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Just in time for the holiday season, we're thrilled to unveil the B17 "Mini" Kalimba by Hokema Kalimbas, crafted with smaller hands in mind. This model caters to children, young adults, and anyone with smaller-sized hands, offering a more comfortable playing experience.

The B17-Mini stands out not only for its size but also for its closely mounted metal tines, simplifying the creation of glissandos. This musical technique, involving a smooth slide across notes, is effortlessly achieved on this kalimba, allowing for a seamless blend of sound that's both enchanting and fun to produce.

Matching the musical layout and tuning of its larger counterpart, the B17 Kalimba, the Mini version is constructed from American Cherry wood and spans two-and-a-half octaves in the C-Major diatonic scale. Its unique design facilitates easy chord formation and song accompaniment, making it an ideal instrument for both beginners and seasoned players. Additionally, it includes "chord magnets" for marking desired chords, enhancing the learning and playing process.

Kalimbas, with their rich history originating in southern Africa, have evolved into a diverse range of instruments celebrated worldwide. The B17-Mini, alongside other variants like the Sansula and Kalimba Electro, is available on our site, ready to bring the timeless joy of kalimba music into more hands this holiday season.

Introducing the B15 "Mini" Kalimba from Hokema, designed specifically for smaller hands, this new model promises easier playability for children, young adults, and anyone with smaller-sized hands.

Its unique feature, closely mounted metal tines, simplifies playing glissandos, allowing a fluid transition between notes for a mesmerizing musical effect. Echoing the layout and tuning of its predecessor, the B17, the B15 Mini is crafted from American Cherry wood and spans two-and-a-half octaves in the C-Major diatonic scale. This layout supports easy chord formation and intuitive play, enhanced by "chord magnets" for marking chords, inviting players of all ages to explore its harmonious potential.

With origins rooted in southern Africa, the kalimba's soothing tones are now accessible in this compact, versatile instrument, enriching our diverse collection of kalimbas, including the Sansula and Kalimba Electro, available for discovery and delight.

We're honored to collaborate with the music composers  Matt Levine, who recently incorporated the Hokema Kalimba Sansula Deluxe into his vast collection. Matt has shared a tutorial video on his approach to the Sansula, demonstrating its immediate musicality and likening the playing of its two rows of metal tines to the rhythmic "inhale and exhale" of breathing. His demonstration includes a tango rhythm on the Sansula, tuned to A minor, showcasing how its limited 9 notes form a musical structure that allows for endless melodic and rhythmic exploration.

Matt Levine, based in San Francisco, balances his time between teaching at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and creating sound immersion applications. His diverse work spans composing for video games, films, TV, and more, showcasing his versatility across genres and his innovative technical skills. Founder of Uncle Vector’s Audio Lab LLC and with a history of significant roles in the music industry, including Beatnik Inc. and Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Matt's recent venture is Tone Pool, a sound immersion app for iOS and Android.

Dive into Matt's video to explore the Sansula's potential yourself and share your experience with us!

Discover the enchanting world of Hokema Kalimbas, meticulously crafted in a solar-powered, family-operated factory in Germany, and now available in the American market through WE PLAY WELL TOGETHER. This introduction into the interconnected community of kalimba enthusiasts underscores the instruments' accessibility and appeal to music makers of all levels.

The Kalimba, with origins in sub-Saharan Africa, offers a warm, soft sound that encourages relaxation and integrates well with other instruments. The Sansula, a unique development by Hokema, amplifies the kalimba's vibrations through a drum head, producing a prolonged, overtone-rich sound. For the more technologically inclined, the "Elektro" Kalimba features a built-in pickup for easy amplification, ideal for live performances and digital streaming.

Founded by Peter Hokema, who was captivated by traditional African plucked instruments, Hokema has evolved under the leadership of his son Hugo, maintaining its commitment to quality and sustainability. Their instruments are crafted from American cherry wood, avoiding tropical woods, and the factory runs on renewable energy.

Hokema's dedication to craftsmanship and innovation has made its kalimbas beloved by a diverse array of users, from professional musicians to wellness practitioners. As the exclusive North American distributor, WE PLAY WELL TOGETHER, led by Gabriele Schwibach, supports this tradition, offering a platform for these beautiful instruments to resonate within a global community.

 

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.