Hokema Kalimba Buyer's Guide
Hokema instruments are handcrafted in Germany with precision-tuned stainless steel tines and sustainably sourced wood. Whether you're drawn to sound healing, meditation, or simply making beautiful music, there's a Hokema Kalimba for you. This guide walks you through the full lineup and gives you everything you need to start playing.
What Is a Kalimba?
A kalimba (also called a thumb piano or mbira) is a small handheld instrument played by plucking metal tines with your thumbs. It requires no musical training — if you can text, you can play a kalimba. Hokema's instruments are tuned to specific musical scales, so every note you play sounds harmonious by design.
The Hokema Lineup at a Glance
The Kalimba Families
Pocket Kalimbas — B5 & B7
Small, lightweight, and incredibly approachable. These are perfect first instruments, travel companions, or gifts.
B5 Kalimba — $47
5 tines | F-minor triad (A♭, C, F)
The B5 is Hokema's most compact kalimba — it fits in your palm and slips into any bag. Tuned to an F-minor triad, it produces a sweet, meditative tone ideal for sound healing and relaxation. Solid American black cherry wood body. Dimensions: 4 x 2.8 x 1.4 in.
B7 Kalimba — $65
7 tines (wide) | Pentatonic C-Major (E, G, D, E, C, A, A)
The B7 features wider tines for a fuller, lower tone. The pentatonic C-Major scale is one of the most universally pleasing — every combination of notes sounds good together. Great for improvisation and sound baths.
Mid-Range Kalimbas — B9, B11, B15, B17
More tines mean more range, more melody, and more expressive possibility. These models suit players who want to explore full songs and harmonies.
B9 Kalimba — $86 | B9 Electro — $105
9 tines | A-minor (A, C, C, A, A, F, E, E, B)
The B9 is the sweet spot for beginners who want a full pentatonic scale without overwhelming complexity. The A-minor tuning is warm and introspective — ideal for meditation and sound therapy. Available in an Electro version with a built-in pickup for amplification.
Shop the B9 → | Shop the B9 Electro →
B11 Kalimba Melody — $86 | B11 Electro — $129
11 tines | G-Major (G, A, E, D, C, G, D, G, F#, B, A)
The B11 opens up full melodic playing. The G-Major scale is bright and uplifting — perfect for playing recognizable songs and creating layered soundscapes. The Electro version adds a plug-in receiver for live performance or recording. Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.1 x 2.4 in.
Shop the B11 → | Shop the B11 Electro →
B15 Kalimba — $139
15 tines | G-Major | Dual-tier design
The B15 features a unique two-tier layout: wider tines on the bottom for chords and bass, narrower tines on top for melody. This makes it exceptionally versatile for players who want to play chord-melody style. Dimensions: 5.9 x 6.3 x 1.6 in.
B17 Kalimba — $149 | B17 Mini — $131
17 tines | C-Major (full diatonic scale)
The B17 is Hokema's most complete standard kalimba — a full two-octave C-Major scale that lets you play virtually any song. The B17 Mini offers the same layout in a smaller, more portable body. Both are ideal for intermediate players and music educators.
Shop the B17 → | Shop the B17 Mini →
The Sansula — Kalimba on a Resonating Frame
The Sansula is Hokema's signature instrument. A 9-tine kalimba is mounted on an oval wooden frame with a drum skin membrane, creating a rich, reverberant sound unlike any other kalimba. Pressing the frame against a surface (your knee, a table, your chest) changes the resonance in real time — a technique called "wah-wah" playing.
Sansula Basic — $135
9 tines | A-minor | Cherrywood block + laminated beechwood frame
The entry point into the Sansula world. Solid construction, beautiful tone, and the full Sansula playing experience. Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.1 x 2.6 in.
Sansula Renaissance — $218
9 tines | A-minor | Cherrywood + beechwood frame with Remo drum skin
The Renaissance upgrades the frame with a higher-quality drum skin for improved resonance and projection. The preferred choice for sound healers and practitioners who perform regularly.
Shop the Sansula Renaissance →
Sansula Deluxe — $279
9 tines | A-minor | Genuine goatskin hide
The pinnacle of the Sansula line. The natural goatskin membrane produces the warmest, most organic resonance of the three models — a truly premium sound healing instrument.
Sansula Renaissance Melody — $245
11 tines | G-Major | Oval frame with Remo USA drum skin
Combines the melodic range of the B11 with the resonating Sansula frame. Ideal for players who want both expressive melody and the signature Sansula wah-wah effect. Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.5 x 2.9 in.
Shop the Sansula Renaissance Melody →
Twin Kalimba — $131
Two 9-tine kalimbas | A-minor | Mounted on a single 30cm block
Two kalimbas, one instrument. The Twin is designed for duet play, therapeutic settings, or solo players who want to explore two-handed technique. Both sides share the same A-minor tuning, creating a lush, layered sound.
How to Choose Your Hokema Kalimba
| If you are… | We recommend… |
|---|---|
| A complete beginner or buying as a gift | B5 or B7 |
| Interested in sound healing & meditation | B5, B9, or Sansula Basic |
| Ready to play full songs and melodies | B11, B15, or B17 |
| A practitioner or sound therapist | Sansula Renaissance or Deluxe |
| A performer or recording musician | B7 Electro, B9 Electro, or B11 Electro |
| Looking for a unique duo or therapy tool | Twin Kalimba |
| Wanting the most complete melodic range | B17 or B17 Mini |
How to Play Your Hokema Kalimba
Basic Technique
Hold the kalimba with both hands, thumbs resting lightly on the tines. Use the pads (not the tips) of your thumbs to pluck downward on the tines. The tines are arranged with the lowest note in the center and higher notes alternating outward — so melodies naturally flow from the center out.
Getting Started
- Hold it gently. Grip the sides of the body with your fingers underneath and thumbs on top. Don't squeeze — a relaxed hold lets the instrument resonate freely.
- Pluck with intention. Press down on a tine and let it spring back. The motion is more of a "flick" than a press. Start slowly and listen to each note ring out.
- Play from the center out. The center tine is your root note. Explore outward in both directions to find melodies and harmonies.
- Try the wah-wah effect. Press the back of the kalimba (or the Sansula frame) against your chest or a hard surface while playing. Lifting and pressing changes the resonance — this is the signature kalimba "wah" sound.
- Don't overthink it. Because Hokema kalimbas are tuned to harmonious scales, any combination of notes will sound musical. Explore freely.
Sansula-Specific Technique
The Sansula's drum skin membrane is the key to its unique sound. Hold the frame loosely and press it against different surfaces — your knee, a wooden table, your sternum — to hear how the resonance changes. You can also cup your hands around the frame to create a muffled, intimate tone.
Tuning Your Hokema
Hokema kalimbas hold their tuning well, but tines can shift slightly over time with use. You can retune any Hokema instrument using the Hokema Tuning Tool ($15.50) — slide it under a tine and gently push to raise or lower the pitch. Hokema instruments can also be retuned to custom keys to match other instruments in your ensemble.
Books & Learning Resources
Deepen your practice with our curated Hokema learning materials:
Community
Kalimba Campfire — Free Monthly Virtual Meetup →
