Last May, we were thrilled to participate in the inaugural US-based Women's Handpan Gathering, Super Bloom, nestled in New York's Catskill Mountains. Celebrating this unique assembly, we crafted a 9-minute highlight reel showcasing the joy and connections formed at this empowering event.
Super Bloom welcomes all who identify as women, offering a space for learning, rejuvenation, and music-making, with a special invitation for others to witness this unity through our video.
This year, we're excited to return, offering amazing prizes and an array of We Play Well Together instruments for participants to explore. Super Bloom stands as a testament to the strength and creativity of women united by music, set against a backdrop of nature, with a program designed for relaxation, exploration, and shared musical experiences.
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.
Minna Sivola, founder of Harmoniaalto, brings a unique perspective to sound healing, drawing from her Finnish heritage and a successful career in the corporate world. With 17 years at Nokia facing the pressures of high-stakes deadlines and personal health challenges, Minna turned to meditation, yoga, and sound vibration as pathways to wellness. Her journey from stress to serenity led her to become a certified sound practitioner and teacher, dedicated to helping others find harmony and peace through sound.
Minna's approach to sound healing is rooted in the belief that sound waves can bridge the heart and brain, fostering a state of relaxation and presence beyond stress and pain. Offering private sessions, sound baths, and sound healing classes in San Rafael, California, and internationally, Minna shares her expertise to cultivate well-being and balance. Her upcoming online Training and Mentoring for Sound Healing Practitioners, starting February 28th, extends her reach, allowing more people to explore the transformative power of sound. For a glimpse into her practice and philosophy, Minna invites you to watch a free 40-minute intro video available on her website, Harmoniaalto.
Let's start the day with a soothing Monolina Meditation. Join Chelsea Caroline for an 11-minute ASMR journey, exploring the serene sounds of the Monolina D tuned to 432 Hz.
The monochord, including our 34-string Monolina and 21-string Monilini models from feeltone, showcases its versatility and the wide range of creative expressions it enables. Despite its simplicity, the instrument offers a mesmerizing experience, especially when its dreamy drones are combined with hypnotic rhythms and melody accent notes, as Chelsea beautifully demonstrates.
Dive into this tranquil session with Chelsea, who not only introduces us to the Monolina Monochord's rich harmonic possibilities but also immerses us in a rhythmic exploration. Whether you choose to watch the visual journey or simply close your eyes and listen, this video is a perfect way to gently awaken and find peace.
Discover more from Chelsea Caroline by following her music on her YouTube Channel. It's time to embrace the day with harmony! 🌞
The tones of this chime are beautiful. I have it hanging where I can walk by and play it often.
The items arrived in a timely fashion. Thanks for a smooth transaction!
the craftsmanship, (and craftswomanship) is incredible, and her sound. so resonant and otherworldly. I'm so happy with my new Monolina in G. I can't wait to play her for my community. Thank you Gabriele for your outstanding customer service.
This has such a lovely sound! I can’t wait to start learning how to play!
A few years ago I became casually interested in the Kalimba because of its simplicity of design and playability. Without experience or a good point of reference I needed to taste a lot of flavors to sort out the choices. For a while, my discards kept the local Goodwill store supplied with inventory.
The feeding frenzy stopped when I discovered Hokema. Build and material quality is professional grade. The tines are not stiff, so you can play at any intensity without stressing a thumb nails. Resonance from the solid wood base and the resulting sustain are simply stunning. Even the high notes sing, unlike the flat 'tapping an aluminum pan' sound from my discards.
I first purchased the B-17, and later the smaller B-17 Mini. Comments above apply to both. There is no problem holding, playing, or carrying around either instrument. The Mini's smaller footprint might be more comfortable for small hands. I just like the smaller package. Because the B-17's wood block is wider, it has more space between the tines. Both instruments appear to use the same tine assembly materials, but the Mini has a shorter cross bar. The Mini's tine spacing is grouped, but they can be adjusted to make the spacing more uniform like the B-17. In that mode, even with the smaller block the tine spacing is noticeably wider than some other Kalimbas I've tried. My thumbs are average width for a 5'8" person and my nails are normally rounded (not pointed), and I have no trouble playing individual notes.
Tablature is available around the net for 17-key Kalimbas (RiffSpot has a nice ebook), so you can play tunes without reading music on both the B-17 and B-17 Mini.
