Here is a little recap first - or scroll down to the videos
The feeltone line of portable monochords (the Monolini or the Monolina) has currently 5 different flavors C, A, G, F, D with C being the highest note and D the lowest.
The Monolini has 21 strings: 11 overtone strings, 5 bass strings (one octave lower than the overtone) and 5 strings tuned to the interval of a fifth from the tonic string.
The Monolina has the same configuration with a larger body and more strings: 34 in total including: 24 overtone strings, 5 bass strings (one octave lower than the overtone) and 5 strings tuned to the interval of a fifth from the tonic string. Included are also 5 bridges for the overtone strings and a template that allows you to have accent melody notes tuned to either a Major or minor pentatonic (5-note) scale. (You can also tune the melody notes to alternate scales of your choosing.)
The higher the note, the thinner the string. A thin string produces more overtones but less bass and physical sensation.
The feeltone Company (based in Northern Germany) is working with a string maker that designs and creates strings that produce the greatest volume and brilliance for each note, based on each tuning.
The strings vary in material and design from the thin steel strings to the thicker "braided" bass strings (with copper coiling around an inner string), to create the optimal sound.
How to chose:
Your first choice should be the sound "flavor" that resonates best with you and we have created a set of videos below that allow you to listen to the different tunings.
Another consideration, if you're playing in a group of people (where multiple instruments will be played together at the same time), is the key the other instruments are in.
Each Monolina can be tuned in 440 Hz, 432 Hz, (or any other reference tuning).
While you can tune the strings up or down a couple of 1/2-steps, if the strings are relaxed too much they won't have the correct vibration and brilliance, and if they get too tight, they might snap.
The following videos showcase the Monolinas in all five tuning options - note that the smaller Monolinis will sound the same but with a smaller resonating body they are slightly quieter in volume.
Monolina in C:
24 overtone strings tuned to C, 5 bass strings tuned to C, and 5 fifth strings tuned to G.
Monolina in A:
24 overtone strings tuned to A, 5 bass strings tuned to A, and 5 fifth strings tuned to E.
Monolina in G:
24 overtone strings tuned to G, 5 bass strings tuned to G, and 5 fifth strings tuned to D.
Monolina in F:
24 overtone strings tuned to F, 5 bass strings tuned to F, and 5 fifth strings tuned to C.
Monolina in D:
24 overtone strings tuned to D, 5 bass strings tuned to D, and 5 fifth strings tuned to A.
All Monolinas:
- Have 34 strings, bass overtones and a fifth
- Come with 5 bridges that create melody accent notes
- Include a universal template for minor or Major tuning
- Can be used for meditation, sound baths, sound therapy and concerts
- May be placed on the body for sound massage
- Have a size of 28.3'' x 13'' x 4.3''
- Are made of: ash & cherry wood (though specialty woods can be ordered)
- Weigh 6 lbs
- Have available accessories including: Travel bag, U-Stand
Here are additional videos that show you more than one Monolina played together so you can listen to the different combinations and playing styles
Extra Accessories for the Monolina and Monolini include:
Felt Mallets for soft rhythmic percussive playing and Santori Sticks for precise percussive playing of melody notes
The U-Stand comes in 3 sizes: a floor stand, middle height stand, and a stand tall enough for sitting in a chair. There's also an option to get a floor stand that can become the tall stands with leg extensions.
In case you lose your Monochord manual we have all of them here online
