
The origins: The Hang by PANArt (2000)
- Invention in Switzerland: The Hang (pronounced “hung”) was developed
in 2000 by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer in Bern, Switzerland. They
founded the company PANArt, which specializes in the manufacture of
idiophonic percussion instruments. - Inspiration: The Hang was inspired by the steel pan from Trinidad and
Tobago, an instrument made of tuned metal drums. Rohner and Schärer
combined this concept with elements of other percussive instruments and
created a unique, UFO-shaped instrument made of two metal half-shells
joined together. - Construction and sound: The hang is made of nitrided steel, which gives it
a special hardness and resonance. It is played with the hands (hence the
name “hang,” which means “hand” in Bernese German). The sound is
warm, melodic, and meditative, which quickly made it a popular instrument
for spiritual and therapeutic purposes. - Limited production: PANArt produced the hang in very limited quantities.
Interested buyers often had to travel to Bern in person to purchase an
instrument, and there were long waiting times. This made the hang a
coveted collector’s item.
The beginning of the Handpan as a copy (around 2007)
- Demand exceeds supply: Due to the limited availability of the hang and its
high price (often several thousand euros), musicians and craftsmen
around the world began to produce similar instruments. These were later
called “handpans” to distinguish them from the original hang. - First copies: The first replicas appeared around 2007. These were often
made by independent craftsmen or small workshops that imitated the
design of the hang but used their own materials and techniques. - Naming: The term “handpan” was coined to create a generic name for
these instruments. It is composed of “hand” (for playing with the hands)
and “pan” (in reference to the steel pan). - Distribution: The handpan quickly found a growing fan base, especially in
the alternative music scene, among street musicians, and in the yoga and
meditation community. The instruments were cheaper than the original
hang and thus accessible to a wider audience.
Differences between the hang and the handpan
Although the terms are often used synonymously, there are some
differences:
- Manufacturing: The Hang is manufactured exclusively by PANArt,
while handpans are produced by many different manufacturers
worldwide. - Material and sound: PANArt uses special nitrided steels and unique
tuning techniques that make the sound of the hang unique. Handpans vary
greatly in quality, material (often stainless steel or nitrided steel), and
sound character. - Design: While the Hang has a very specific design (e.g., the
arrangement of the tone fields and the shape), handpan
manufacturers often experiment with new layouts and scales. - Price and availability: An original Hang is extremely rare and expensive
(often over $10,000 on the second-hand market), while handpans in
are available in a wider price range (500 to 3,000 euros).
The legal dispute over intellectual property
- Trademark protection by PANArt: PANArt has registered the name
“Hang” as a trademark and considers the instrument to be its intellectual
property. They view the manufacture of handpans as an infringement of
their rights, as many of these instruments copy the design and concept of
the Hang. - Criticism of replicas: Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer have publicly
spoken out against the mass production of handpans. They argue that
handpan manufacturers are not only stealing their design, but also
diluting the spiritual and artistic essence of their instrument. - Legal action: PANArt has taken legal action against handpan
manufacturers in several cases, particularly in Europe. They have
attempted to prevent the use of the term “hang” for other instruments
and to prevent the imitation of their design. One prominent case was
the dispute with a German manufacturer, in which PANArt was partially
successful. - Counterarguments from the handpan community: Many handpan
manufacturers and musicians argue that the hang is merely a further
development of existing concepts (such as the steel pan) and that PANArt
should not have a monopoly on the idea of a hand-played metal
instrument. In addition, the handpan community has produced its own
innovations that go beyond the original design. - Current status: The legal dispute is complex and varies depending on
the country and jurisdiction. While PANArt has successfully protected
the term “Hang,” it has not succeeded in stopping the production of
handpans in general. The term “handpan” has established itself as an
independent designation and is accepted by the community.
The development of the handpan to date
- Global distribution: Today, there are hundreds of handpan manufacturers
worldwide, including well-known brands such as Saraz, Halo, Aura, and
Yishama. Each manufacturer brings its own styles, scales, and designs to
the table. - Cultural significance: The handpan has established itself as a symbol of
mindfulness, meditation, and alternative lifestyles. It is often played at
yoga retreats, sound therapies, and street performances. - Technological advances: Modern handpans are manufactured using
advanced techniques, and there is experimentation with new
materials such as stainless steel, which offer a different sound
character. - Community and festivals: There is a vibrant handpan community with
festivals such as “Hangout” in Europe and the US, where players and
manufacturers come together to exchange ideas and make music.
Conclusion and outlook
The history of the handpan is a story of innovation, inspiration, and conflict.
PANArt’s original Hang has become a global phenomenon that inspires millions
of people. While legal disputes over intellectual property continue, the handpan
has established itself as an instrument in its own right, far exceeding the vision of
its inventors.
The future of the handpan looks promising: new technologies, materials, and
creative approaches are driving the instrument’s continued development.
At the same time, the hang remains a symbol of the origins of this fascinating
world of sound—a rare and almost mythical object that laid the foundation for a
musical revolution.
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