The Kalimba is a traditional African instrument that originates from the Shona people of Zimbabwe, used for centuries as an accompaniment to songs, dances, and rituals. Types of Kalimba vary by shape and sound, but they are all made up of keys or tines, creating different pitches when plucked with the thumbs, which is why…
While you technically can play the kalimba without nails, it is generally accepted to be rather uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. On top of that, your fingers will never make as clear a sound as fingernails on the metal tines – so you might not be able to achieve that beautiful, melodic ring that the…
There is no debate what type of instrument a guitar is, the way that 99% of guitarists utilize its parts determine it is a string, but there is a debate as to whether the guitar is also in the percussion family of instruments or not. So let’s take a brief look and probably upset a…
Steel is used to make handpans. There are three different types used to create a handpan: nitrided steel, the ever-growing in popularity stainless steel, and most latterly ember steel. It seems today we are seeing everyone making stainless steel as it has the ability to withstand rusting and aging better than other types of steel….
Most standard Kalimbas for sale are tuned to either C or G Major scales across two octaves if choosing a 17 Key variation. There are quite a few notes to be going on with, but do they also have tines tuned to sharps and flats? As standard, 17 key Kalimbas tuned to C or G…
A chromatic Kalimba is different from standard kalimbas you may already be aware of. They have more tines and notes and tuned to a different scale. They are more closely related to the original African Mbira which were the inspiration for this largely unknown but well-loved percussion instrument. So let’s find out: What is a…
