"Keyboard" Kalimbas Comparison: B15, B17 + B17-Mini by Hokema
Just in time for Autumn, watch this short video full of Fall Vibes in which we compare and contrast 3 similar instruments we refer to as the "Keyboard Kalimbas": the B15, B17, and B17-Mini kalimbas by Hokema.
B17 Kalimba:
- 17 metal tines
- Comes tuned to C-Major (may be re-tuned to alternate scales)
- Wide wood block with tines farther apart making it easy to play melodies and chords
B17-Mini Kalimba:
-
17 metal tines - Comes tuned to C-Major (may be re-tuned to alternate scales)
- Smaller wood block makes it easier to hold for smaller hands
- Tines are closer together so easy and fun to play glissandos (notes that glide up or down blending the tones into each other) by running the thumbs rapidly up or down multiple tines
- For larger hands and fingers it's harder to play exact chords and melodies as tines are closer to one another
- 15 metal tines
- Comes tuned to G-Major (may be re-tuned to alternate scales)
- Two rows with thicker tines on the bottom which produce pleasing grounding lower tones
- The two rows make it easy to play lovely chord combinations
Watch and listen to this short video demonstration:
Though not an official instrument category by Hokema Kalimbas, we refer to these instruments as "Keyboard Kalimbas" as they contain full diatonic musical scales with notes in order going up the scale much like the way musical notes go up and down scales as laid out on a keyboard of a piano.
Diatonic scales contain 7 notes in a series of intervals including five whole steps and two half-steps. The major diatonic scale contains the familiar notes one can sing with do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti- then circling back again to "do". These notes then repeat over again as the notes continue to go up. That means our kalimbas with 17 tines have enough notes to go up this sequence 2.5 times, and the 15-tine instrument repeats twice (+1 extra note at the top.)
However unlike a piano or electric keyboard where the notes climb from low to higher building left to right, on these kalimbas the lowest note of the scale is located at the bottom center of the instrument, and the scale is played by the thumbs alternating plucking the tines right-left-right-left-right...etc. (or left-right-left right... for left-handers).
This allows for triads (groups of 3 notes that are harmonious with one another) to be right next to each other, making it super easy to play chords. Thus, the "keyboard kalimbas" are designed to be musical instruments where you can play both melodies and chords to create or accompany songs.
For musicians, these are truly musical instruments that can be used to play repertoire and/or write new compositions, play with other instrumentalists, and play while singing. Playing kalimba in this way does require a certain degree of musical knowledge, and practice is needed to be able to play sequences.
For more intuitive-playing of instruments - which means playing as you feel without practice or worrying about "wrong notes" - we would recommend instead of the keyboard kalimbas easier to play are the kalimbas and Sansulas from our Elemental Soundscapes collection. (Elemental Soundscapes are collections of instruments made to match each other with limited notes so that anything you play is harmonious. These make them much easier to play, but limit the choices such that songs and chord changes aren't possible the way they are with the "keyboard kalimbas".)
In this video you can get a quick overview of each instrument, hear what they sound like, and understand the differences between these 3 models.
Shop Keyboard Kalimbas by Hokema below:
Blog posts
Explore our Earth (C-Major) Collection
All of our instrument groups: Monochord, Tinka Tongs, Kalimbas & Sansulas, Koshi and Zaphir Chimes are available in this tuning
Explore our Air (A-minor) Collection
All of our instrument groups: Monochord, Tinka Tongs, Kalimbas & Sansulas, Koshi and Zaphir Chimes are available in this tuning
Explore our Water (d-minor) Collection
Learn more about the Instruments of this collection and watch our bautiful videos
Explore our Fire (G-Major) Collection
The products are already available and the videos going to be released Autumn 2025
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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 😇
I am new to the Monolina world but have been around stringed instruments all my life. I'm so excited about its possibilities as a solo instrument for use in Reiki, as well as in an ensemble setting. It helps me to meditate as well.
R
Used Monolina XL Low C We have a full set of crystal bowls, and the low C monochord adds a wonderful depth to their sounding. I also find myself humming/singing over the low C drone in a quite natural way. Very happy with my new instrument.
I've wanted to purchase a Sansula ever since I first heard one, two years ago. I finally purchased one and upon receiving it was disappointed in it's sound. Customer service was extremely helpful and promptly replaced it. Couldn't have been a better experience. I highly recommend the instrument and the company is top notch.
Works well. Delighted to have the ability to tune my Sansula myself.
We Play well together has been a resource for instruments for, at least, 5 years. The quality of the instruments, customer service, kindness and expertise of the staff has been a huge bonus and blessing in our interactions. I am grateful for their service, friendliness and flexibility. thank you so very much VLamura
These mallets are super fun to use and I love the sounds they create. I purchased a pair of each set of mallets and I love them all so much, I'm planning on keeping the pair I thought I would send back originally.
I have a set and love these so much. They are well made, and the sound is solid and carries well in small and large spaces. Highly recommend!
Wonderful instrument. It’s easy to travel with and well crafted. Customer service is wonderful as well. Very responsive. I am always impressed with the attention to customer service and care of the instruments. This instruments complement my crystal singing bowls and monalina nicely.
My G Monolina is perfect! Beautiful to play in a group, as well as on the body.
Absolutely in love, but should have ordered the bag! Ordering it now as it is was too fragile to travel with without the bag.
The instrument brigs such an amazing quality and super easy to play