News

We're excited to announce a new Livestream series for 2023, featuring our friend Kalani Das from the WORLD DRUM CLUB on YouTube. Kickstarting this series, a recent livestream showcased Kalani playing our instruments alongside a live looper. This collaboration is set to continue with a monthly livestream event, offering our audience and customers unique interactive opportunities.

The first session in this series, happening on Sunday, January 29th, will see Kalani joined by We Play Well Together's Joule L'Adara. They'll dive into the instruments played in the initial video, provide live demonstrations, and host a Q&A segment for any questions about playing intuitive instruments.

Mark your calendars for the last Sunday of each month to catch these special livestreams on our YouTube Channel and Facebook Page. This initiative is part of our ongoing collaboration with Kalani, aimed at enhancing our connection with the community and sharing the joy of music. Whether you're interested in Koshi Chimes, Zenko Drums, Tinka Tongs, Kalimbas, feeltone Monochords, or more, these sessions promise a wealth of musical exploration.

If you can't join live, no worries—the recordings will be available on our YouTube Channel and Facebook Page. We're looking forward to playing well together with you in 2023!

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.

Have you discovered the enchantment of Koshi Chimes? These captivating hanging chimes, tuned to 432 Hz and hailing from France, have become indispensable in the realm of sound meditation. Our excitement soared when The Metal Sounds Company introduced a set of Zenko drum "Elementals" designed to harmonize perfectly with the Koshi Chimes. These Zenko drums, smaller and more affordable than their larger counterparts, have been affectionately dubbed "baby turtles" by our community, and they've quickly become a beloved addition to sound healing sessions.

These "baby turtles" come in four elemental tunings, each offering a distinct energy to enhance your sound bath experience:
- EARTH ELEMENT in C-Major "Terra": Energizing
- AIR ELEMENT in A-minor "Aria": Mystical
- FIRE ELEMENT in G-Major "Ignis": Heartwarming
- WATER ELEMENT in D-minor "Aqua": Introspective

Designed with practicality in mind, the Zenko Elementals feature three rubber feet for stability on various surfaces and can be easily played with one hand or on your lap. Their compact size and included carrying bag mean you can bring the soothing essence of your chosen element wherever you go.

Curious to hear these elemental tunings? Check out this brief 1-minute video showcasing the unique sound of each Elemental tuning, offering a glimpse into the tranquil world they create.

Discover the exquisite line of Metal Sounds' steel percussion instruments, skillfully crafted in Southern France and now available in the American market through WE PLAY WELL TOGETHER. This includes the Zenko Drum, a top-tier tongue drum likened to the "Porsche" of tongue-drums for its refined sound and elegant design, and the Spacedrum, available in both Evolution and Nitro versions, offering unique sounds suited to various musical and therapeutic applications.

The Zenko Drum, with its variety of tunings, and the Spacedrum, with its chromatic range and responsive qualities, exemplify innovation in musical instrument design. Metal Sounds, established from a collaboration between Philip Maignaut and the Djoliba Music Store, prides itself on quality and integrity, handcrafting instruments that resonate with musicians, therapists, and enthusiasts alike.

As the exclusive North American distributor for Metal Sounds, WE PLAY WELL TOGETHER ensures a seamless experience for customers, from expert advice to after-service support. This partnership not only brings these unique instruments closer to the American handpan community but also fosters a global network of players united by the joy of music.

Curious about the enchanting world of handpans and tongue drums? If you've ever pondered the unique tonal qualities of these instruments or how to integrate them into your musical or therapeutic practice, including singing alongside these melodious percussions, then you're in for a treat.

We're thrilled to feature an insightful interview with Kalani Das of the World Drum Club, a celebrated YouTube channel with over 200K followers that delves into percussion instruments through tutorials and reviews. In this detailed discussion, Kalani explores Metal Sounds' Spacedrum Evolution and Zenko Drum, offering a captivating demonstration that highlights the harmony between these instruments.

Kalani's expertise shines as he employs live looping techniques to blend the distinct sounds of the Spacedrum Evolution and Zenko Drum, illustrating the seamless interaction possible even for solo performers. This interview is a testament to the synergy of We Play Well Together's curated instrument selection.

Highlights from the interview include:
- The distinctions between handpans and tongue drums and their unique applications.
- The Zenko drum's exceptional quality, likened to the "sportscar" of tongue drums for its refined sound.
- The Spacedrum Evolution's notable sustain, making it a standout choice among handpans.
- Tips on using live looping for creating layered soundscapes.
- The importance of investing in the highest quality instrument possible.
- The dynamic duo of singing with pitched percussion for an enriched musical experience.

Deciding between a handpan and a tongue drum is significant, with many opting to dream about and list these instruments as coveted additions to their musical repertoire. Metal Sounds' handcrafted instruments from France demand patience, often requiring weeks to perfect, but the result is an unparalleled sound companion worth the wait. Explore our collection of Spacedrum and Zenko Drums to find the one that resonates with you.

Zenko Drums, touted as the "Porsche" of Tongue-Drums, are a testament to high-quality craftsmanship and innovative design, produced by Metal Sounds in the South of France. These metal tongue drums stand out for their intuitive playability and superior sound quality, crafted from two stainless steel shells welded together and precision-tuned to produce melodic tones through laser-cut "tongues." Lightweight and portable, Zenkos come with a protective padded bag complete with a mallet holder, making them perfect for musicians on the go.

What sets Zenko Drums apart in the crowded tongue drum market is their exceptional material quality and the meticulous attention to detail in their creation. The Zenko offers a sonic experience akin to handpans, with pure, uplifting bell-like tones and pitch-perfect tuning that invites meditative exploration and enhances sound meditation and music therapy sessions. Designed for professional use, Zenkos can be mounted on a cymbal stand, integrating seamlessly into drum kits or percussion setups.

Recognizing the Zenko as a premium instrument, Metal Sounds offers a diverse range of tunings, from chromatic scales to unique musical modes, catering to both traditional musicians and adventurous explorers of sound. A special video featuring percussionist Conny Sommar showcases the variety of Zenko tunings, providing a glimpse into the drum's versatility and the meticulous process behind its creation in Toulouse, France. This dedication to quality ensures that Zenko Drums not only meet but exceed the expectations of professional musicians and sound practitioners, offering a sound experience that is as refined and sophisticated as a Porsche.

Todd Boston, demonstrates the difference between a spacedrum Nitro and a spacedrum Evolution.