Mountain Music Parlor, Reno, NV
The Magic of Sound at Mountain Music Parlor
At We Play Well Together, we cherish our partnerships with passionate music lovers who share our vision of bringing people together through sound. One such cherished partnership is with Mountain Music Parlor, a gem in Reno, Nevada, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Traditional American Music. For years, Mountain Music Parlor has carried Hokema Kalimbas, introducing countless customers to the enchanting world of these beautifully crafted instruments.
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Renee Lauderback, co-founder of Mountain Music Parlor, about their story, their mission, and why Hokema Kalimbas have become a staple in their store. Read below what she said:
Can you tell us a little about your store?
Surprisingly Mountain Music Parlor, planted smack dab right in the heart of the city, is Reno's first and only Traditional American Music house dedicated to teaching, presenting, and preserving the treasured heritage music of America's roots.
And that "surprise" is constantly being expressed by just about everyone who walks through the door in the form of delight, excitement and inspiration. Out-of-towners mourn with total envy that such a place doesn't exist in their own town, wishing deeply that one did.
The immediate awe of being surrounded by beautiful silver-rimmed banjos, luscious mandolins and fiddles, entrancing dobros and uniquely distinct instruments is overwhelming and wonderful, no doubt. But it's also the positive vibe, the feeling of LIFE IN music, all that is warmly therapeutic exuding community care, that really hits their hearts.
Mountain Music Parlor is more than a gift to the community, it's an honoring of time-worn traditions, heritage, and the beauty of relationships. A love affair with life.
Why did you decide to carry We Play Well Together instruments in your store?
One of our customers brought Hokema Sansula Basic Kalimba to the store, and I immediately fell in love with the sound. It sounded so pure and magical, and it hit me directly in my heart. I wanted to share this with my customers.
What has been your customer’s reaction to the kalimbas and do they have a favorite model?
A special customer and friend brought in a Hokema Sansula Kalimba for me to see. This was my first time ever experiencing one, and uncontrollably I fell in love with it!
Inquisitively strange turned to amazement as I touched and pulled down the tines. So pure and magical was it's tone, unlike any I've ever heard. Its tonal waves literally flowed into my chest.
With zero hesitation, even though this 'thing' wasn't an instrument associated with American heritage, I knew bringing Hokema Kalimbas into Mountain Music Parlor would not be a mistake.
I was right. Customers love them. With a demonstration, putting one into their hands, they soon realize these kalimbas are NOT just an 'instrument' but a soothing mystical tool that breaks through their false belief that they lack musical talent. They find relief!
Kalimbas are freeing, an uninhibiting heart instrument, like the Native flute. Healing.
Who are your typical customers that buy kalimbas?
Therapists and teachers buy and love them for their students. They are easy, yet very special gifts. One that soothes and becomes cherished.
Where can people find you?
You can find us at: 735 S. Center Street, Reno, Nevada mountainmusicparlor.com Instagram: @mountainmusicparlorreno, Facebook: @mountainmusicparlor
We are so grateful to be part of this journey with Mountain Music Parlor and to see the joy that Hokema Kalimbas bring to their community.
Blog posts
Explore our Earth (C-Major) Collection
All of our instrument groups: Monochord, Tinka Tongs, Kalimbas & Sansulas, Koshi and Zaphir Chimes and Zenko metal drums are available in this tuning
Explore our Air (A-minor) Collection
The products are already available and the videos going to be released Spring 2025
Explore our Water (d-minor) Collection
Learn more about the Instruments of this collection and watch our bautiful videos
Explore our Fire (G-Major) Collection
The products are already available and the videos going to be released Spring 2025
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.
Hokema kalimbas are as nice sounding as any I have ever heard. WPWT provides fast shipping and quick responses to inquires.
Enjoyable to use and very good quality for more percussive techniques.
These chimes are exquisite, and We Play Well Together is a great company to purchase from.
Highly recommended!
I have a Monolina for my Sound Healing practice, but wanted a monilini for myself. I am so happy with my purchase. It is perfect!
I bought a Sansula deluxe at We play well together. The service was exceptionnal and I received it within 4 days. The Sansula's sound is simply magic. So rich and vibrant. It creates an ambiance of it's own.
Really happy and satisfied about this purchase.
I just took the week-long monochord training with Joule and fell in love with my Monolina. Joule is a fun, engaging and knowledgeable teacher who brings deep reverence to her instruments and the art of playing them. We got to experiment with and experience all the different ways of expressing through our monochords and came away with a proven, complete and beautiful 45-minute session we can now offer. I highly recommend this class.
Quick delivery, wonderful company and lovely instrument!
It is always a pleasure to speak to Gabriella and her customer service is top notch
this set is legit sounds like little angels 😇
I am new to the Monolina world but have been around stringed instruments all my life. I'm so excited about its possibilities as a solo instrument for use in Reiki, as well as in an ensemble setting. It helps me to meditate as well.
R
Used Monolina XL Low C We have a full set of crystal bowls, and the low C monochord adds a wonderful depth to their sounding. I also find myself humming/singing over the low C drone in a quite natural way. Very happy with my new instrument.
I've wanted to purchase a Sansula ever since I first heard one, two years ago. I finally purchased one and upon receiving it was disappointed in it's sound. Customer service was extremely helpful and promptly replaced it. Couldn't have been a better experience. I highly recommend the instrument and the company is top notch.
Works well. Delighted to have the ability to tune my Sansula myself.
We Play well together has been a resource for instruments for, at least, 5 years. The quality of the instruments, customer service, kindness and expertise of the staff has been a huge bonus and blessing in our interactions. I am grateful for their service, friendliness and flexibility. thank you so very much VLamura
These mallets are super fun to use and I love the sounds they create. I purchased a pair of each set of mallets and I love them all so much, I'm planning on keeping the pair I thought I would send back originally.
I have a set and love these so much. They are well made, and the sound is solid and carries well in small and large spaces. Highly recommend!
Wonderful instrument. It’s easy to travel with and well crafted. Customer service is wonderful as well. Very responsive. I am always impressed with the attention to customer service and care of the instruments. This instruments complement my crystal singing bowls and monalina nicely.
My G Monolina is perfect! Beautiful to play in a group, as well as on the body.
Absolutely in love, but should have ordered the bag! Ordering it now as it is was too fragile to travel with without the bag.
The instrument brigs such an amazing quality and super easy to play
I recently purchased a D Monolina. Meditative and meditative; a full immersion sound experience that simply wraps you in a beautiful feeling and sound. What an incredible instrument this is! I highly recommend purchasing one, or more, for meditation, relaxation, or sound baths.
This set elevates one’s instruments to the next level. Having all these components really sets one up for success and allows room for growth to grow into your sound practice.
The versatility that comes with having the leg extensions allows the player to be comfortable in a variety of ways while playing. The mallets add additional ways to play.
Tuning is a breeze with the template. When not being played or on the go with this monolina, the mats keep everything safe and the backpack makes it so you can take it to the studio or out into nature to play.
I can’t say enough great things about it, it’s a must have in the sound tool kit for sure.
The floor model sale price feels too good to be true for such a fabulous instrument. So easy to create varied, beautiful sounds. This is the 3rd instrument I've purchased from WPWT and they're always efficient, friendly and helpful.