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This kalimba is in the note of ‘c’ and most music written for kalimba seems to be written in c for either 8 or 17 note kalimbas.
The style of playing is different from anything else I’ve played, because the notes alternate from one hand to the other. So, instead of going up in ascending order, the have c in the centre and then d is played by my left hand and e by my right hand!
There is a simple tablature that is also available where the notes are numbered instead of lettered. The combination means that you can play music just written for kalimba or basic music for other instruments.
You can also do some basic chords by playing two tones at once and they sound really nice. There is a bit of a knack to playing them so they sound right but it’s about the hardest thing about playing.
Some people say you don’t need sheet music or tab at all and that people should be able to pick out songs, I think that’s asking a bit much. It is fun to try, but it’s time consuming and very much a challenge and a learning curve that not everyone has an ear for. The sense of accomplishment that playing a song from sheet music or tablature is pretty awesome and you get a few songs with this, but pick up a music book when you buy this!
I can’t wait for my music book to come in, I’ve learned all the ones that it came with and wished someone had suggested ordering a music book for kalimba because i didn’t really realize they had them 😁
Some other things I saw for questions when I was doing my own homework, you can have reasonable fingernails and play the kalimba. It might chip a manicure, I’m not sure about that or fake nails, but you don’t need to cut your nails right down like with the guitar.
It comes with a tuning hammer and you may need to do some tuning, mine came tuned and maintains its tuning. That’s something I like with the Donnor instruments, they seem to keep their tuning. My ukulele instructor has commented on how good my uke keeps it’s tuning as well. She actually said, ‘hold onto that uke, it’s a keeper’
I don’t know if all kalimbas keep their tuning so well.
I do use the keys exceeding the 8 keys, I heard the 17 keys wasn’t traditional to Africa, if you want traditional you should look for 12 or 8, but I really like the 17 and how much range it gives me! I can play ALL the music!!
