This development of the African lamellophone was invented by the German musician and instrument maker Peter Hokema in 2001. Since then, the Sansulas in their workshops in Lower Saxony have been produced with fine craftsmanship using high-quality, environmentally sustainable materials such as cherry wood rather than the wood of tropical trees. The Sansula consists of a wooden ring covered with an animal skin, similar to a drum, on which the classical sounding block of the Kalimba is mounted. The resonance body creates a full and round, vibrating sound.
This heavy and robust luxury variant of the Sansula is equipped with a stable, natural goat skin as well as a tensioning device giving an even fuller, warmer sound. When the skin tension is loosened slightly, an impressive “floating tone” can be produced.
You can find a sound sample below.
Mood: A-Minor Pentatonic
This tuning – a-minor with additional tines pitched at B and F – allows wonderful melodies to be produced almost of their own accord, simply by plucking the tines with the thumbs. As all the notes harmonise with each other, beginners also enjoy immediate success with their instrument.
(A4, C5, C4, A4, A3, F4, E4, E5, H/B4)
Dimensions: 19,8 x 15,5 x 6,7 cm
