News

In March, coinciding with the Spring Equinox, Susan Maule, a seasoned practitioner and friend of WE PLAY WELL TOGETHER, led the Monochord Monday Meetup.

She showcased the MonChair by feeltone, integrating it with instruments like the C# Hokema Sansula, Crystal Singing Bowls, and a Native American-style flute to create harmonious soundscapes. Susan demonstrated the MonChair's use in group settings, allowing participants to experience the enveloping sounds while seated in the chair, surrounded by others in a ceremonial rotation. She combined the MonChair's vibrations with the Zaphir "Sunray" Chime in C#, a C# tuned Sansula, and other selected instruments, offering a layered auditory experience.

This session exemplified the collaborative spirit of "We Play Well Together," highlighting the possibility of custom tunings for kalimbas and Sansulas to harmonize with existing instruments. Susan's broad expertise in the healing arts, alongside her unique approach to sound therapy, enriches the Monochord Monday Meetup community. Her contributions, along with over 60 other videos, are accessible in the group's video library for those who join the Monochord Monday Group on Zoom.

The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine has discovered a profound tool in the Vibrational Singing Chair from feeltone, integrating it into their Music Therapy program with remarkable results. San Francisco-based sound practitioner Lydia Hwang recently demonstrated its effectiveness alongside Monolina Monochords and Klangfarben Hanging Chimes, further exploring the chair's therapeutic potential.

Originally drawn to sound healing following an autoimmune diagnosis, Lydia's journey has led her to a deep understanding of the healing properties of sound, particularly through the monochord chair's ability to produce consonant intervals and octaves. Utilized as a warm-up tool, the chair has captivated both patients and healthcare staff, offering moments of tranquility and relief from ailments such as migraines through specific vocal and string techniques.

The chair's impact extends beyond adults; it has also provided a serene experience for a child with pervasive developmental delays, showcasing its versatility and ability to create a meditative state conducive to therapy and relaxation. As the MonChair becomes integrated into hospital settings, its efficacy in pain management and recovery is being formally evaluated, promising a future where sound healing is a standard part of patient care. The MonChair, with its dual function as an office chair, underscores the adaptability and holistic benefit of integrating vibrational sound therapy into healing spaces.