Monochords, Kalimbas, Koshi & Zaphir Chime & Gong Drums– Handmade Sound Healing Instruments
A Music Therapist's Portrait: Christine Stevens, MSW, MA, MT-BC
A Portrait: Christine Stevens, Music Therapist, Author, Speaker
Interview by: Annalena Horl
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Christine, when did music interest you and when did you start drumming?
First of all, I thought I had no sense of rhythm at all. I almost failed the percussion class at college. But then a drum circle changed my life. I learned to play congas and improvise freely.
How would you describe your personal philosophy regarding drums and their magic?
For me, drums are a portal to musical expression. Their simple handling, their spiritual depth and historical significance, as well as scientifically proven evidence of their healing effects, make them an instrument of transformation, healing, prayer and fun.
When did you get to know the Kalimba Sansula?
That was during a national conference for music therapists. I tried them out and bought two of them.
How do you use the Sansula and what are the possibilities of using the instrument? What effect does the Sansula have on your students and listeners?
I use the Sansula in my healing drum groups, in which we practice the healing rhythm with every participant. These can be seniors, cancer patients or even companies. The sound of the Sansula is always calming and mystical.
Do you think the Sansula could be considered a “serious” instrument?
Of course!
About Christine Stevens, MSW, MA, MT-BC
It is said that Christine Stevens does not just teach drumming, but that her hours are a mixture of magic, fun and holistic healing processes. Christine Stevens holds master degrees in two areas: social work and music therapy. She works with people from all over the world in the form of drum and percussion circles and introduces the magical world of rhythm. She is the founder of UpBeat Drum Circles and has often been a guest on TV shows with renowned US channels such as NBC, PBS and KTLA. In addition, she worked as a speaker on the DVD project "Discover the Gift" and wrote "Music Medicine", "The Healing Drum Kit" and "The Art and Heart of Drum Circles". In her career, she taught and coached trainers from more than twenty-five countries in the HealthRythm program, in the evidence-based REMO group. Christine has worked with many Fortune 500 companies, but also with survivors of Hurricane Katrina, students at Ground Zero, and recently led her first percussion group in a war zone in northern Iraq.
Learn More about Christine at: UpBeat Drum Circles
Christine currently offers a course on the Shift Network: The Flute as Sound Medicine.
- Open your heart and expand your world through the transformative power of the flute
- Join us in a musical prayer and ceremony for peace, transformation & awakening
- Discover the flute as a tool for mindfulness, inner peace & heart-guided ways of being
- Discover how the flute can help you move through grief, fear, and pain
- Discover the flute as a gateway to healing, mindfulness & personal transformation
- Discover how the healing power of the flute can help you navigate difficult times
Blog posts
Exceeded all my expectations, which were already high. This Monolina is so meticulously crafted and well made. I wish I could purchase one for every tuning. A lovely instrument that is clearly built to endure generations.
My binural tongue drum is so so beautiful. I’m very happy with it and the sound is amazing, healing, engaging transformative! I always have the best experience with everyone at Weplaywelltogther! I’m always supported and well guided by Joule and Gabriele.
I’ve just received my Sanaulan and I’m thrilled!
Thank you
The unit came packed well. I reviewed the enclosed information. Having to tune it everyday for two weeks seemed a bit daunting for a newbie like me (no musical training) but proceeded. Ps I put the monolini on the stand but one side didn’t tighten. I tried to tune it but it took me 45 min to tune 3 strings. I tried again the next day but also was having a difficult time. I couldn’t find anything online to assist but when I was talking with my friend who is a musician she said to come over and she would help. The unit packed well in the travel well. The first thing she did was attach a “pick up” to it. And within a few minutes she had all 21 strings done. So my advice is do not buy the Monochord without a pick up. It plugs into the tuner supplied and clips in to the Monochord. For a $10 item it really should be included. Now it is so much easier and enjoyable. Without the pick up the tuner picks up all sorts of background noise even if you have a quiet space. It’s been a couple weeks now and I have bonded deeply with her…Mona is her name. I bought a baby blanket as it’s recommended to keep it covered.
This instrument sounds beautiful, is well-made, and is the perfect addition to my sound healing toolbox. Thank you!
I love this instrument! I love how it sounds and how easy it is to play!
Shipped fast. I am so glad I was able to find this little tool here after looking everywhere.
Enjoying my Monolini G thoroughly. I have a D Monolina and the addition of the Monolini added another dimension to my playing experience. The D has a rich, grounding tonality and the G compliments that richness with bringing what feels like (to me) a richer expression, adding another range of subtlety and overtones. Beautiful!
Sounded utterly enchanting right out of the box!
D
Zaphir Chime D-minor we ordered the wrong color The tones of this chime are beautiful. I have it hanging where I can walk by and play it often.
The items arrived in a timely fashion. Thanks for a smooth transaction!
the craftsmanship, (and craftswomanship) is incredible, and her sound. so resonant and otherworldly. I'm so happy with my new Monolina in G. I can't wait to play her for my community. Thank you Gabriele for your outstanding customer service.
This has such a lovely sound! I can’t wait to start learning how to play!
A few years ago I became casually interested in the Kalimba because of its simplicity of design and playability. Without experience or a good point of reference I needed to taste a lot of flavors to sort out the choices. For a while, my discards kept the local Goodwill store supplied with inventory.
The feeding frenzy stopped when I discovered Hokema. Build and material quality is professional grade. The tines are not stiff, so you can play at any intensity without stressing a thumb nails. Resonance from the solid wood base and the resulting sustain are simply stunning. Even the high notes sing, unlike the flat 'tapping an aluminum pan' sound from my discards.
I first purchased the B-17, and later the smaller B-17 Mini. Comments above apply to both. There is no problem holding, playing, or carrying around either instrument. The Mini's smaller footprint might be more comfortable for small hands. I just like the smaller package. Because the B-17's wood block is wider, it has more space between the tines. Both instruments appear to use the same tine assembly materials, but the Mini has a shorter cross bar. The Mini's tine spacing is grouped, but they can be adjusted to make the spacing more uniform like the B-17. In that mode, even with the smaller block the tine spacing is noticeably wider than some other Kalimbas I've tried. My thumbs are average width for a 5'8" person and my nails are normally rounded (not pointed), and I have no trouble playing individual notes.
Tablature is available around the net for 17-key Kalimbas (RiffSpot has a nice ebook), so you can play tunes without reading music on both the B-17 and B-17 Mini.
Hokema kalimbas are as nice sounding as any I have ever heard. WPWT provides fast shipping and quick responses to inquires.
Enjoyable to use and very good quality for more percussive techniques.
These chimes are exquisite, and We Play Well Together is a great company to purchase from.
Highly recommended!
I have a Monolina for my Sound Healing practice, but wanted a monilini for myself. I am so happy with my purchase. It is perfect!
I bought a Sansula deluxe at We play well together. The service was exceptionnal and I received it within 4 days. The Sansula's sound is simply magic. So rich and vibrant. It creates an ambiance of it's own.
Really happy and satisfied about this purchase.
I just took the week-long monochord training with Joule and fell in love with my Monolina. Joule is a fun, engaging and knowledgeable teacher who brings deep reverence to her instruments and the art of playing them. We got to experiment with and experience all the different ways of expressing through our monochords and came away with a proven, complete and beautiful 45-minute session we can now offer. I highly recommend this class.
Quick delivery, wonderful company and lovely instrument!
It is always a pleasure to speak to Gabriella and her customer service is top notch
this set is legit sounds like little angels 😇