How do you learn how to play an “intuitive” instrument?
By Feeltone US Trainer Joule L'Adara
When I first attended the “Secrets of the Monochord” training, it was after I had already been playing my feeltone Monolina for 3 years. Initially I’d been invited to help translate the workshop from German as the instructor who beautifully created this course, Martina Gläser (having grown up in the former East Germany where Russian was taught in school) doesn’t speak English. Attending this weekend intensive was for me (mind you) after obtaining a Masters degree in Music, having “achieved”: years of voice lessons, piano lessons, music theory, a technical diploma in audio engineering, multiple sound healing certifications, being a Reiki Master, and having developed my own group vocal sound facilitation method I was teaching through workshops and intensive retreats. So when I came across the Feeltone monochords, I thought I only needed to tune this instruments, start strumming them, and glorious tones would emerge. (Partly) this was (totally) true.
I loved the feeltone Instruments from the first moment I was introduced to them back in 2006 at a sound healing conference. My first encounter with the portable Monolini was at my 2011 sound retreat I produced in Hawaii, during which we incorporated the monochord into our group vocal protocol. Playing monochord seemed pretty simple: basically you take your fingers and strum them across the strings. There didn’t seem to be much more to it than that, and when I later interviewed the maker of the Instruments, Ingo Böheme, on my radio show, he’d explained he founded his company with the vision of creating instruments anyone could pick up and play instantly and which have no “wrong notes.” For me, the monochord tone produced a beautiful background drone to my free-form vocalizing. I loved using it in both group sound work and in one-on-one healing sessions that I combined with Reiki and the Acutonics Tuning forks in which I’d also undergone training to know how to use on acupuncture points.
So when it came time to fly to Miami to learn the “Secrets of the Monochord” in a weekend intensive taught by the instrument builder's wife Martina, I was asking myself, “What the heck do we ‘learn’ about playing this instrument for 2.5 days- let alone what would she teach in the “upper level” advanced classes she offers in Germany?
I’m happy to share I was pleasantly surprised. Martina’s course as it turned out, was much less about “mastering playing techniques” (though it does introduce different playing possibilities) and more about gaining mastery over one’s presence by deepening one’s personal relationship to subtle energy. While anyone can strum a monochord, there are certain ways of playing it that elicit a relaxation response in those listening by entraining the brain to meditative states. This workshop was about going beyond mere ego-level improvisation, to develop the awareness of what you are doing, what the effect is, how to reliably recreate it again and again, and ultimately to learn how to bring archetypal forms through sound variations. I discovered tiny changes in parameters could create totally different responses in the body and that the key to mastering these subtle variations was to be able to listen with focused expanded awareness. I came to understand that “Presence" - that illusive but all-important mindfulness concept- came not from pushing one’s energy to be a certain way, but rather from emptying out and thus increasing one’s capacity to receive.
I left the training having felt the monochord and I had been on a couple’s counseling retreat. “OMG!”, I imagined saying to my Monolina, “I’ve been playing you all this time but I haven’t really been LISTENING to you! I’ve been singing over you when all along you had a LOT more to say.” In my mind, I could hear “her” answering, “Yes, Joule: I’ve been waiting patiently all this time just wanting your to HEAR me: to hear the subtleties of the overtones and to sing WITH me in duet instead of over me. I’m so grateful that now we get to co-create together!”
The following year, I attended and translated for this live workshop again after which Martina expressed her wish for me to teach an all-English version of the workshop in the US. I was humbled she would pass her “baby” (the training) on to me and entrust me with bringing through my version of her vision: a magical weekend deep-dive into the current of sound.
(Martina Gläser and I in 2015)
In this course Martina created and which I now have the privilege of teaching regularly in New York, one learns the basics of the monochord: how to tune it, how to care for it, how to change a string, how to play it on a body, how to play it in group, how to pace yourself, and yes, some different playing techniques. However, much more important than technique is the ability to discern, to feel, to allow the music to flow through you, to deepen the ability to transmit energy in the form of acoustic vibration. It’s something that has to be experienced in real time, and being in a live group with these instruments invites the possibility of initiation and attunement: where the group-playing creates an amplifying effect as the combined energy comes into cohesiveness via the stacking of harmonics. The monochord itself functions in this way and the effect grows exponentially with a group playing in unison. Participants emerge from this workshop feeling expanded, whole, clear, creative. The energy coming through the instruments brings the body/mind/spirit into alignment while opening your inner ear to be able to listen deeper and receive more. It is a process of unfoldment that accelerates over two days.
I’m always amazed when trained and accomplished solo musicians come out of this course having gained new perspectives they can apply to their art. Practicing Music Therapists have likewise as much to learn about simplicity and the effects of subtle energy as complete beginners who know nothing about music prior to touching this instrument. Here we find a level playing field where all are welcome and everyone has something to gain.
Monochords are the ultimate mindfulness teachers. Setting their strings into motion initiates a process of beautiful unraveling, peeling away the layers of “knowing” until what’s left is an openness to what is coming through in the moment. Even if we think we know, that practice of unknowing is the “secret” that opens up all the dormant possibilities within us.
CE Credits for this course can be obtained - inquire for more information.
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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.
My first experience with a Hokema Kalimba was at the gift shop of the Music Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ. I was blown away by the big, beautiful sound of those instruments, but I wasn’t ready to plunk down $200 for it.
Fast forward, I read about the Twin Kalimba and was encouraged by a review that suggested it was great for events. This particular person, evidently a musician like me, gave out ten of these during his shows and was thrilled by how the audience members enjoyed the experience.
So, given these two experiences, I had high hopes for the twin.
It is a sweet sounding instrument, but the sound is very quiet. The wood is solid so it doesn’t resonate like its higher priced solo cousins (that feature a resonator) or traditional kalimbas that have found holes.
So, I’m a little underwhelmed by the sound, but it’s still a great concept. Perhaps it will be fine and dandy when I share it with audiences. Let’s see!
Joule is an excellent teacher! Her lessons flow from topic to exercises with so much ease and class time is so enjoyable. Joule makes sure everyone's questions are answered before going to the next lesson. Before this training, I had no idea of all the many different ways to play the monochord. After this course, I now have so much more knowledge and I'm able to tap into my creativity with a deeper love and appreciation with this beautiful instrument.
I love the "water" collection and this chime is one of my favourite instruments (so far!). The D minor tuning is said to be the "saddest" key, but I find it soothing, ethereal, and utterly charming. The gentle tones of this chime bring gentle, meditative tones. Do yourself a favour if you can and get the matching Koshi chime. They sound absolutely amazing together!
Thank you for sending me the Hokema Sansula Deluxe. I am enjoying the unique sound as I relate it to similarly designed instruments in parts of Africa. It creates a beautiful sound world with which you can improvise and expand infinitely. I will be using the small ones for my gatherings. It's a beautiful instrument and as I explore and improvise with it, I'm sure I will find something new that I will want to share with you. - Kevin Nathaniel
Wonderful, perfect to play on top and bring my sansula basic everywhere!
It’s my first Kalimba and I absolutely love how it sounds, such a magical instrument
Never got the delivery
Hi Dimitri ,
It looks like the tracking information indicates your package was delivered to your mailbox. Could you check to see if perhaps a neighbor might have picked it up by mistake?
If you still can't locate it, no worries at all—just let us know, and please provide a secure shipping address where we can resend your item.
Looking forward to resolving this for you!
Warm regards,
Gabriele
This is a very beautiful chime that I can play with my Aqua Zenko Element (432Hz), Aqua Tinka Tong (432Hz), & my Aqua Hokema B5 Kalimba (432Hz) with a little help from my friends. Of course, I can mix & match the chimes with other elemental instruments & be amazed by the way that the sounds blend perfectly.
This is my favorite chime that I play before bed for a more restful sleep. I have noticed a little hum with beautiful overtones & undertones when moved around in a circular motion that I particularly enjoy. I can play this with my beloved Terra Tinka Tong or my beautiful Hokema B5 Terra Kalimba.
This is a lovely chime that I play with either my Hokema Terra B5 Kalimba or my Ignis Tinka Tong. The great thing about these chimes is that they sound great mixing & matching them with other instruments from WPWT.
I play these chimes for self care before bed for a more restful sleep.
This Kalimba is pleasing to the eye because of the cut & quality of the cherry wood. The size is perfect for small hands such as mine. I particularly love the Terra Tuning & fell instantly in love with this Kalimba that reminds me of a music box when played.
I also received the Aqua B5 Hokema Kalimba which is equally as beautiful as the Terra.
The Aqua Kalimba completes my Aqua Elemental Soundscape bundle. I cannot say how much I have loved jamming with my set.
This B5 Kalimba may be small, but its sound output is excellent & the tone is perfect. The B5 Kalimba can also be paired with the matching Koshi Chime & easily played. I think that I prefer the size of the B5 Kalimba & would highly recommend it for sound & ease of play.
Thanks & best wishes to the WPWT team.
All that I can say is that I love my Koshi Chimes. Each Elemental Chime is unique & complete in its own light tinkling playful sound & becomes even more beautiful in the complexity of two chimes paired together. I particularly enjoy the calming quality of Aqua & Aria. I also like the joyfulness & energy of Ignis & Terra as they are played together. I bought the Koshi Chimes because they were highly recommended for their durability & because they never go out of tune. I also like the earthiness of the color of bamboo. One day I might like to pair Koshi Chimes with a pop of color from matching Zaphir Chimes.
Now let me throw in the beauty of the B5 Hokema Kalimbas - Terra & Aqua as they are paired with their companion Koshi Chimes. I have small hands & can easily hold & play the B5 Kalimba as I am holding the chime of the same tone in the other hand. This is indeed as lovely as the Elemental Soundscape video.
I like to play the Koshi Chimes before I go to bed as it helps to empty my mind, offer relaxation & sounder sleep.
My thanks again to the WPWT team for providing yet another pleasant experience as I keep adding to my ever growing collection of musical instruments.
The packages arrived in a timely manner and packaged with care. The instrument had the richest tone and a divine frequency, I look forward to using this for sound journeys.