Freenotes Company was founded in 1990 by Grammy award winning musician Richard Cooke for the specific purpose of making music simple for everyone, regardless of experience or talent. Neither are necessary because Freenotes instruments remove the difficulties of muscular coordination and wrong notes. Our adage of Beautiful Music Made Simple has informed our designs and products throughout our history.
Freenotes are simply struck with a mallet to resound with lovely, resonated tones that are permanently in tune. Our instruments employ pentatonic (five note), and diatonic (seven note) scales rather than the complex chromatic (twelve note) scale used on the piano and all orchestral instruments. This means there are no wrong notes on Freenotes, so you can play with complete freedom and always enjoy perfect harmonies. All combinations of these notes are pleasing to the ear. Our scales are perfect for improvisation.
Another important feature of all Freenotes is the beauty of their resonated tones which is why our instruments are so relaxing to hear. Musicians and instrument makers passionately search for superior tonal quality. Three factors establish a percussion instrument’s tone when played: the initial strike, the timbre or harmonic content and the decay of the note. The design, materials and playing technique influence tone as well. All these factors weigh heavily during Freenotes quest to build joyful musical instruments. Even our mallets are handmade and selected specially to provide the best sound for each of our instruments. In response to Freenotes fourth generation Wings:
“I like the voicing on the keys which is more even than it used to be. The whole instrument comes alive when playing it. Brilliant work, Richard! You’re a master! Thank you!” -Alexandre
Used by professional musicians and composers, Freenotes are also favorite devotional and meditation aids and are extensively used in hospitals for their therapeutic properties. Simply put, playing music stimulates brain function and overall physiological and emotional health and Freenotes make these benefits as simple as possible. Freenotes are the original sound healing instruments with over 30 years of tonal quality research.
The ease in playing percussion instruments with a mallet eliminates the specialized skills required to play many traditional instruments. Imagine the complications of playing a violin, piano or flute. Freenotes don’t require a trained ear and trained fingers to be in tune or the skills of properly blowing into a wind instrument. With Freenotes musical instruments, music becomes simple enough for anyone to play — with no training!
These beautifully designed percussion instruments are the perfect first instrument for both children and adults. They make an amazing gift for weddings, birthdays, or holidays. Freenotes excel in music education, music therapy, and family activities.
Sound Healing and Music Therapy use aspects of music to improve physical and emotional health and well-being. Embraced by the music therapy industry, Freenotes instruments’ simplicity and soothing vibrations support stress reduction and relaxation. You can become your own therapist and embrace new trends that are making people happier and healthier around the globe.
The Freenotes product line is unique. No other instruments provide the sound quality, compact size, and ease of playing of Freenotes.
The Wing is Freenotes’ signature instrument. The current model represents a lifetime of work, experience, and modifications allowing us to provide you the most amazing instrument possible. The size is perfect for ease of use. The brightness of the tones and the sustain combine perfectly to embody all Freenotes philosophies.
The Bass Octave adds range to Freenotes’ offerings. When combined with a Wing the player has access to 3 Octaves. Watch our Bass Octave videos to see them played together. The tones express themselves powerfully to be felt as well as heard. Gentle strikes produce a warm overlay for the Wing.
The Silhouette completes the Freenotes’ Trio (Wing, Bass Octave, and Silhouette) and adds a fourth octave for the player to utilize. The Silhouette’s round chimes sustain incredibly long. Mixed with the initial bright strike the Silhouette brings brilliant energy to the grouping.
The Trio achieve their lush vibrancy using quarter wave and half wave resonators. Quarter wave resonators powerfully amplify the Bass Octave and the Wing, while the open tube half wave resonators clearly project the Silhouette and upper notes of the Wings. No other compact instruments employ these exacting resonating systems which is the reason Freenotes sound so much more pleasing.
The Wave is the latest Freenotes offering. We are so excited to bring Waves to the public. The first samples were released to therapists in 2021. The Waves bring the power of a hanging gong to the palm of your hand. Each Wave has two notes tuned in perfect fifths. Combining two notes elevates the experience, in addition, the vibrations felt in the hand bring the players’ sense of touch into the experience. The waves are certain to inspire sound healing and music therapy to new heights.
Thank you for visiting us. Enjoy exploring our offerings. We have videos and descriptions of all our products for you to sample. Check our FAQs for more information and please contact us if you need extra information. Freenotes instruments embody music made simple. Try them and hear for yourself!
