Wellness Percussion: Free Mini Training Video Series with Brandon Blake
Who This Is For
•Anyone who’s felt they couldn’t play an instrument
•People on a self-healing journey ready to embrace play
•Sound practitioners looking to deepen rhythmic fluency
•Folks wanting to reconnect with joy, creativity, and community
You don’t need to own any instruments to participate—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to play.
For the person who didn’t think they could start anywhere, this is that somewhere…
Find Your Rhythm: Playful Percussion for Wellness with Teacher Brandon
Did you miss our live training? You can now watch 4 short videos from the course for free and get a taste of this joyful, intuitive approach to rhythm and self-care. If you love what you see, you’ll also have the opportunity to sign up for a future training!
This course is designed for anyone who’s ever felt intimidated by learning music or thought rhythm “wasn’t for them.” Whether you’re a beginner or a sound practitioner looking to expand your skills, this is a gentle, playful way to explore rhythm, creativity, and wellness.
Meet Teacher Brandon
Seattle-based educator and musician Brandon Blake brings warmth, patience, and creativity to every class. Known to his students as “Teacher Brandon,” he blends his early love of bass guitar and world percussion with innovative techniques on the Sansula, Kalimba, monochords, Koshi, and Zaphir chimes. His approach is unique—he even uses magnets to retune instruments while playing!
Brandon’s teaching is deeply informed by his journey as a brain injury survivor, which shaped his empathetic and out-of-the-box way of thinking. His passion lies in helping others discover their own intuitive rhythm, no matter their background or perceived ability.
What You’ll Learn
•Rhythmic patterns anyone can play—no experience required
•Ways to play monochords, kalimbas, chimes, and more using simple, fun techniques
•How rhythm can support self-care, healing, and creativity
•Tips for sound practitioners and facilitators looking to add rhythm into their offerings
Each lesson is playful and inclusive. Whether you’re clapping, tapping, or use any kind of instrument you own, you’ll build confidence and connection through sound.
WELLNESS PERCUSSION Mini Training #1:
How to play a 2-count "Heartbeat Rhythm"
Examples played on: Hands, Shaker, Zaphir & Koshi Chimes
WELLNESS PERCUSSION Mini Training #2:
How to groove in a 4-count
Examples played on: Hands, Shaker, Kalimba Sansula
WELLNESS PERCUSSION Mini Training #3:
How to rock 2 instruments together
Examples played on: Hands, Shaker, Tongue-Drum & Handpan
Bonus Video: WELLNESS PERCUSSION
Self-Care Summer School 2023
Examples played on: Monolini & Monolini Monochord
+ all the WPWT Instruments together!
Please contact us if you would like to be invited for future trainings.
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.
Monolina Travel Set
Kevin N.H.
Hokema Sansula Deluxe
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
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.
