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 — from $105 (Electro)
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.
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:
- The Sansula Instruction Book by Conny Sommer — $25
- Exploring the Hokema B11 Kalimba — $15
- The Beautiful E-Sansula Book — $10
Ready to Find Your Kalimba?
Shop All Hokema Kalimbas & Sansulas →
From the Blog: Kalimba Reads
Dive deeper into the world of Hokema Kalimbas with stories, tutorials, artist portraits, and guides from our blog.
Getting Started & Choosing Your Kalimba
- Kalimba for Beginners: You Don't Need to Practice — Think you're not musical? The kalimba disagrees. No wrong notes, no sheet music, no experience needed.
- Which Hokema Kalimba Is Right for You? — From the pocket B5 to the stage-ready Elektro, a full breakdown to help you find your match.
- Choosing a Hokema Kalimba for Sound Healing vs. Musical Expression — The answer shapes which model is right for you. Here's how to decide.
- Why Tuning Matters More Than Number of Tines — More tines doesn't always mean a better kalimba. Here's what to prioritize instead.
- Why You Want (Need!) a Hokema Kalimba — Musician Brandon Blake explains why these instruments are so accessible, expressive, and beloved.
Model Comparisons & How-Tos
- What Is the Difference Between a B15 and B17 Kalimba? — A B15 video hit 118K Instagram views in 24 hours. Discover what makes it special and how it compares to the B17.
- The Hokema B17 Mini Kalimba: Designed for Smaller Hands — Full B17 range in a compact body made for smaller hands, children, and young adults.
- “Keyboard” Kalimbas Comparison: B15, B17 + B17-Mini — A short video comparing tine count, tuning, size, and playability across the three larger models.
- How to Play the Chord Magnets on the Hokema B17 Kalimba — Peter Hokema demonstrates how to use colored chord magnets to visualize and play chords on the B17.
- Kalimba Electro: Techniques for the Studio and Live Stage — Plug in, pitch-shift, sample, and loop. A guide to the Hokema Electro series for musicians.
Artist Portraits & Performances
- A Musician's Portrait: Brandon Blake — Preschool teacher, brain injury survivor, and Sansula devotee. Brandon's story is one of healing through music.
- A Music Therapist's Portrait: Christine Stevens, MSW, MA, MT-BC — Once thought she had no rhythm — until a drum circle changed everything. Now she uses the Sansula worldwide.
- Susann Kobus – A Music Therapist Who Works Real Wonders — Clinical studies show the Sansula regulates premature babies' heart rate and breathing in the NICU.
- Play a Tango Rhythm on the Sansula with Composer Matt Levine — SF Conservatory instructor Matt Levine demonstrates how 9 notes can create endless melodic and rhythmic exploration.
- Sansula On Stage with Jazz! Featuring Violinist Gwen Laster — World-renowned jazz violinist Gwen Laster weaves the Sansula into live performance with her ensemble.
- How the Hokema Sansula Gives You Creative Permission — Broadway composer Will Reynolds shows why the Sansula's limited notes are actually a creative superpower.
- Robbi K Rocks the Beat on Her Kalimbas — Grammy-nominated children's artist Robbi Kumalo shows how easy it is to play a background beat on the Hokema Kalimba.
- Masterful Mbira Player Kevin Nathaniel's Insight on Circular Kalimba Playing — Yale-trained mbira master shares the African roots of kalimba playing, including spiral layout and traditional techniques.
- Dave Leo Baker Feels the Sound — Blind since birth, Dave offers a uniquely intuitive perspective on picking up the Sansula for the first time.
- Hokema Sansula Featured on the Album “Kerel” by Sri Kala — Cascading Sansula tones weave with Sri's prayerful vocals on this deeply spiritual recording.
- Bonus Time Music: Live-Looping with Brandon Blake — Brandon creates immersive soundscapes with Hokema Kalimbas, tongue drums, and monochords using live looping.
Sound Healing & Music Therapy
- Music Therapists on Utilizing Our Instruments for Music Therapy — Clinical applications of Hokema Kalimbas spanning improvisation, breath work, vocal exploration, and self-soothing.
- Creating Joy with Rachel Nelson of Conscious Soundscapes — Meet the woman who coined "ecstatic kalimba" and played handpan live on Clubhouse for 222 days straight.
- World Drum Club: Kalani & Brandon on Healing Through Intuitive Music — A 30-minute conversation on brain injury recovery, anxiety, depression, and the power of community through sound.
Soundscape Collections & Ensemble Playing
- The Profound Experience of Soundscape Jamming — How matched instruments in the same tuning let anyone — from children to grandparents — play together beautifully.
- Intuitive Soundscapes Collections: D-Minor Collection — The deepest, most emotionally expansive tuning in the lineup. No wrong notes — just layer, listen, and flow.
- Play Well Together in D-Minor — Sound Artists Fountainetta Coleman and Marlee-I Mystic showcase the D-Minor Collection in a joyful soundscape jam.
- A Personal Tour of the D-Minor Collection — Joule L'Adara demonstrates each instrument individually and shows how to layer them as a solo practitioner.
- D-Minor Collection: Behind the Scenes in Germany — A solar-powered shoot at Lake Pulow with the feeltone team and a year of post-production. The story behind the video.
- Intuitive Soundscapes Collections: C-Major Collection — The highest, most ethereal tuning in the lineup. Layer, listen, and soar.
- Intuitive Soundscapes Collections: A-Minor Collection — Warm and introspective. Anchored by the feeltone Monochord with Hokema Kalimbas, Koshi and Zaphir chimes.
- A-Minor Collection: Behind the Scenes in Germany — Filmed on a windy hillside in Mecklenburg with the feeltone team. Watch the instruments played together in their element.
- Intuitive Soundscapes Collections: G-Major Collection — Warm and physically resonant. The most percussive collection in the series.
- G-Major Collection: Behind the Scenes in Germany — Filmed by firelight. The fourth and final Intuitive Soundscapes Collections video, showcasing the full ensemble.
Community & Events
- Our New Livestream Series on YouTube & Facebook Live — Monthly sessions with Kalani Das of World Drum Club, featuring live demos and Q&A on intuitive instruments.
- Wellness Percussion: Self-Care Summer School — An online training series with Brandon Blake covering Kalimbas, Chimes, and Monochords for personal well-being.
- Self-Care Summer School: Free Intro Class with Teacher Brandon — A live body percussion session so engaging that every single person stayed on Zoom until the very end.
