Happy birthday Laura!
If you're reading this, then you'll have opened your present(s). I know you're a busy girl, so I thought I'd save you some time and compile this little list explaining what each of the instruments are and some links to tutorials on how to play them. Have fun!
Mini Kalimba
The Kalimba is part of a family of musical instruments originally known as Mbira, traditional to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. An early version of this instrument was invented over 1,300 years ago.
Made from sapele wood and tuned to the key of C, this mini kalimba is a smaller, pocket-sized version of the instrument that still makes a good sound.
I know you've played my kalimba before, so I thought you'd enjoy your own mini version.
Traditional Meditation Singing Bowl
Tibetan singing bowls are used worldwide for yoga, meditation and spiritual healing. The sound and vibrations promote a relaxed state perfect for deep meditation, creative thinking and relaxation.
I don't know if you've ever done meditation, but I thought it would be something you might at least appreciate, given its cultural significance.
Ocarina
The ocarina is an ancient wind musical instrument, belonging to a family of instruments believed to date back over 12,000 years! The instrument has played an important role in Chinese culture and has also featured prominently in both NES and Nintendo 64 games, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and Earthbound Beginnings.
I thought this looked pretty natty and you and Shannon would be intersted by the Zelda connection. The tutorial is brilliant, so get your Peter Pointer finger ready to play!
Swanee Whistle & Cuckoo Whistle
Invented in the 19th century, the slide whistle was originally popular in jazz music. While it's still used in music, it's more commonly known as a comedic sound effect.
The cuckoo whistle is designed to imitate the sound of a cuckoo bird. The two-note call is obtained by leaving the stop-hole open for the first blow and by closing with the finger for the second.
I originally bought this for the Swanee whistle, because they're always fun, and it came with the Cuckoo Whistle, which was an added bonus.
Nose Flute
The nose flute (or nose whistle) was traditionally played by various South American indigenous groups in the Amazon rainforest, such as the Nambikwara. While representing fertility or war by some groups within the Nambikwara, the nose flute is now seen more of a children's toy.
It is played by holding it against the open mouth, which acts as a resonance chamber (replacing the body of the flute) and blowing through the nose, using your mouth shape to alter the pitch.
It sounds and looks ridiculous, so I thought you could have some fun with this one.