What is Kalimba?

Kalimba is a musical instrument that can also be called an African thumb. It is usually made of either a wooden platform or a slightly excavated wooden block, the size of an adult hand. At the top of the wood, the metal spikes are played by twitching thumbs. The original tool inspiring Kalimba is Mbira, an African tool that reaches back the century. The Kalimbians came to the attention of the rest of the world, when ethnomusicologist, Hugh Tracey, who was known for his studies of Western and Central African music, began to create and export his own instruments after moving to Africa in the 20th century. The lowest tool tones are in the middle and the longest tips. Each tip on each side of the center is shortened to create higher tones. Although there are several different ways to tune, Tracey has created one based on G -scale. It can get used to playing notes that are next to each other on a music scale with different thumbs, but the sound produced is worth the effort.

depending on the type of style selected may have light sounds, if the tips are also called lamellas - attached to a flat piece of wood. When a hollow piece of wood is used, it often has a central hole located under the longest tip. Laying the thumb over a hole or moving in and out of the hole after playing the note can create a slight vibrato sound. Kalimbers who are excavated have a richer and more resonant sound, like xylophone, but quieter.

kalimbes can be found in several different sizes and are usually produced in the size of Celeste, Treble and Alto. The Celeste style has 17 spikes and cheers made on a flat plate, producing a brighter and higher sound. Treble Kalimbas use the structure of hollow boxes. Alto Kalimba usually has 15 spikes and lower, deeper notes.

You hear Mbir or Kalimba in a lot of African music as well as in African-Caribbean music. MN uses on the tool alsoOho modern music forms in the US. The Fusion Band Earth, Wind and Fire use the tool considerably. Hugh Tracey Kalimbas is still very popular and is sold from about $ 100 and $ 120 in the US (USD). Other manufacturers create other tool styles, change the number of notes and change the typical rectangular shape into round or semicircular shapes.