Johann Immanuel on Handpan: Meditative Music Between Peace and Emotion

Did you recently listen to one of Johann Immanuel’s compositions on YouTube? Want to learn more about this artist, one of the rising names in the handpan world? What musical projects is this percussionist, who launched his career in 2024, currently working on?

I discovered Johann Immanuel in 2025, when I had the chance to see him play alongside Malte Marten, another leading figure in the handpan community. I was genuinely moved by his performances, so I looked into his journey, and I can help you get a clearer picture of who he is.

In this article, you’ll discover:

• How Johann Immanuel discovered the handpan and became internationally known
• The discography of this handpan artist
• The musical projects he is involved in

By the end, you’ll feel much closer to the vision of this percussionist, whose goal is above all to give every listener a unique sound experience.

Now, let’s dive deeper into Johann Immanuel’s career.

Who is Johann Immanuel, the excellent handpan player?

Johann Immanuel is a musician specializing in the handpan, a flying saucer-shaped percussion instrument. He was born and raised in the city of Hamburg, Germany. His first encounter with the handpan took place in 2019 in Portugal during a trip. He met a handpan maker, and this unexpected encounter changed his life—he was immediately captivated by the instrument and played it almost nonstop for an entire week. Johann quickly bought his first handpan and began developing his skills without any formal musical training, simply following his intuition and instincts.

It was mainly through YouTube that Johann Immanuel started making a name for himself. Still fairly new to the handpan scene, he didn’t upload his first video featuring his favourite instrument until February 2024. It was a clip he describes as a sound exploration, filmed in the summer of 2023 in a wooded area near Leipzig, Germany, with no particular expectations.

That spontaneous urge to share quickly became a habit, and more videos soon appeared on his channel, both solo and in duets with artists such as Changeofcolours, Roni Yohanan, and Malte Marten. These collaborations are made easier by the fact that all of these artists are based in Germany. His partnership with Malte Marten is especially striking: the two musicians, often together on stage or in the studio, have recorded long, two-handpan improvisations. Their joint track “Growth (777 Hz)” and the session “Radiance of Being (1111 Hz)” showcase that musical alchemy. These videos are often improvisations that can last over an hour, making them ideal for meditation and deep listening. You can watch one just below:

Thanks to his strong online presence, Johann Immanuel has built real visibility and a loyal community. For example, his YouTube channel has just over 16,000 subscribers, and his Instagram has more than 20,000 followers at the time of writing. It’s a promising start for an artist on the rise, especially since Malte Marten often describes him as a brother at heart—their artistic bond is that strong.

His online success comes down to the authenticity and calm that radiate from his playing: listeners feel invited into the present moment and can find, in turn, a sense of inner peace through these soothing sounds.

What is the discography of this handpan enthusiast?

Though Johann Immanuel’s career is still in its early days, he released his first EP toward the end of 2025—on October 31, to be exact. Titled "Healing of the Sea," it’s a collection of six tracks lasting a little over 20 minutes. As the name suggests, the pieces draw inspiration from the ocean, with compositions such as "Ocean Breath" and "From Shadow to Light." That same year, Johann Immanuel also released several singles, including "Rooted in Freedom" and "Calming Heart." Then, in early 2026, he kept the momentum going with his latest single, "Aura Cleansing," which, like the previous releases, focuses on inner healing and emotional steadiness.

According to the artist himself, a full-length album is currently in the works—great news for his devoted listeners.

What musical projects is this German percussionist involved in?

Beyond YouTube, Johann Immanuel also stands out for how generously he shares what he’s learned. In that spirit, he offers five-day handpan workshops and retreats. The goal is to support players on their individual journey—whether they want to reconnect with the instrument or refine their technique, with or without any prior music background. These five-day workshops typically cost from $1,300 to $2,000, depending on the accommodation option, and usually take place in May. During the event, yoga classes and two sauna sessions are included. Beginners who don’t yet own an instrument can still participate, since Johann Immanuel lends one out, making sure nothing holds new players back.

It’s also worth mentioning that this talented percussionist is working alongside Malte Marten to develop the world’s first training program for handpan teachers. The idea is to share their expertise and help a new generation of musicians grow with this instrument in their hands.

Take an unforgettable journey of sound with your own handpan

Johann Immanuel embodies a new generation of artists for whom music isn’t just performance—it’s sincere, therapeutic sharing. A talented German handpan musician, he uses his art to serve inner peace and community. With the help of this article, you now know much more about the promising beginnings of Johann Immanuel’s artistic career.

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In a different style, but still with a handpan in his hands, discover Vasilis Vasiliou, a musician and percussionist from Cyprus who gives impressive artistic performances. He is one of the best hang drum players on the planet.