The World Drum Club at We Play Well Together features the collaboration of Kalani and Brandon, both know for their percussion sessions.
Their work combines various rhythms and engaging presentation. The duo's approach has been noted for offering both entertainment and educational insights, reflecting We Play Well Together's focus on musical innovation and community engagement.
Brandon Blake, a multifaceted individual juggling roles as a preschool teacher, brain injury support group leader, musician, animal rights activist, and volunteer, shares his daily life and his profound connection with the Kalimba Sansula in an interview with Annalena Horl for Hokema, Germany. His routine begins with caring for his cats, followed by preparing breakfast and spending eight hours at school focusing on the social and emotional development of young children. Post-work, he finds solace and creativity in playing the Sansula or bass, highlighting his commitment to self-care and artistic expression.
Brandon’s job satisfaction stems from nurturing positive behaviors like kindness, empathy, and respect among preschool children, aiming to cultivate a future generation free of xenophobia, racism, and aggression. He was drawn to the Sansula as a means to disconnect from the digital world and engage in a more tactile, musical form of expression. Since discovering the Sansula in 2015, it has become an integral part of his life, offering him solace, therapeutic benefits, and a medium for musical creativity.
He utilizes the Sansula across various aspects of his life, from calming preschool children and entertaining nursing home residents to providing healing in brain injury communities. Brandon praises the Sansula for its ease of use, therapeutic potential, and adaptability, including his innovative use of magnets to alter its notes for performance flexibility. He regards the Sansula as a serious musical instrument, validated by his performances with renowned musicians like Victor Wooten, where his unique playing techniques were celebrated.
Brandon’s favorite Hokema instrument is the Sansula Renaissance for its durability and sound quality, making it suitable for both young children and therapeutic applications. His journey with the Sansula began after a life-altering accident that left him with severe injuries and a traumatic brain injury, from which he has been recovering with resilience and positivity. Now leading a group for young patients with brain injuries, Brandon views every moment as "bonus time," a second chance at life enriched by his experiences, relationships, and music.
At the 2019 NAMM Show, the captivating qualities of Hokema Kalimbas, especially the Sansula, were brought into the spotlight through an insightful interview with musician Brandon Blake by VisionQuest Sound. Emphasizing the instrument's simplicity and versatility,.
For those eager to dive deeper into Hokema's range of Kalimbas, from the compact models to the deluxe versions, a series of product line videos are available, providing a comprehensive overview of these beautifully crafted instruments.
And for those who love the Sansula but are looking for tuning options that better match their musical setup, there's no need to fret. Hokema offers a tuning tool designed for adjusting the tines to virtually any pitch. This adaptability opens up a world of possibilities, as evidenced by an eclectic collection of videos showcasing various creative retunings of the Sansula, proving its flexibility to fit any musician's needs.
Absolutely stunning craftsmanship in every way!- sounds almost angelic, and so mesmerizing ... feels wonderful on my body. Delightful playing experience. Everything was packaged with the upmost care. Came with tuner as well as spare strings, mallet, and accessories!
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.
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.
