Kalimba Campfire: A Monthly Social Audio Play Gathering
First Wednesday of the month live on Zoom and Clubhouse App
5-6pm PT, 6-7pm MT, 7-8pm CT, 8-9 EST
Gather ‘round the fire & sip cocoa to the sweetest of sounds! Kick back as tinkling Kalimba serenades your soul under the stars. Bring your instrument to play or relax to metal tine melody morsels 💫🎶
Our little "campfire of the imagination" is a place of belonging hosted by our Wellness Percussion teacher Brandon Blake almost weekly since 2021, and will now take place monthly simultaneously on Zoom and the original version on the social audio app Clubhouse.
Because there's no video, you can show up in your pajamas for our late-night imaginary campfire to play kalimba, other instruments, or just listen to us talk story and play. This is the comfiest of spaces for you to gently try stuff out in front of others - including songs or just intuitively plucking some good notes on the kalimba! This is a fun immersive experience - one that is sometimes quite profound and sometimes downright silly (we follow the group vibe to see what we're needing collectively on a given gathering.) You can just listen safely from the audience or participate "on stage". We welcome all levels of players from novice, to improvisers to expert musicians.
Or: Listen to FULL AUDIO recordings from the last Campfires below!
These audio recordings are hosted on SoundCloud and feature all those who played during our live gatherings along with our unedited conversations, deep thoughts, silly banter, warm fuzzy vibes, audio hugs and high fives. This is the full long-form messy version - just like it is live.
Dive into the depths of sound therapy with "Professional Monochord Training for Sound Baths & Sound Therapy" led by Joule L'Adara in the scenic Hudson Valley, NY. As the official USA feeltone Monochord trainer, Joule unveils the secrets of playing monochords with more depth, musicality, and nuance.
The training emphasizes the transformative power of monochords as mindfulness tools, guiding participants through skillful techniques that elicit relaxation and evoke emotional responses.
This intimate workshop not only boosts your playing skills but also enriches the experiences you offer your clients and audience, allowing you to master the subtle art of sound healing.
In this introspective piece by Feeltone Trainer Joule L'Adara, the transformative power of sound and monochord practice is explored as a profound method for navigating challenging times. Beginning 2020 with optimism, Joule's world turned inward with the onset of the pandemic, leading to an enhanced sensory experience and deeper internal life amidst isolation. The importance of daily practices, particularly movement, sound, and voice, became paramount, serving not just as routines but as essential tools for mental and emotional survival.
Joule discusses the necessity of acknowledging the body's alarm signals during real danger and the benefits of engaging directly with these signals for true comfort and action. The piece also touches on the Iso Principle from music therapy, which suggests meeting a person's current emotional state with matching sound rhythms, then gradually moving them to a more relaxed state. Joule describes using the monochord to express a range of emotions vigorously before transitioning to more soothing, meditative playing, illustrating a process of emotional release and calming that mirrors this principle.
A guided 15-minute monochord practice is offered, starting with 5 minutes of expressive, passionate play, followed by 5 minutes of transitioning to steady, calming rhythms, and concluding with 5 minutes of silent meditation. This practice is recommended daily for coping with stress and difficulty, underscoring the monochord's role as a therapeutic instrument for emotional expression and healing.
Feeltone US Trainer Joule L'Adara shares insights from her transformative experience with the "Secrets of the Monochord" training, emphasizing the deeper connection and mindfulness achieved through playing the feeltone Monolina. Despite her extensive musical and therapeutic background, attending the workshop revealed the importance of presence and listening beyond mere playing techniques.
The training, created by Martina Gläser, delves into the subtleties of sound energy and its therapeutic effects, focusing on attunement and the capacity to receive. L'Adara highlights the workshop's emphasis on discerning subtle energy shifts and co-creating with the instrument, marking a shift from performance to partnership with the monochord. The course offers a comprehensive exploration of the monochord, including care, tuning, and therapeutic applications, but prioritizes the experiential process of engaging with sound as a pathway to mindfulness and energy transmission.
The experience underscores the universal value of the monochord in teaching mindfulness and the profound impact of shared harmonic vibrations in group settings.
I’m loving this kalimba!
However, the highest note does not ring like the rest. And the third to highest note is ever so slightly flat.
But I know I’m going to love her.
Hokema - B17 MINI in C-Major
John S.
The B-17 Mini is a delightful instrument.
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 - B17 MINI in C-Major
Heide S.
Monochord Training Level 1 and 2
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.
In-Person Monochord Training - Reserve your Spot $100 deposit toward the training fee of $700 per Level ($1400 for Intensive Week)
Gina L.
Hokema kalimba b17
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.
Hokema Kalimbas and Sansulas Showroom sale
Rachel N.
Life changing vibration
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.
Absolutely stunning craftsmanship in every way!- sounds almost angelic, and so mesmerizing ... feels wonderful on my body. Delightful playing experience. Everything was packaged with the upmost care. Came with tuner as well as spare strings, mallet, and accessories!
Exceeded all my expectations, which were already high. This Monolina is so meticulously crafted and well made. I wish I could purchase one for every tuning. A lovely instrument that is clearly built to endure generations.
My binural tongue drum is so so beautiful. I’m very happy with it and the sound is amazing, healing, engaging transformative! I always have the best experience with everyone at Weplaywelltogther! I’m always supported and well guided by Joule and Gabriele.
