If you've ever had a question about learning the kalimba and the number of keys, chances are you'll find the answer to all your doubts here, whether it's a kalimba for beginners or perhaps kalimba songs . The kalimba is a great instrument for any beginner, but one of the main questions often asked is whether it can be used to play every song.
First, you should review our guide to learning the kalimba and familiarize yourself with your new instrument. A person's ability to master an instrument is directly proportional to the time they are willing to dedicate to it. However, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll progress on the kalimba once you begin learning to play the tongue drum . Anyone who has at least one musical instrument or some basic knowledge of music theory can learn the kalimba even more easily .
There are a few things to consider to understand whether a song is playable on the kalimba. Let's look at them in detail below.
Learning the kalimba – that’s what matters!
As mentioned, it's easy to experiment with and learn to play the kalimba . What are the main reasons why you should want to learn to play the kalimba ?
- The first reason you'll enjoy learning the kalimba : It helps you see and understand music in a completely different way than any other instrument. The kalimba's unique note layout requires you to understand it more physically than mentally. You'll learn how to work your thumb to complete a particular song. In a completely unique way, playing the kalimba truly brings your awareness into your body.
- A second reason to love the kalimba: It's relatively easy to create more complex music on it. The way the notes are arranged on most kalimbas not only helps with playing melodies, but also makes it easy to accompany the melody with chords, arpeggios, or even counterpoint. Learning to play the kalimba is truly simple.
- The third reason you'll enjoy learning the kalimba : The simplicity of the kalimba invites you to embrace the simplicity of mind. If you approach the kalimba from a standpoint of raw energy, you won't truly connect with the spirit of the instrument. Become peaceful, soft, open, and receptive. Open your mind to gentleness. And the kalimba will slowly reveal its secrets to you over the days and years of playing the kalimba .
- The fourth reason: Learning to play the kalimba is simply fun! When you're on a winning streak, when the right notes magically flow from you, when you feel yourself getting better day by day, even moment by moment, it's a real thrill.
- The fifth reason why playing the kalimba is so great: It's a unique sound that inspires you to create unique music. The kalimba inspires simple and clear harmonies, wonderfully charming melodies, and true musical and emotional sensitivity.
- The sixth reason why you want to learn Kalimba: The Kalimba is small, easy to carry and hold, has a low environmental impact and is relatively inexpensive.
So playing the kalimba is like a form of meditation. And as meditation, the kalimba can transform us. It can help you reflect on what you've done and who you are. And on the other hand, it's like chasing the thrill of getting better and better and seeing the notes line up at my thumbtips . This seems to happen all by itself, and it's one of the reasons why you keep learning to play new styles of kalimba. It's a good way to pass the time.
Kalimba for beginners - these are the most important aspects for a good kalimba!
In addition to the low purchase price of a kalimba, there is also a wide selection of instruments to choose from.
The number of notes/keys on a kalimba is something to consider, as they come with anywhere from 7 to 21 keys, or tines as they are also called.
Don't think that a 17-key kalimba isn't for you if you're a beginner. Sure, you can buy a thumb piano with fewer keys to start with, but anything under 10 keys can quickly outgrow the instrument.
Our suggestion is to buy a 17-note kalimba as your first instrument. The design can play a role in your purchase decision, and the more elaborate the design, the more the kalimba will likely cost, so keep that in mind. Simple can be beautiful.
Hold the instrument properly and give active fingers space
Unfortunately, a standard kalimba won't be able to play all songs, as the range of some songs simply encompasses too many notes. However, most songs should be possible if the kalimba is tuned according to the song's requirements and the music is adapted to the kalimba. Alternatively, a chromatic kalimba can offer more flexibility and open up many more possibilities.
The more keys a kalimba has, the higher the outer notes become, to the point where they are very short and—except on the very best instruments—almost unplayable. The highest notes are often difficult to access. The lowest note is the longest tine and is located in the center of the instrument. It is the note with the greatest distance between the tip and the point where it meets the bridge. This is generally the fundamental note of the instrument.
When you first start playing the kalimba, almost everyone experiences sore thumb skin, even when playing with their nails. But over time, a little callus develops on the thumbs, and the pain disappears.
Sit comfortably on a chair and pick up the kalimba. Start exploring the keys and sounds . Obviously, a kalimba with many keys leaves you with less space between them, making it easier to make mistakes when plucking a specific note.
Learn to play Kalimba - it's never too late or too early
The instrument consists of metal tines or keys that the player plucks with their thumb—hence the name " thumb piano ." The kalimba typically has a resonating body, but it's not uncommon to find examples that have only a simple board with tines attached to the top.
Kalimbas and mbira can also have a different number of keys. There are simpler models with seven or eight tines, and more advanced ones with seventeen or more.
The most common type of kalimba has seventeen keys, and you'll get one based on the tuning of those keys. Even children can pluck and learn the kalimba , as can people of advanced age. The sounds are so soothing that the instrument helps reduce stress.
Learn Kalimba for Beginners - The Easy Kalimba Playing Guide
Now we come to the practical part – a guide to playing the kalimba that will make learning the kalimba easier for you. What are the notes on a kalimba? There are many different kalimbas, each of which can vary in the number of notes. For example, you can buy a kalimba with just 8 or 10 notes, or even one with 21 keys .
While you can often choose what key your kalimba is in, which determines the exact pitch of the tines, most entry-level kalimbas have the same 10 notes.
These are the basic notes that will help you learn to play the kalimba songs so easily that you might not even think about what you're doing. The basic notes of the kalimba are: F, D, B, G, E, C, and A. While these are the notes the kalimba has, each of these notes will vary slightly on your kalimba, requiring small adjustments to ensure your kalimba is used correctly. Sometimes the only difference in sound you'll hear is when you play complete kalimba songs .
Step by step and not all at once
Easy Kalimba Playing Instructions / Kalimba for Beginners :
- Hold the kalimba in both hands. Place the kalimba in your palms with the keys facing you. Place your thumbs on top of the kalimba and interlace the rest of your fingers behind the kalimba. You can also place the kalimba on a flat surface instead of holding it when you're just starting to play .
- Do not cover the 2 holes on the back of the kalimba when holding it, otherwise it will not sound right.
- Press a key with your thumbnail to play a note. To achieve a good sound, you need to hit the key with your thumbnail. The tine should vibrate when you hit it. Practice hitting the tine with your nail until the note resonates. This may be painful at first if you play the kalimba for an extended period, but over time, our fingernails will become accustomed to playing if you really want to learn the kalimba .
How does that sound? Are you ready for the rest of the kalimba playing guide ?
- Alternately strike the tines with both thumbs to create a progression. Unlike a piano, notes on the kalimba alternate, spreading out from the center of the instrument. Hitting the corresponding key on the other end of the kalimba will play a whole tone up or down. Experiment with hitting different keys on the left and right sides of the instrument to play a sequence of notes.
- For example, on an 8-note kalimba in standard tuning, the tine to the left of the center is a D and the tine to the right of the center is an E.
- To play a chord, strike two adjacent tines . Striking two tines that are right next to each other will play a chord. Use your thumb to strike both tines at the same time to play the chord. Experiment with different tines on the kalimba to create a series of chords, called a chord progression.
- Combine individual notes and chords to create your own song. For example, you can play the middle tine three times, then play a chord four times, and then play the middle tine three more times to create a complete progression. Experiment with other progressions and chords to create your own song, or start playing kalimba songs from the music book.
Retuning the tones
Most kalimbas have 17 keys and are tuned to C major . Without getting too deeply into music theory, this means the kalimba can only play natural notes ( C, D, E, F, G, A, and B ) in a diatonic scale. This would be the same as playing only the white keys of a piano.
When tuning a kalimba , each individual key is adjusted to a specific pitch so that the notes sound exactly as expected. When played together, the perfectly tuned tines complete a musical scale, or part of it. This is the tuning of the kalimba, and how the instrument sounds when the notes are played together.
Regardless of whether you feel your kalimba is out of tune or not, it's a good practice to check the tuning of each key weekly. To do this, you'll need:
- a kalimba (of course!)
- Tuner (physical or mobile app) preferably with a bag to hang around your neck
- List of required notes
- tuning hammer
- patience
You can find several videos on YouTube detailing how to retune the kalimba. Unfortunately, for some kalimba songs , retuning the kalimba is necessary, or you may have multiple kalimbas at hand.
Kalimba songs - you can learn some Kalimba songs very quickly.
If you want to play your favorite songs well, you should practice them. The concept is simple: Look at the kalimba songs in our music book . We've arranged the songs from easy to difficult. Start with the first song in the music book, and you'll be able to play it in no time. Then move on to the next song. One builds on the other when it comes to learning to play the kalimba .
Or watch YouTube videos on learning the kalimba and play along at the same time. Don't worry if you can't play it well right away; practice makes perfect.
Learn Kalimba Conclusion
It really doesn't matter whether you 're a beginner , an advanced player, young or old— learning the kalimba is always a fun and relaxing pastime. As a beginner, you can follow our kalimba playing guide and enjoy those first sounds.
Of course, if you want to become an expert, you need both time and practice. While the basics of the instrument are simple, more advanced techniques aren't as easy to master. Of course, it's still easier than learning the violin or piano.
We recommend starting with a 17-key kalimba from Sonodrum and playing the kalimba songs in the music book . And, to practice and improve, you need to know how to practice. A promising way to practice is to play up the scale to get used to the position of the individual notes, and then change the pattern. Don't worry if you do something wrong, because to get good, you have to make mistakes. The good thing is that the kalimba's sounds never sound bad or unpleasant. There's always something harmonious coming out of the keys when you pluck them.
Learning the kalimba is easy, and you now have the basic information you need to get started right away. Have fun!
FAQs: Frequently asked questions about learning the kalimba
Is it easy to learn kalimba?
Yes, it really is easy. Anyone can start learning the kalimba , no matter how old or young they are, and whether they know anything about music theory or not. It's best to start with a kalimba that has 17 keys.
How do you hold a kalimba?
To comfortably hold the kalimba with both hands, you need to wrap your fingers around the back of the instrument. Since the instrument is played by plucking the metal keys with your thumbs, you should be careful not to grip the instrument too tightly, as this will make it difficult to move while playing notes.
How do you learn to play the kalimba?
You can learn the kalimba by experimenting or playing one song at a time from a music book. It starts off quite easy. You should definitely "tinkle" the scale up and down first. This will give you a feel for the instrument and its sound.
How to read kalimba music?
The lowest note is in the center of the keys, and the highest is on the outside of the instrument. Keep in mind that each kalimba is delivered in a specific key. This means there are no notes that aren't in that particular key, meaning you can't go wrong.
How do you tune a kalimba?
The kalimba is tuned by working the keys with a tuning hammer. The kalimba hammer is an essential tool for tuning the thumb piano. Made of metal with a wooden handle, it is used to adjust the kalimba keys with small taps to change the distance between the front of the key and the bridge, thereby altering the pitch of the keys and the notes played. Kalimbas are similar in concept to harmonicas, where you get one in a specific key, such as C. While you can play songs that aren't in the key of C, you may need to modify them slightly or change the key.
By far the easiest way to check the tuning accuracy of each key on the kalimba is to use a tuner. This can be either an electronic tuner or a tuning app on your mobile phone.
