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Hokema B17 kalimba | Weplaywelltogether
Hokema B17 kalimba | weplaywelltogether
Hokema B17 Kalimba , 17 tines in C-Major | Weplaywelltogether
b17 Hokema tuning |WePlayWellTogether
Hokema - B17 C-Major
Hokema B17 kalimba | Weplaywelltogether
Hokema B17 kalimba | weplaywelltogether
Hokema B17 Kalimba , 17 tines in C-Major | Weplaywelltogether
b17 Hokema tuning |WePlayWellTogether

Hokema - B17 C-Major

by Hokema Kalimbas
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00 $149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00 $149.00
Collection Color: Green C-Major

Hokema B17 Kalimba C-Major – 17 Tines, Full Scale, Endless Possibilities

  • 17 tines precisely tuned to C-Major — suitable for playing countless popular songs
  • Ideal for improvisation, intuitive playing, and sound healing
  • Solid resonant body of American cherrywood, finished with natural oils and waxes
  • Ergonomically formed tines for easy thumb playing
  • Pairs beautifully with the Intuitive Soundscapes Terra C-Major (Green) collection
  • Includes a booklet with song samples and playing techniques
  • Size: 6.9" x 7" x 1.6"

Kalimbas are metal-tined instruments that originated in southern Africa, where they can be found in countless variations. The Hokema B17 C-Major is meticulously handcrafted from solid American black cherry wood, with a surface treated and polished with natural oils and waxes. With 17 tines spanning over two and a third octaves, it opens up a full melodic range for improvisation, song playing, and expressive sound healing.

If the body feels too large for your hands, simply place the kalimba on a table and play with your thumbs and fingers. You can also place it on a djembe drum head for more amplification. If you prefer a smaller instrument, consider the B17 Mini, designed for smaller hands.

Scale & Tuning

C-Major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

A C-Major scale consists of 7 notes. The B17 has two full sets of C with an octave in between, plus one additional C an octave higher — giving you a rich, full melodic range across 17 tines.

Note on notation: In the tablature, the second octave tines are marked with a dot (e.g. 1·, 2·, 3·) and the three highest tines in the third octave are marked with a colon (e.g. 1:, 2:, 3:).

How to Read the Tine Layout

Hokema marks the tines with two visual indicators to help you navigate the larger number of tines:

  • A single horizontal line on three tines indicates the keynote C — the low, middle, and high C
  • A double crossbar indicates the tone B (written as H in German notation)

These markings allow you to visually orient yourself quickly while playing.

Playing the C-Major Scale

Start with the middle, longest tine and pluck it with your right thumb, alternating with your left thumb, working your way outward to the shorter tines. You will hear the C-Major scale played over two and a third octaves.

In the tablature, notes for the left hand appear at the top and notes for the right hand at the bottom. This tablature format is used by Conny Sommer in his B17 tutorials.

Hokema B17 Kalimba tine layout diagram showing C-Major scale positions

Watch: Chord Marking with Magnets

Hokema includes magnets with the B17 to help you mark chords while playing. Watch the video below to see how to use them, plus get a feel for the instrument's rich, full sound.

Hokema also includes a booklet with your purchase featuring song samples and playing techniques to get you started.

Available Add-Ons (Not Included)

B17 Softbag

  • Reinforced with fiberglass for durability
  • Fully padded interior for protection
  • Adjustable shoulder strap
  • Protects your Kalimba perfectly while traveling
  • Lightweight and durable

Hokema Kalimbas fitted softbag for Kalimba | We Play Well Together

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All about Hokema

Peter and Hugo Hokema | weplaywelltogether

Intuitive Soundscapes Collections

While our Soundscapes are centered around the Feeltone Monolina and Monolini and available in 4 tunings. But you don't need to own a monochord to take advantage of a matching collection.

Already have instruments? Find your root note and choose the collection that matches — then build from there.

Starting from scratch? Browse the collections, listen to the tunings, and find the one that speaks to you.

Explore our Soundscapes

A-minor Soundscape Collection — handcrafted sound healing instruments in A-minor tuning

A-minor Soundscape Collection

A-minor Intuitive Soundscapes Collection | Yellow A Soundscape is a curated set of instruments al...

C-Major Intuitive Soundscapes Collection — handcrafted sound healing instruments in C-Major tuning"

C-Major Soundscape Collection

C-Major Intuitive Soundscapes Collection | Green A Soundscape is a curated set of instruments all...

G-Major Intuitive Soundscapes Collection — handcrafted sound healing instruments in G-Major tuning

G-Major Soundscape Collection

G-Major Intuitive Soundscapes Collection | Red A Soundscape is a curated set of instruments all t...

D-minor Intuitive Soundscapes Collection — handcrafted sound healing instruments in D-minor tunin

D-minor Soundscape Collection

D-minor Intuitive Soundscapes Collection | Blue A Soundscape is a curated set of instruments all ...

Start your collection

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
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Bob T.
Loving her

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.

User picture

The Sansula deluxe has a natural Goat skin that will react to moisture and humidity and a sign the tension of the skin is off is that these notes turn flat.
Try to bring the Sansula to a warm and dry place so the skin can restretch and you can also use the L shaped tuning wrench to slightly tighten the skin by opening the screws a tiny bit .
Please refer to our tuning instructions https://weplaywelltogether.com/products/hokema-kalimbas-sansula-deluxe before you do this. If you open the screws to much to stretch a moist skin you can break the seal and damage your Deluxe. If in doubt on what to do just reach out to us via the chat - we are always here to help

J
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.

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S
Scott B.
Sweet Sound

My first experience with a Hokema Kalimba was at the gift shop of the Music Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ. I was blown away by the big, beautiful sound of those instruments, but I wasn’t ready to plunk down $200 for it.

Fast forward, I read about the Twin Kalimba and was encouraged by a review that suggested it was great for events. This particular person, evidently a musician like me, gave out ten of these during his shows and was thrilled by how the audience members enjoyed the experience.

So, given these two experiences, I had high hopes for the twin.

It is a sweet sounding instrument, but the sound is very quiet. The wood is solid so it doesn’t resonate like its higher priced solo cousins (that feature a resonator) or traditional kalimbas that have found holes.

So, I’m a little underwhelmed by the sound, but it’s still a great concept. Perhaps it will be fine and dandy when I share it with audiences. Let’s see!

E
Elena B.
Beautiful sound

It’s my first Kalimba and I absolutely love how it sounds, such a magical instrument

D
Dianna L.N.
Hokema B9 Kalimba Aria

I was pleased with customer service & by the work ethic that this company has. This is my first kalimba that I have ever owned. It is easy to make pretty little melodies & pairs well with the chime of the same key, but admittedly the kalimba sounds louder & sweeter when held & played so it works better when these instruments are played by 2 people. Overall I was pleased with my purchase.

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