Music Therapists on utilizing our instruments for Music Therapy
The We Play Well Togetherfamily of instruments - which include monochords, tongue drums, handpans, kalimbas and hanging chimes - have all been utilized in a variety of different music therapy applications.
According to Music Therapist Katie Down (LCAT, MT-BC, MMT, MM):
"possible clinical uses of our instruments include:
Bedside for Hospice Care
Ameliorate somatic symptoms associated with emotional stress
Recreative and Receptive Methods
Clinical Improvisation
Song Writing
Self-Soothing Methods
Supporting Children and Adults with Special Needs
Early Childhood Development
Therapeutic Group and Relational Work
Supporting Vocal Exploration and Breath Work"
We created a 15-minute highlight video just for music therapists to get an idea of the many different instruments and possible applications for their use, featuring instruments built by Hokema Kalimbas,feeltone and Metal Sounds.
Note: feeltoneinstruments - including wood drums, monochords, and sound furniture - can now be specially coated for disinfection to adhere to current safety and cleaning protocols.
Additionally, we invite all those working with Music Therapy to check out our other blog posts featuring Music Therapists working with our instruments:
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.
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.
