Learn to play Sansula
Learn to play Sansula - A short game guide
The Sansula
The Sansula , a patented invention from HOKEMA, is a new development of the Kalimba (also called Sansa or Mbira), which has its origins in southern Africa. Kalimbas are reed instruments that are plucked with the thumbs or fingers. In Africa they can be found in countless shapes and designs, in which the vibration of the tongue is amplified in various ways, e.g. on a resonance box, a hollow body such as a calabash gourd or simply a piece of solid wood. With the Sansula, the vibration of the tongue is first "stored" in a block of wood, which then transfers it to a sound membrane. In this way, the sound can be heard for much longer than with other methods of sound amplification. Supported by the tuning - octaves are close together - a wonderful, soft sound rich in overtones is created, which is easy to coax from the instrument when learning the Sansula.
reeds
Protect the reeds from moisture. The high-quality spring steel is not rustproof, because unlike the material we use, stainless steel does not have outstanding sound properties. To protect against corrosion, we have given the reeds an elaborate plasma coating. We still recommend wiping the reeds with a soft cloth after learning the sansula.
The different moods
We have set the tuning to A minor with additional B and F. Reeds 1 and 4 (from the left) are tuned the same for sound reasons.
The Sansula does not normally go out of tune while playing. However, you can change the tuning by tapping the respective reed with a small hammer so that its vibrating part becomes longer (ie lower) or shorter (higher). To protect the instrument against misdirected hammer blows, we recommend using our tuning iron. A chromatic tuner (e.g. KORG CA40) also helps to determine the exact pitch. Both devices are available in our web shop.
Here are three suggestions for alternative tunings:
Seven tips to help you learn to play the Sansula in no time and handle the instrument optimally
- When learning to play the sansula, hold the instrument in both hands and pluck the reeds alternately or simultaneously with both slightly bent thumbs.
- Open and close the lower opening of the frame while playing the sansula (e.g. on a table top or on your lap) to create what is known as a “wah-wah effect”. You can even use this relatively intense effect rhythmically by moving the sansula up and down in time while playing.
- Protect the instrument from moisture. The sound may change in high humidity because the membrane temporarily loses its tension. In normal climates, this tension returns.
- Keep the Sansula away from excessive heat or cold. Do not expose it to direct sunlight and do not leave it in the car in summer or winter.
- Do not hit the fur.
- Do not leave the Sansula unattended in the hands of small children. The sound membrane is extremely sensitive to sharp or sharp objects. Dropping the instrument can also damage it.
- Use a suitable transport box to transport the Sansula. A suitable bag or a specially made instrument case are also available from your dealer or in our webshop.
Care and transport instructions for the Sansula
- Handle the instrument with care.
- Protect the instrument from impacts and falls.
- Protect the Sansula from water (including rain) and excessive humidity.
- If necessary, remove moisture from the tongues, membrane and wooden parts with a soft, dry cotton cloth.
- After each use of the Sansula, rub the reeds lightly with a dry cotton cloth and remove any sweat from your hands. Please note: For sound reasons, the reeds are only protected from rust by a thin special coating, as stainless steel reeds are not suitable for sound.
- Protect the instrument from excessive temperature fluctuations and dirt.
- Only transport the Sansula in a suitable transport box or bag, such as a Kalimba/Sansula bag or a Sansula case.
- When transporting the instrument by plane, it is essential that it is placed in hand luggage, not in checked luggage.
re-tensioning the skin
Re-tightening the skin is only necessary in exceptional cases (perhaps not at all). So only do it if it seems absolutely necessary. This can be the case if the skin has become too slack due to high humidity and therefore needs to be re-tightened. A skin that is too slack will be noticeable because tongue number 8 (E) sounds particularly loud when playing the sansula.
The clamping process in detail
Only tighten the skin for sound reasons and do so sparingly and carefully. Hold the underside of the Sansula upwards so that you can see the gap between the upper and lower frame sections. Using the Allen key provided, turn each screw clockwise until the gap opens slightly at the relevant point. Make sure that the gap is always the same size for all six screws. Now test the sound.
If the skin is still too slack, tighten all six screws again, in small steps (one-eighth turns of the key). The sound should be tested after each round of tightening. If all the notes sound good when playing the sansula, please stop tightening. The tightening process is now complete. The basic rule is: only tighten the skin as little as necessary.
If the head is too tightly stretched, note number 5 (A) will sound dull and metallic. In this case, the screws must be turned back.
Kalimba
The kalimba is a lamellophone instrument. The lamellae are plucked with the fingers, producing soft, warm tones. The instrument is widespread throughout the world and is also very popular with songwriters and in jazz. You do not need any previous knowledge or musical training to play a kalimba. Even younger children can play the instrument. Another advantage is its handy size, so you can easily pack the kalimba and take it with you.
Sansula
The Sansula is a further development of the African Kalimba by Hokema. It is available in four different versions. The Sansula is characterized by its particularly voluminous sound. The instrument is just as handy and easy to play as its predecessor, the Kalimba, and has been enhanced with a free-floating suspension for the sound block. The Sansula is characterized by its oval shape and is covered with a sound membrane. It produces a long-lasting, soft tone and can create an impressive wah-wah effect.
Other Sansula models from Hokema
Sanusla Deluxe
The Sansula Deluxe is a further development of our Sansula basic model. It is equipped with a stable natural membrane made of goatskin and a tensioning device. These changes bring with them a number of advantages that make playing with the Sansula Deluxe even more versatile. As a purely natural product, each Deluxe model we deliver is unique and is characterized by its even fuller and warmer sound as well as its robustness. While the basic model is rather too sensitive for use by small children, the Sansula Deluxe can also be used in kindergartens or music schools without having to worry about it being damaged too easily. Of course, the Sansula Deluxe also requires careful treatment, as is usual and appropriate for musical instruments.
Sansula Renaissance
The Sansula Renaissance is the third in our Sansula series, which differ in the materials used for their sound membranes. While the basic model is equipped with a relatively fragile skin, the Sansula Renaissance is fitted with a membrane made from the drum skin of the company REMO (USA). This makes the Sansula Renaissance insensitive to moisture and thus retains its tension and therefore its beautiful sound even when there are fluctuations in humidity. However, the sound reeds should still be protected from moisture.
Like the Sansula Deluxe, the robust Sansula Renaissance is also suitable for use in kindergartens and music schools. Here, too, however, you should ensure that you handle the instrument with care.
Three useful tips: Learn to play the Sansula with the Sansula Deluxe and the Sansula Renaissance
- Like the Sansula Basic, you hold the instrument in both hands. To learn to play the Sansula, pluck the reeds with your bent thumbs. You can also create the “wah-wah effect” with the Deluxe and Renaissance models!
- Whether you are learning to play the Sansula or just storing the instrument, protect it from moisture, high temperatures and extreme cold. Avoid exposing the Sansula to direct sunlight.
- Use the box provided to transport the Sansula Renaissance. Its special construction relieves the membrane and protects the instrument from damage to a large extent. We also recommend a suitable transport box for transporting the Sansula Deluxe. A bag or a small instrument case are also available from your dealer or in our web shop.
The big textbook: Learn to play the Sansula
In this textbook you will learn everything you need to know to get started playing the sansula. Tips on handling, introductory exercises, improvisation ideas and 18 pieces in a total of 14 different tunings offer a comprehensive overview of learning the sansula.
Suitable for beginners; 104 pages with MP3 CD
Sansula app
With our Sansula app for iPhone and iPad, you can learn to play Sansula virtually and try out new tunings before tuning them on your real instrument. You can create and save your own tunings or use preset tunings.
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Instructions for the Sansula as PDF for download: