Kalimba Anyone?
- Thread starter Ahnko Honu
- Start date
Renaissance-Man
Well-known member
Yes, I play kalimba, and I love kalimba. Problem is, I love so many instruments, but I count my blessings that I'm cursed this way. I have 8, 17, and 21 tine kalimbas in C. I also have a 15 tine kalimba made for G. My 8 is currently tuned in minor pentatonic. It's fun to just improvise on it. A couple of the 17s are tuned Cm. I also have this beauty. It's fully chromatic. This one looks complex, but the layout is intuitive. I'll explain if you are interested.
Renaissance-Man
Well-known member
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.
Cool!!!
Yes, please explain, I’m interested! I’ve just bought a kalimba (it hasn’t arrived yet), I know absolutely nothing about them but the one I’ve ordered is cheap and basic.
Renaissance-Man
Well-known member
Sure, my pleasure, @TheBathBird.
You're not going to believe how intuitive it actually is. The lower 17 tines are tuned to C, in diatonic fashion, just like a standard 17 tine kalimba. The upper middle 4 tines are tuned below C, extending the kalimba's lower range to be like the range of a 21 tine kalimba. The remaining upper tines are tuned to be the sharp of the tine positioned directly below it. That's it.
There is no learning curve to play this 34 tine chromatic kalimba! I simply love it. It's my kalimba soul-mate.
You're not going to believe how intuitive it actually is. The lower 17 tines are tuned to C, in diatonic fashion, just like a standard 17 tine kalimba. The upper middle 4 tines are tuned below C, extending the kalimba's lower range to be like the range of a 21 tine kalimba. The remaining upper tines are tuned to be the sharp of the tine positioned directly below it. That's it.
There is no learning curve to play this 34 tine chromatic kalimba! I simply love it. It's my kalimba soul-mate.
That sounds great, I didn’t come across anything like that in my brief foray into kalimba research. I think I see a kalimba rabbit hole opening before me…
Paul1973UK
Active member
I bought a cheapo 8 key kalimba kit (all the metal parts) from ebay about 6 months ago... but I still need to get around to making the wooden body for it... yeah I know its just a simple little wooden box that I could make in an hour or so.
Finishing it will be on my new years resolution list, along with several other unfinished projects I have!
The joys of lacking motivation and poor concentration!!
Finishing it will be on my new years resolution list, along with several other unfinished projects I have!
The joys of lacking motivation and poor concentration!!
Renaissance-Man
Well-known member
Yes, the hollow body kalimbas are generally louder than the board ones. I have a few board ones that sound really good. My 8 tine is a Mountain Melodies model, hand made in the USA. They even make their own tempered tines. My 15 tine Gecko in G sounds rich with its fatter tines and lower pitch. Both are board kalimbas. And, my pictured 34 tine model is awesome and a board model too. I've also found it rare to have a dead tine on a board model.
OP
OP
Ahnko Honu
Well-known member
What a beauty. Do you have links to where you purchased your Kalimbas? I'm a relative nOOb to kalimbas, but I love them. Compact musical instruments appeal to me. I also have a bunch of harmonicas, and a Ohana pineapple Sopranissimo. I do like my solid board kalimbas especially during quiet alone times, very relaxing. Mahalo for your feedback.
Renaissance-Man
Well-known member
Most of my kalimbas were purchased on Amazon.
OP
OP
Ahnko Honu
Well-known member
I just impulse bought this one today, I think because it looked like a Tottoro (love anything Ghibli), and I didn't own a 8 key kalimba yet.
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Well my kalimba arrived on Saturday and what with NY’s eve stuff and family chaos I’ve hardly had a chance to look at it, but I did have a very quick go this morning and I can tell it’s going to be a lot of fun. There are a couple of dead notes, which is probably unsurprising given how cheap it was, but not enough to spoil my enjoyment. However I’m already eyeing up chromatic kalimbas like the one @Renaissance-Man mentioned, so I guess KAS is going to turn out to be a “thing”…
casualmusic
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Hi all
Which electric pickups do you like with kalimbas, or do you get them with pickups installed?
I have portable glockenspiels that play well without amplifier.
www.sweetwater.com
Which electric pickups do you like with kalimbas, or do you get them with pickups installed?
I have portable glockenspiels that play well without amplifier.
On-Stage BSK2500 Bell Kit with Rolling Bag - 2.5 Octave
2.5-octave Bell Kit from F5 to C8 with Stand, Mallets, Practice Drum Pad, Drumsticks, and Sheet Music Holder
www.sweetwater.com
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casualmusic
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Apologies. I meant to write *without amplifier* because the bells cut right through the mix.
If amplifier is needed I’d use a microphone like those used for drum kits.
Based on your idea, I’d probably amplify the kalimba using a ukulele pickup. I’ve had good success with this brand:
cheers
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Paul1973UK
Active member
When I get around to putting my 8 key Kalimba together what tuning do you all recommend using?
I've looked online and 1 page I found listed 9 different tunings... Help!?!?!
I've looked online and 1 page I found listed 9 different tunings... Help!?!?!
Renaissance-Man
Well-known member
Your tines are most likely sized for C tuning. The majority are tuned C major.
Paul1973UK
Active member
Thank you kind sir! I have a diagram of that tuning for future reference
OMG, that's so cool? What's it called, just in case somebody may have caught a contact dose of KAS?
And what do the numbers on the tines represent? They aren't what I'd have expected based on your description.
Thanks! I guess.
Renaissance-Man
Well-known member
It's a 34 tine chromatic kalimba, made by Seeds. Pisces is the model. The tine numbers only denote consecutive tones. Tuned in C major, 1 is C, 2 is D, etc. The numbered tines are laid out on alternating sides. Look at the picture for clarification. The wonder of this layout creates triads with adjacent tines. For example, 1 3 5 are adjacent tines, and in C major tuning that's a C major chord! Isn't that exciting?OMG, that's so cool? What's it called, just in case somebody may have caught a contact dose of KAS?
And what do the numbers on the tines represent? They aren't what I'd have expected based on your description.
Thanks! I guess.
My previous explanation was geared to an audience already familiar with a diatonic kalimba. I was explaining how this kalimba expanded upon a diatonic kalimba.
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