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  • Dave Leo Baker feels the sound
    May 9, 2025

    Dave Leo Baker feels the sound

    Since 2021 we've hosted an interactive virtual playshop called KALIMBA CAMPFIRE now taking place live simultaneously on the Clubhouse Social Audio App and Zoom where guests can be seen with their camera on, but participants have the luxury of participating with...

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  • Sansula On Stage with Jazz! Featuring violinist Gwen Laster and the Travelguides jazz ensemble
    May 14, 2024

    Sansula On Stage with Jazz! Featuring violinist Gwen Laster and the Travelguides jazz ensemble

    World-renowned jazz violinist Gwen Laster adds a captivating touch to her live performances by incorporating the Sansula, an intuitive instrument from Hokema Kalimbas, sold by We Play Well Together.

    In a highlight video from her performance at the Beacon Bonfire Arts Festival, Gwen and her ensemble create mesmerizing interludes using the Sansula, adding a sense of space and expanded time to their set.

    The Sansula, a variation of the kalimba, is easy to play and introduces extra creativity to any musical act.

    Gwen's innovative use of this instrument, along with her poignant violin playing, showcases why she has performed with some of the world's most influential artists. Explore the various Sansulas and their accessories to enhance your own musical repertoire.

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  • Can you play a Sansula ON a Monochord??
    March 20, 2024

    Can you play a Sansula ON a Monochord??

    We Play Well Together with Sansulas tuned to to work in harmony with all our feeltone Monochords, and they can be played together in surprising ways...  Sound Artist and We Play Well Together's Creative and Community Director Joule L'Adara recently made a cool new...

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  • 😌World Drum Club: People are loving Kalani & Brandon together
    June 29, 2023

    😌World Drum Club: People are loving Kalani & Brandon together

    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.
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  • Kalimba Electro: Techniques for the Studio and Live Stage!
    March 6, 2023

    Kalimba Electro: Techniques for the Studio and Live Stage!

    Here is a cool 83-second video showcasing the Kalimba Electro by Hokema, a game-changer for studio and live musicians. This unique kalimba comes with a piezo pickup and a 6.35mm jack socket, eliminating the need for an external mic and perfect for integrating crystal-clear percussive notes into your tracks.

    The video highlights Connor Shafran and Sia Mozaffari (Sia Seeds), demonstrating innovative uses of the Kalimba Electro in live and studio settings, from pitch-shifting in Germany to triggering samples and loops in Oakland. Featured is the B11 Kalimba Melody Electro, tuned to G-Major, alongside its variants in a-minor and C-Major pentatonic scales – all adjustable with Hokema's tuning tool.

    Dive into the fusion of traditional African rhythms with modern music production. Hokema's Kalimba Electros, with their built-in pickups, are a seamless fit for live performances and digital setups, offering a warm, gentle sound that complements any musical ensemble. Check them out for a versatile addition to your instrumental arsenal.
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  • Our newest Kalimba:  The B17 "Mini" by Hokema
    November 13, 2022

    Our newest Kalimba: The B17 "Mini" by Hokema

    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.

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  • Why were 118K Souls Soothed by this B15 Kalimba video?!
    September 14, 2022

    Why were 118K Souls Soothed by this B15 Kalimba video?!

    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.

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  • Hokema Sansula deluxe close up
    June 30, 2022

    Play a Tango Rhythm Sansula with Composer Matt Levine!

    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!
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