Kalimba Anyone?

[TimWilson]

They are laid out on alternating sides.

D'oh! That makes perfect sense! Alternating.

And yes, VERY exciting! A great example of the practical application of music theory!

 

[Renaissance-Man]

I thought I'd provide a little insight as to what the girl above is doing with the kalimba and guitar composition. The kalimba Yasmin is using is a Meinl KA7, specifically made for E tuning. This bodes well for mating with a guitar, since E is a favored key for guitar. Yasmin is using the kalimba to arpeggio chords, while striking a chord and note melody rooted in E on guitar.

So, ukulele is tuned in C6, and the majority of kalimbas are tuned in C. Ideas?

 

[Ondrej]

I also play the kalimba. I have more of them. From chromatic, same as renaissance-man. After the one with 8 slats.
All sizes and tunings are inspiring.
Here are some samples.

 

[ploverwing]

@Ondrej you never cease to amaze me.

 

[Renaissance-Man]

I also play the kalimba. I have more of them. From chromatic, same as renaissance-man. After the one with 8 slats.
All sizes and tunings are inspiring.

Nice!
St. James Infirmary is a favorite. I'll make a point of looking into your books.

 

[Renaissance-Man]

Which electric pickups do you like with kalimbas, or do you get them with pickups installed?]

Your question got me thinking, and now I plan on installing a passive piezo disc in a kalimba sometime this week. The reason being, I can then plug it into my looper pedal, and overdub complex kalimba melodies on the fly.

 

[Renaissance-Man]

I put a piezo disc into this solid bamboo kalamba. I simply inserted the jack into one of the existing tremolo holes, and stuck the piezo disc to the soundboard. It sounds great.

 

[Jim in Oregon]

Cripes! Just when UAS is ebbing (buying two kits and a custom builders' slot will do that), I'm suddenly stricken with the need to own at least one kalimba.

Seeing this thread at the exact time we're planning a trip to Africa (including Zimbabwe, home of the kalimba I'm told) makes it seem imperative.

Can anyone offer advice to a new guy looking for a pretty decent instrument? Price is not a huge factor.

Jim

 

[tiburris]

Are you familiar with this girl? She bought that kalimba in Guitar Center, taped it to her guitar, and invented a new style of performance.

Absolutely brilliant!