Kalimba the thumb piano

By Naylii Sophea

Kalimba (the thumb piano) is a traditional instrument of Africa.

Different African regions, Kalimba will have different names. "Kalimba" is the name given to this instrument by Kenya.

The Congolese calls it kalimba, in Zimbabwe it is called Mbira, and others like Sanza and Thumb Piano.

Kalimba's body is usually made of wood or gourd, and there are many tongue-shaped elastic metal strips with different lengths.

With the difference in the number and length of metal strips, the sound range of each Kalimba is The pitch will vary.

The general method of playing is to use two hands to hold the body, use two big fingers to press the tongue-shaped elastic metal strip, and play the Kalimba by elastic force.

This type of performance also makes Kalimba have another name for the thumb piano.

They come in larger shapes and sizes too. You normally play it by pressing your thumbs into the metal tines and drawing them back, flicking the tines up on the release. This causes them to vibrate and produce a tone. The sound is amplified by the resonant body of the instrument.

They are cheap and very easy to play, and normally being tuned to a specific scale are easy to get a melody from. The best way to learn is just to buy one and play it.

They can have an earthy and sometimes haunting music-box like sound. The larger bass Kalimba is a good alternative to other bass instruments if you want a more mellow, organic sound.