The Monchair - Monochord Singing Chair is handcrafted in Germany. The monchair enables an exceptional full-body experience of sound, vibration, and sound massage. Easy to play, and anyone can use it intuitively without any prior musical experience. Monchair effectively supports your therapeutic work bringing joy and delight.
Where the monochord chair is used: Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Sound Healing, Sound Meditation, and other Therapeutic Therapies.
Tambura tuning: 40 strings = 10 sets of 4 strings (A d d D) repeated
Omchair tuning: 40 strings = 18 strings high C# in the middle, both sides: 8 Bass C#, 1 high octave fifth G#, 1 Bass fifth G#, 1 Bass C#
Size: 28.5" x 26" x 50"
Included:
Free 30-minute online training
Tuner, tuning instrument, and some replacement strings
Strings and Tuning: the first part of the video shows monochord tuning; at 3:04, Tanpura tuning.
Strum on the strings close to the bridge of the monochord to create sounds rich in overtones. Strum in the middle and the sound is more even. At first, it seems like you hear only one tone, but as your mind relaxes, you can notice a full variety of tones and overtones that weave a wistful and subtle melody. It creates a sound experience much like that of a gong.
Approaching the chair with a gentle and supportive attitude can bring joy and healing to your client. The singing chair will captivate you with its elegant appearance and design. It is the perfect fit for a variety of locations: modern offices, clinics, therapeutic facilities, private practices, wellness centers, and your own home.
Features and Dimensions
Weight capacity of 330 lbs
Stable design to avoid over-stimulation of the equilibrium through combining the effects of sound vibration with chair movement
Ergonomically designed seat
Interchangeable, firmly mounted seat covers
High adjustable neck rest
All surfaces treated with organic oils
German designed and manufactured
Easy to assemble
Small transport volume
Fully assembled: 27.6 x 26 x 50 inches Package size: 52.4 x 25 x 8 inches Weight: 59 lbs (27 kg) Material: Cherrywood and ash
Tambura Tuning: If you strum the strings evenly with your fingers, you will create overtones with rich harmonics. The tones D d d A repeat 10 times across the 40 strings, creating a rich sound environment. It embraces and holds you in a relaxing environment without any prior training. The Tambura-tuned monchair is ideal for settings where the chair is shared by many people — offices, hotels, wellness, and care facilities.
Monochord Tuning: Allows for more nuanced play. The strings are tuned to D and the higher octave d, giving the player more creative possibilities to excite the many finer and subtle overtones. You can vary the pitches and focus on the deeper tones in D, which have more vibration, or string d to create more overtones.
Omchair Tuning: The Omchair has a string order similar to the Monolina — overtone, bass, and a fifth in both the high and low G#. The resulting sound works simultaneously to ground and open. Watch the Omchair video and sound sample.
Monchair invites you to enjoy and relax with its sound. A pleasantly vibrating sound carpet entices you to stop time and listen deeply. Only 5 minutes are enough for calmness to return, thoughts to quiet, breathing and heart rate to regulate. Relaxation happens on all levels in a light, almost playful way. Sounds gently touch and vibrations massage, vitalize, and promote a presence that we so often long for.
When played for a longer time, the sound easily leads to meditative states for both player and played. The body becomes a resonance chamber and is perceived more consciously. Monchair becomes especially valuable in therapeutic and pedagogical use — the monochord sounds support your work and stimulate the self-healing powers.
Finest feeltone craftsmanship, made of high-quality materials, lovingly manufactured from the plank to the stringing in northeast Germany by the beautiful Baltic Sea.
Clinical Reviews
"The feeltone Monochord Singing Chair has served as an important instrument to the patients we serve at The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center.
There are numerous patients who have benefited from the breath glissando release sounds I use accompanied by the string glissando — from low to high and then absorption… where the strings resonate and saturate through the warm wood into the body. In a general way, this warm up takes only about five minutes and creates 'flow' and a sense of 'homeostasis' or 'self integration' or 'synchrony between the body-mind-spirit' as one of my pianist musician players often says."
"I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Ingo, Martina and the team from feeltone that helped me realize my dream of finding an elegant, comfortable office chair and a versatile therapeutic sound instrument, all in one. Over the years, I have incorporated sound in my practice for tonal regulation, body awareness, and sensory perception. monchair both doubles as an office space saver and a therapeutic vibrational treatment chair for my patients. Because of its space-saving feature, I can also use the overtone-rich Monochord instruments while the client is in a seated position. Playing them on monchair allows me to quickly get my clients into a relaxed state without the need to change position. The harmonious sounds support my work with more ease and bring joy to myself and my clients."
Our feeltone sound chair in monochord tuning has up to 30 overtone strings in c and 30 bass strings in C behind the backrest. Alternatively, this classic sound chair is also available in tambura tuning C, c, c, g. Special features of our sound chairs:
Up to 10 tons of tension weight of the strings on a wooden body - without using metal.
With a load capacity of up to 150 kg, all feeltone sound chairs maintain their tuning stability with ease.
In the case of the classic sound chair, the two sides keep the back panel tuning stable and provide great security for the person sitting on it.
The curved back surface on the monchair sound chair, shaped by us, ensures the best sound, ergonomic sitting and absolute high tuning stability.
Despite a tensile weight of the strings of up to 10 tons on the wooden body - we do not use metal for stabilization.
Thanks to special processing methods, worldwide shipping and many years of stability in all climatic zones are possible.
The strings of our sound chairs are gently and evenly bowed, setting the whole chair in vibration so that the sound guest is also lovingly touched by it. While seated, the body retains a certain control, in contrast to the lying position on the monchord table it is deeply moved and yet remains alert.
Discover the feeltone Singing Chair Experience
Take a seat in our feeltone sound chair and find your perfect sitting position within its resonance zone. As the sound envelops you like an invisible cocoon, you quickly begin to feel its vibrations throughout your entire body, reaching deep into your bones. You become one with the instrument.
Almost immediately, your muscles start to relax, your heart rate slows, and your everyday worries melt away. A profound sense of "coming home" washes over you. This is the natural, soothing power of the feeltone sound chair, effortlessly restoring your inner balance.
After your session, you’ll feel deeply rested, relaxed, and re-energized, as if you’ve tapped into a new source of vitality. It’s a small miracle for those who have never experienced it before.
Our sound chairs embody the essence of feeltone—"feel the sound"—perfected for various living and working environments. Whether for personal relaxation or professional applications, the feeltone sound chair brings the harmonious benefits of sound therapy into your daily life.
Behind the scenes - the history of the feeltone sound chair
The Timeless feeltone Singing Chair
Originally developed in 2003 by Ingo Böhme and Martina Gläser-Böhme, the classic feeltone sound chair features a conservative design that has won the favor of many institutions. Its unique functionality and wooden side panels provide a secure environment, preventing the occupant from falling out. This allows complete immersion in the relaxation process, even making it safe to fall asleep. Every feeltone sound chair is built with utmost stability and a secure stand, ensuring a reliable experience for all users.
The Modern Evolution: feeltone Sound Chair Monchair
Introducing the feeltone sound chair monchair—a modern interpretation of the classic design. Created over a meticulous four-year development period, this innovative chair features no right angles, presenting a unique challenge for any carpenter. Despite its unconventional shape, the monchair is fully functional, extremely robust, and stable. Each chair is crafted 100% in our workshop, embodying the perfected blend of tradition and innovation.
Experience the seamless integration of classic stability and modern design with the feeltone sound chair monchair, and discover a new dimension of relaxation and sound therapy.
Care Instructions
The monochords of our sound chairs require only little care and should be treated as carefully as other (string) instruments.
Our tips so that you can enjoy them for a long time:
The wood of the sound chair does not need to be treated or cared for. If water gets on it, wipe it off immediately. Possible stains can be removed with an oily cloth (hard oil, or transparent cooking oil if necessary).
The strings will tarnish over time, especially the wound ones. This is not rust, but oxidized deposits from your fingers that collect between the windings when you play. It helps to always wash your hands before playing. To polish the strings, you can buy products in guitar shops.
It is not necessary to replace the strings, because they are - unlike guitar strings - quite gently stretched and can last forever. If strings break, you can replace them with original feeltone strings. They were developed especially for us, so the sound of the instrument is at its best with the strings designed for it.
To prevent rapid detuning due to weather conditions, we recommend covering the sound chair with a soft cloth. Please avoid direct sunlight when setting up the instrument.
The Monochord Singing Chair: Resonance in Music Therapy, by: Joanne Loewy DA, LCAT, MT-BC, Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine
The Vibration Singing Chair, from feeltone, has served as an important instrument to the patients we serve at The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center.
How the MonChair by feeltone plays well with other instruments in C#
One of our practioners shares with us how she uses the MonChair in a group setting: inviting one participant at a time to sit in the chair while she strums the monochord on the back, while the others circle around the chair listening to the sounds. Each person has a few minutes in the chair
Unfortunately these wonderful creations are outside my budget but, today, I got to sit in one and I have to say it was one of the most pleasant experiences I have had in a long time. Energy work is not for everyone, my friend with me had to stand up and move away from the vibrations.
Personally, I am a trained spiritual healer and also trained in Reiki. I am an intuitive and Medium. I have used drums for my own benefit and learned through the amazing Arthur Hull to be certified in Drum Circle Facilitation.
Music, in whichever form, is all about vibration. We benefit from 'good vibrations' as the Beach Boys shared with us soooooo many years ago.
These incredible seats hold you in an embrace of comfort and energy that had an incredibly uplifting and relaxing effect on me today. If it is in your budget then I would highly recommend these.
C
Cynthia Q.
Integration plus!
I am so pleased with the addition of the Monchair in my healing practice treatment room. It works so effectively at calming a client who is nervous or anxiety ridden so that we can proceed to the treatment table with out a long process of relaxation. Just 5 mins is really all that is needed. The chair takes up about the amount of space a comfortable chair might take and is very pleasant to look at. A lot of folks do not even realize where the music is coming from until I show them the strings! One of my clients only wants the chair when she comes for treatments and I am happy to play for her session for an hour. Playing also puts me in a beautiful space to do my work. I often use it for integration after a particularly intense healing process and people are able to integrate and ground much quicker with the vibrations the chair runs through their body.
B
Bo L.N.
Monochord Table
I have worked with the monochord table for several years with individuals. The depth and extend of the effect from the table is absolutely amazing. The monochord table gives a full physical and energetic body tuning and harmonization.
It is truly like nothing else you have ever tried!
I give my highest recommendation to feeltone instruments, specially the monochord table!
Bo L Nielsen, San Diego California
Let customers speak for us
from 156 reviews
A brand new Monolina owner who is very happy
I have only had my Monolina C for about 10 days, and already I have fallen in love with it. The craftsmanship is beautiful. I purchased the legs and travel bag as well, and yesterday traveled with it to visit a friend who is recovering from surgery. I tried out the placement of the monolina on her body, and she said it felt amazing and reduced her level of discomfort tremendously! I also really appreciate the excellent customer service from Gabriele, who helped me with some questions about purchasing, and then with some initial tuning questions. I was also able to attend one of the Monochord Monday Meet-Ups, which I found very inspiring. I highly recommend both this company and the high quality instruments!
I run this kalimba through effects pedals and get some amazing soundscapes with it. Very versatile and beautiful. Highly recommended. I appreciate that we play well together carries these wonderful instruments. Highly recommended.
A beautiful Kalimba. I run this through effects pedals and you can do some amazing musical soundscapes with it. I would certainly buy again. I appreciate weplaywelltogether carrying and shipping this item. Highly recommended.
A delicate and elegant musical instrument. I like that it is tuned to key of C. It is not for leaving outside on the patio, but rather kept with other musical instruments. I love the sound of it with my kalimba.
I loves these, perfect to my steel tongue drum. The sound they produce is stunning. These are a must have. Good size and weight. Excellent Product!! The customer service help from these ladies is top notch. 💯 Thank you so much.
The monolini is an exquisite instrument with resonance that invites peace and well being. Thank you to Gabriele for our conversation and welcome into a community of like-minded people.
I had purchased the Sansula Basic on the recommendation of Laura Inserra - sound alchemist. I loved the tone and used it regularly in my classes. I purchased the padded case and all was well until it slipped out of my hand onto my yoga mat and to my dismay the membrane exploded into many pieces - I was both shocked and very disappointed.
I called the company right away and the owner explained I would have been better choosing the more robust version as I was transporting it regularly and that the basic model is much more delicate and is more suitable for studio work. As repairing mine would involve costly shipping back and forth to Germany, she recommended I purchase the Renaissance model at the repair program discounted price, which I did.
So lesson learned, buy the more robust models if you plan to use the Sansula in classes or for travel. Thank you We Play Well Together.
I recently purchased the monolina and I am extremely satisfied. The customer service was outstanding and the product arrived very fast and in perfect condition. Highly recommended!
When I first heard the Monalina at a sound bath I knew I had to have one. I bought one in F just to hear it. And then for Christmas my wife found Joules online course and signed me up for it. I was hesitant at first because I was just strumming it for fun, but I knew that the people that were taking her course would actually be utilizing it more fully than me. I was also nervous because I hadn’t played any instrument in front of people in quite a number of years. But Joule made me feel comfortable and relaxed and made the whole group feel as though that we were one in experiencing the weekend together. It was wonderful and I will never forget one minute of it. Plus as a trained musician it was nice that she actually has a musical education because then I knew that she knew not only how to play the instrument and how to get the most out of it but also the science behind the sound. I wouldn’t change a thing and she did a wonderful wonderful presentation. She was so into it. It was so much fun!
I am very pleased with my new Renaissance Sansula. I purchased it as a replacement to my Sansula Basic after the synthetic head on the basic broke after 3 years of use.
The offer from WePlayWellTogether and Hokema to upgrade to the Renaissance is much appreciated as I love this little instrument. I hope it last me a good long time.
Great quality, so grateful to have had the chance to invest in this! It's sound is so clear! i am glad i went with the renaissance edition. Such a perfect and soothing sound.
In my younger days (I am 83 now) I played the organ and piano. Some time ago I decided to try playing a kalimba where I could sit and play from my recliner. I tried a couple of the inexpensive kalimbas made in China. They were terrible with some dead tines and tuning issues that could not be fixed. So I purchased a Hokema B17 kalimba from WePlayWellTogether and Wow! What a difference. It was tuned to perfection with no dead tines. Having a hearing deficiency, I added a pickup to the back of the kalimba and plugged it into a small battery-powered amplifier. Perfect! I also like the solid body kalimba much better than the hollow box types. I enjoyed the B17 so much that I purchased the smaller Hokema B11 with the built in pickup. Another fantastic kalimba. Now I have two kalimbas, one tuned to C Major and one tuned to G Major. Just to show how much I am enjoying these wonderful Hokema kalimbas, this week I ordered the B15 and electric B9 to add to my collection. WePlayWellTogether has been a great resource for my new hobby. The kalimbas have arrived quickly in perfect condition. A question I had about the scale of the B11 was quickly answered with a booklet sent by the firm at no cost to me. If you are interested in purchasing a kalimba, look no further. Visit the WePlayWellTogether website.
I received my monolini recently and fell in love. My intention is to bring healing to myself and others. This course really brought new understanding to this beautiful instrument. Joule is so authentic and encourages each student. The pace of the two day training is perfect. Plenty of instruction as well as exercises. I highly recommend the course for anyone who is new to this instrument so that they can fully realize its potential. At age 64 having no musical background, I have found an instrument that gives me incredible joy. Also surprisingly confident enough to share with others. Thanks to Joule and her course, I’m deeply in love and have appreciation for the creators, makers, and the wood and metal that makes this instrument possible. I’m looking forward to another Joule training.
I have only had my Monolina C for about 10 days, and already I have fallen in love with it. The craftsmanship is beautiful. I purchased the legs and travel bag as well, and yesterday traveled with it to visit a friend who is recovering from surgery. I tried out the placement of the monolina on her body, and she said it felt amazing and reduced her level of discomfort tremendously! I also really appreciate the excellent customer service from Gabriele, who helped me with some questions about purchasing, and then with some initial tuning questions. I was also able to attend one of the Monochord Monday Meet-Ups, which I found very inspiring. I highly recommend both this company and the high quality instruments!
I run this kalimba through effects pedals and get some amazing soundscapes with it. Very versatile and beautiful. Highly recommended. I appreciate that we play well together carries these wonderful instruments. Highly recommended.
A beautiful Kalimba. I run this through effects pedals and you can do some amazing musical soundscapes with it. I would certainly buy again. I appreciate weplaywelltogether carrying and shipping this item. Highly recommended.
A delicate and elegant musical instrument. I like that it is tuned to key of C. It is not for leaving outside on the patio, but rather kept with other musical instruments. I love the sound of it with my kalimba.
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.
