How to use a Monolina & Monolini Body Therapy Monochords for Sound Massage
This photo series shows you examples of how to place the "body monochords" - including the Monolini and the Monolina - onto the physical body for a sound massage session.
Because the feeltone Monochords have a convex shape, the instrument is like a boat that floats atop any size or shape body. Placing the monochord on the torso will allow the body to feel the vibrations most intensively. With the body in a supine position, the monochord can be placed horizontally or vertically across the body. We recommend a continuous playing style of strumming with a very light touch. As the sound is felt through the resonance of the wood, playing too robustly can be very invigorating! A gentle way of playing is recommended for most therapeutic applications, to entrain the breath and heart to a rate of calm and ease.
The instruments can also be placed on the lower body, where the sensations are felt up and down the legs and into the pelvis and hips.
With the body in a prone position, the monochord can be placed on the back and played. For some clients this intensifies the vibrations that are felt up and down the spine. Others may find the sensations to be more subtle when played upon the back body. This position can induce a deep state of relaxation.
Certain clients may find it more comfortable to lie upon their side, stretching out the back while the instrument is played whilst leaning up against the body. This can create a feeling of comfort if it's not easeful for them to lie on their stomach.
An incredible experience for many is when they feel the monochord played for the first time on the bottoms of the feet! These vibrations can be so powerful that it's best to offer a single strum played on the feet and then let the sound ring out for a bit (as continuous strumming on the feet may be too stimulating.)
The monochord can also be played on the bottoms of the feet with the client in the prone position by propping the monochord up against the feet on an angle. This positioning allows the sound to travel up the body.
Finally, it's possible to play the monochord therapeutically for oneself! As it's not easy to be both active and passive at the same time, we recommend strumming the instrument on the in-breath, and then taking a moment to relax completely on the out-breath as the sound continues to vibrate. Only when the sound has decayed completely should one actively strum again, and then once again release to relax and receive. This can be a wonderful meditation experience where the instrument becomes like a duet partner.
The Monolina and Monolini monochords are built to the same length but are of a different widths. The Monolini has 21 strings playing a root note, an octave and a fifth, and the Monolina has 34 strings in the same arrangement plus a set of 5 bridges that allow one to create melodic accents.
If you're looking for a versatile monochord that you'd like to play therapeutically as well as musically, the Monolina is the right instrument for you .
Don't know how to start? We put together a handy How to chose a monochord guide for you
If you're mainly using your monochord as a drone to be played on the body for sound massage and are looking for a smaller more portable monochord the Monolini is right for you. (note the Monolinis are the same tuning as the Monolinas - just a smaller size instrument.)
For both sizes of these monochords the A and C tunings are a bit higher and lilting with more audible overtones, whereas the G, F, and D tunings are lower tones with stronger physical vibrations experienced on the body. In this series, the D monochord is the lowest tuned instrument with the the most bass and and an earthy quality.
Our office is in California near San Francisco and we're working with different therapists, musicians, and music stores where you can experience our instruments all over the country.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you have a question.
We have a thriving Monochord community with monthly free Zoom meetups, a content library, and intensive trainings one can attend if you're wanting a deeper dive on how to create overtones with these beautiful instruments.
Looking forward to connect with you and help you find your perfect feeltone Monochord Companion...
Your We Play Well Together Team!
Blog posts
Explore our Earth (C-Major) Collection
All of our instrument groups: Monochord, Tinka Tongs, Kalimbas & Sansulas, Koshi and Zaphir Chimes are available in this tuning
Explore our Air (A-minor) Collection
All of our instrument groups: Monochord, Tinka Tongs, Kalimbas & Sansulas, Koshi and Zaphir Chimes are available in this tuning
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 Autumn 2025
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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.
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