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This past summer, We Play Well Together's Creative Community Director Joule L'Adara traveled to Germany to work directly with our instrument builder the feeltone Company, helping to create a series of videos for our new Elemental Soundscapes instrument collections.

Read on to learn more about her adventure.

 

If you're navigating the challenges of harmonizing with family and friends this holiday season, our Earth-Fire and Air-Water Elemental Jam Sets might just be the solution you need to PLAY WELL TOGETHER. The holiday season, while joyful, can also amplify stress, especially when navigating conversations across differing beliefs. Music, however, offers a unique bridge, enabling a form of communication that transcends words, fostering resonance, harmony, and understanding among participants.

Heartfelt stories from our community have illustrated how intuitive music-making has become a medium through which individuals with divergent views can connect, offering a path back to joy and mutual respect. This inspired us to create our Soundscape Jam Sets, designed for anyone to join in, regardless of musical skill. These sets harmonize with the 432 Hz-tuned 4-Element Koshi Chimes, accompanied by matching Hokema Kalimbas and Zenko Tongue-Drums from Metal Sounds, ensuring an immersive soundscape that anyone, from children to grandparents, can enjoy together.

As we introduce these sets, consider them not just as instruments, but as invitations to shared experiences and healing moments. Each set—Earth, Air, Fire, and Water—features instruments that complement each other, creating rich, layered soundscapes reflective of their elemental inspiration. These sets also serve as thoughtful gifts, offering the chance for communal music-making that strengthens bonds.

Immerse yourself in the concept through our 4-minute video, and feel which element calls to you. Whether it’s the grounding vibes of Earth, the lightness of Air, the flow of Water, or the energy of Fire, find your element and discover a new way to connect 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.

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.

Percussionist David Naylor's remarkable journey through music began after a severe illness left him with no memory of his past, including his musical talents. Rediscovering a photo of himself surrounded by drums, with a Zenko Drum at the heart of his setup, sparked a reconnection to music and a path to self-reinvention.

In an Instagram Live conversation with We Play Well Together's Joule L'Adara, David shared insights into living fully in the present, embracing the state of wonderment arising from fragmented memory and mindfulness. He expressed appreciation for his memory loss, viewing it as a clean slate that freed him from traumatic past experiences.

David also discussed his neurodivergence, finding a special connection to rhythmic patterns that align with his interest in specific number sequences, particularly a 3-6-9 Afro-Cuban rhythm. This connection to rhythm and the Zenko Drum, which he feels links him to his past while transporting him to other worlds, highlights the healing power of music.

This conversation underscores the profound impact music can have on recovery, mindfulness, and personal growth. David's story is a testament to the therapeutic potential of musical exploration and the Zenko Drum's role in his musical and personal rediscovery. For a deeper understanding of David's journey and the Zenko Drum's significance, watch the edited IG Live interview on YouTube, which includes discussions and demonstrations of David's percussion setup.

The We Play Well Together collective, featuring instruments like monochords, tongue drums, handpans, kalimbas, and hanging chimes, has found a significant place in music therapy across various settings and conditions. Music Therapist Katie Down has outlined the instruments' clinical uses, which range from hospice care bedside support to assisting individuals with special needs, and from facilitating early childhood development to enhancing therapeutic group work. These instruments are instrumental in techniques such as clinical improvisation, songwriting, and self-soothing methods, supporting vocal exploration, breath work, and more.

A special highlight video has been crafted to offer music therapists a glimpse into the potential applications of these instruments, showcasing creations by Hokema Kalimbas, feeltone, and Metal Sounds. Notably, feeltone instruments can be treated for disinfection, aligning with current health protocols, ensuring they remain a safe choice for therapeutic environments.

Further resources for music therapists interested in integrating these instruments into their practice are available, including profiles and methods by professionals like Christine Stevens and Joanne Loewy from the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine. These resources demonstrate the broad spectrum of therapeutic possibilities these instruments can offer.

For an opportunity to explore these instruments and their uses in music therapy further, We Play Well Together will be present at the American Music Therapy Association 2021 Conference from October 14th to 17th, inviting professionals to connect and learn more about these transformative tools.

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.