This holiday season, we invite you to consider a gift that gives back.The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International and We Play Well Together are honored to partner with the Kichwa women of Sarayakuin theAmazon rainforest in Ecuador. We're deeply humbled to be supporting this group by importing and selling their beautiful beaded jewelry on our website. We Play Well Together has donated funds to purchase the first round of artwork from the Sarayaku Women in addition to donating website and logistical support to send them to you.All profits from your purchases will directlysupport the livelihood of the craftswomen, and their advocacy work to protect the forest through Amazon Women Defenders of the Jungle (Mujeres Amazonicas Defensoras).
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.
Sound meditation facilitator Joule L'Adara will guide your through a live sound ceremony honoring this moment of seasonal change with the Autumn Equinox. On this evening, we take the time to pause, find our grounding, and come into balance through vocal sounding. Joule will play her collection of eight feeltone monochords along with other therapeutic instruments including tongue drums, handpan and kalimba while guiding you through a vocal activation and release ritual. This is an opportunity for deep listening, intention setting, and to learn about participatory vocal sound practices to bring about internal states of balance, flow, and Well-Being.
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.
Peter Hokema, the founder of Hokema Kalimbas, created an enchanting tutorial amidst a snowy German landscape, showcasing the use of chord magnets on the B17 Kalimba. This video, translated and adapted for an English-speaking audience, provides insightful tips on using these magnets to mark chords, enhancing ease of play and chord visualization on the instrument, even in the midst of summer's heat.
The B17 Kalimba, a masterpiece of craftsmanship from Hokema, is made from solid American black cherry wood, polished with natural oils and waxes for a smooth finish. Designed for improvisation and intuitive playing, the B17 is equipped with precisely tuned tines in C-major, making it a versatile instrument for both beginners and seasoned musicians. The addition of colorful magnets aids players in identifying chords quickly, allowing for a seamless musical experience.
Whether you're looking to improvise, play well-known tunes, or explore new scales with the tuning tool, the B17 offers a gateway to a world of musical possibilities, underscored by the serene backdrop of a winter's day.
SPACEDRUM®, the intuitive handpan, is a metal melodic instrument inspired by the original steel drum (aka the steelpan) and by the Hang® invented by PANArt® in 2000. Metal Sounds' handpans have been designed and handcrafted since 2006, and were the first handpan producer in France.
As requirements, tastes, and desires vary, Metal Sounds offers two different lines of handpans:
Uplifting Indigenous Women in the Ecuadorian Amazon
The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International and We Play Well Together are honored to partner with the Kichwa women of Sarayakuin theAmazon rainforest in Ecuador.
We're thrilled to now be supporting this group by importing and selling their beautiful beaded jewelry on our website. We Play Well Together has donated funds to purchase the first round of artwork from the Sarayaku Women in addition to donating website and logistical support to send them to you.
Brandon Blake, a musician, educator, and animal rights activist, showcased a unique musical showcase on Facebook Live during the NAMM 2021 "Believe in Music" week. He demonstrated his versatility with a variety of instruments from the We Play Well Together collection, including Hokema Kalimbas, Metal Sounds Tongue Drums, feeltone Monochords, and Tinka Tongs, alongside his electric bass and live looping techniques. Brandon's approach is innovative, especially his technique with the Hokema Kalimba Sansula, where he simultaneously taps the drumhead and manipulates the metal tines with precision, even retuning on the fly with tiny magnets for instantaneous scale changes.
His live looping sessions create immersive soundscapes that merge the dulcet tones of kalimba, the rhythmic beats of tongue-drums, and the ethereal drone of monochords with deep bass grooves, crafting richly textured musical experiences that resonate on multiple levels. Beyond his musical talents, Brandon's energetic positivity and playful spirit serve as a reminder of the joy and spontaneity of embracing life's "bonus time"—the precious moments we're afforded to live with purpose and passion.
Brandon extends his musical explorations through weekly Facebook Live sessions and by hosting "The Kalimba Campfire" on Clubhouse, inviting all to join and share in the communal joy of music-making. For those interested in connecting with Brandon's work or joining his musical gatherings on Clubhouse, more information is available at his website, www.bonustimemusic.com, showcasing his innovative music and inviting others to explore their own creative expressions within the vibrant community he fosters.
Diving into the craftsmanship behind Metal Sounds' handpans and Zenko tongue drums in the South of France, this video offers a peek behind the curtain of meticulous care, artistry, and technical precision. It showcases the process from hammering and laser-cutting to tuning, capturing the essence of Metal Sounds' commitment to passion, integrity, and quality.
Featured are captivating performances, including contributions from the eclectic Canadian band Walk off the Earth, demonstrating the Spacedrum's versatility in various musical settings, from solo acts to classical ensembles. The video is a testament to the creative potential of Metal Sounds instruments in the hands of artists, inviting viewers into a world where music transcends boundaries.
This 30-minute showcase is a journey through the workshop's inner workings to the global stage, illustrating the Spacedrum's role in pioneering compositions and artistic projects. It's an invitation to explore the possibilities of adding a Spacedrum to your collection, with Metal Sounds offering a range of tunings to match any musical inclination.
Enjoying my Monolini G thoroughly. I have a D Monolina and the addition of the Monolini added another dimension to my playing experience. The D has a rich, grounding tonality and the G compliments that richness with bringing what feels like (to me) a richer expression, adding another range of subtlety and overtones. Beautiful!
