Affordable Hollow Kalimbas in India - 7, 10, 17 and 21 Keys!

So you've been watching kalimba videos and you're already excited to take one on? Great idea! To my fellow desi fans asking where to buy, how to choose, prices and the kind of kalimbas available in the Indian market, this is for you.

Before moving ahead, let's understand what exactly is a hollow kalimba and what makes them so unique?

A hollow kalimba, as its name suggests, has a hollow body that creates a large chamber for the notes to resonate when the tines are plucked. You can usually recognise this type of kalimba by the circular or uniquely shaped hole on its front, just below the tines. There are also electric hollow kalimbas that allow you to connect to an amplifier. Perfect for those who are in a band or want to play around with special effects.

1. Kadence Pulse 10 Key Solid Mahogany Kalimba

Kadence is commonly known for their guitars, but did you know that they sell kalimbas too? Well, you do now. This brown kalimba from the house of Kadence, is a great sounding melodic instrument in a compact, handheld size. With its solid construction and an ergonomic shape you can experience the sound of pure joy as your fingers move through every key and resonating melody.

My First Kalimba From Global Village, Dubai!

This is a story about how I got my very first kalimba in Dubai!

Dubai is city I once called home for half a decade, and during my time in that gorgeous city there are plenty of unforgettable experiences that I still hold dear. Among those are trips to Global Village, one of the most fun-filled tourist attractions in the UAE, and where I was introduced to a kalimba.

Click to Listen to the Sounds of this Kalimba!

A trip to Global Village - 2016

Outside the African pavillion, lively music and fanfare emanated calling out to one and all. This was where I bought shea butter for the first time and it is still one of my favourite finds.

As I strolled around, I came upon a stall selling African music instruments where a colourful coconut shell kalimba with just 7 keys caught my eye. The shop-minder showed me how easy it is to create fun sounds on the tines. The arrangement was random, it sounded very relaxing, and was comforting to hold too. I was sold.

Sadly, I returned to Mumbai  to study a year later and mostly forgot about the little instrument.

A post-graduation treat - 2020

Last year, after completing my Human Resource Management studies, I treated myself to some kalimbas. I now own two 17 key kalimbas; a Gecko camphor flatboard and a Hluru rosewood hollow-box. The 21 key Lingting in walnut is another gift from a dear friend. I love all three of them and continue to share short videos on various social media platforms. 

Finally, a reunion - 2021

For a good while my belongings remained in Dubai until they were recently couriered to me this month. Finally, I was so happy to be reunited with my very first kalimba! It still feels good to play it just like the very first time I found it in Dubai.

Thus, so ends this little tale of my first kalimba.

Balancing Life with a Kalimba Even While You Work

Choosing an instrument to play is the first step towards entering a whole new world. It can be a fun-filled and exciting one, with lots of learning, and the effort you put into it will always be worthwhile.

Family responsibilities, a full-time job and other life priorities might leave little time to practice music. Add some pending reports along with accumulated work stress to the mix and hardly anyone can expect to be in the mood to pick up even a little instrument like the kalimba and play. Or can they?

Luckily, a kalimba is portable enough for roaming souls. So if finding time for the kalimba seems impossible when you have Zoom calls to attend and work on your mind, then this article just might bring about the change in perspective you need!

Caring for Stickers on Your Kalimba Tines

A quick search on YouTube for stickers and kalimba will likely have you watching multiple esthetically pleasing videos on how to apply stickers to the tines of a freshly unboxed kalimba. For those who have tried it out, it is especially pleasing when you finally manage to get them all aligned perfectly on the tines and look all  dressed-up and ready for some music practice.

Sticker placement, as we know, is an art in itself that requires steady digits besides a set of trusty tweezers. Even so, sticker mishaps can happen even to the best of us and can turn out to be a messy affair if done incorrectly. So if you or someone you know has been considering applying or removing the stickers on their tines, or perhaps looking for fresh ideas when it comes to stick-on kalimba decor, then this article might be what you need.

Fall in Love With These Gorgeous DIY Chromatic Kalimbas

Fancy building a chromatic kalimba? Take a look at these instruments for ideas!

December 2020 saw a wave of some very interesting chromatic kalimbas available for purchase that continue to gain popularity among musicians across the globe. Great looks, strong build and elegant finishing aside, the prices can be a bit steep for some.

With that in mind, a number of kalimba players decided to take things into their own hands. Quite literally in fact, by building their very own chromatic kalimbas. Some are dual-sided, while many more are dual layered chromatic kalimbas that are very unique from the ones available for purchase.

While the idea may seem both exciting and daunting, enthusiasts considering to self-build a chromatic kalimba should definitely plan their project well. 

Here is a self-survey before you decide if a DIY kalimba project is worth trying out

• Do you have experience working with wood
• Ever tried building a DIY kalimba kit before?
• Are you adept at using a tool kit?
• If not, is there someone or a workshop that can be of assistance?
• Are you musically knowledgeable enough when it comes to tuning the keys?
• Would you rather just buy a chromatic kalimba?

If the questions above inspired or deterred you in any way, no worries. You can still enjoy watching these self-made instruments made by kalimba hobbyists.

Merry Kalimba Christmas! Have a Jolly Time with 30+ Easy to Play Christmas Songs

Nothing like a festive mood for some merry music making. So get ready to warm hearts around the Christmas tree with these easy to play Christmas carols for the kalimba!

Here is a round up of some fine musicians who have kindly taken it upon themselves to share some merry melodies in classical and modern flavours that any thumb pianist will enjoy. Read on!

• Jennina Pascual Kalimba

With 30 Christmas songs to choose from you can pick a slow dreamy song or a catchier tune to play. Tabs are arranged for easy playing and experienced musicians and tweak the notes to make it more interesting. Links to all songs are shared below.

Considering Going Chromatic? Check Out These Kalimbas!

Take your kalimba music to the chromatic level!

Chromatic kalimbas have been around for quite some time and have recently received a surge in interest, especially among kalimba playing Youtubers. These instruments are an excellent step up from the diatonic kalimbas in 15, 17 or 21 keys, as they offer opportunities of complexity to the range of musical possibilities.

If you are wondering what makes a chromatic kalimba special, check out these articles for a quick introduction to the chromatic kalimba, as well as how to play a chromatic kalimba.

Here are some interesting chromatic kalimbas in various designs to play some beautiful music. Read on!

Kalimba Tabs Collection - Music Notes All in One Place!

Looking for a wider collection of music notes for your kalimba? Read on!

If you are a kalimba enthusiast with prior musical experience (piano especially), you may find it relatively easy to transpose notes on your own depending on the current instrument that you play. Even if you have not had any music lessons before, no worries. A little determination is all you will need to learn the kalimba.

Below is a highly varied collection that has been subdivided into categories of downloadable music sheets, music books and videos. Browse through and have the most melodious time of your life!

New to Kalimbas? Follow These Inspiring Kalimba Artists

Thinking of getting your first kalimba or have one and in need of some inspiration?

While a lot of kalimba playing musicians have some prior experience with learning music, many out there have decided to pick up the kalimba as their very first instrument. So take it slow and learn how to play at your own pace. The only competition you should be worried about is yourself.

There are a number of excellent kalimba players and each one has their own unique style that makes you want to learn to play. To help you out, here are a few kalimba artists that make your kalimba learning journey fun.

Kalimba Communities - Kalimba Forum, Facebook, Reddit and More!

Still undecided about the type of kalimba to buy?

Or perhaps you bought yourself a kalimba and have no clue where to start?

Do you have a key or tine that does not resonate very well and need to ask someone about it?

Learning to play a kalimba is fun, and what makes it an even better experience is being connected within a community dedicated especially for kalimba players. While YouTube, Instagram and other social platforms are great for sharing song covers, there are some highly interactive kalimba channels that are very responsive to queries. Some even post uniquely informative kalimba content for beginners as well as experienced kalimba players.

A well-organised community invites discussion and plenty of learning. So if you want to interact with other kalimbaists, get going and join any or all of the communities below.