I just bought a hugh tracy alto and I am in love ! I play muti instruments my whole life for real; but playing the kalimaba, sansula.. and being able to retune it to all world scales blows my mind! This is one of the coolest instruments in this world it is the past and the future vibe! IMO
my mom found one of these at a garage sale yesterday, first thing i did was retune it to C major and i got curious to what the name was since there was nothing on it, and i landed here :D. this little thing has got some huge music potential.
i have a kalimba, with 5 strings and a hole but it is under those strings. is it a real kalima? its made of old African material, no idea what it is, its like wood or cardboard very weird...
I have written over 25 different books and instructional downloads for different types of kalimbas. There is one for the Sansula, a 9-note kalimba, but I suspect you have a different type. As each type of kalimba has different notes, each one needs a different book - which keeps me busy!
One idea: if 8 of your 9 notes are tuned to "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do" in a right-left-right-left alternating pattern you can use the 8-Note materials.
Wow~ That was so beautiful that you've inspired me to start playing the kalimba! I can't believe this isn't as popular as the ocarina. I think this instrument even better! Now all I need to do is find some way to convince my parents to let me buy this instrument... and a way to explain what a kalimba is.
I just found you today. I said in the previous post that I was going to try playing because I thought I had the very instrument you were playing but what does the Bb treble mean? I'm guessing I don't exactly have the one instrument you have. Your playing is so much fun and inspirational. Such a wonderful sound from such a simple construction, so portable and mellow. Thanks for another wonder ful post.
The standard Treble is a 17 note kalimba with 5 painted tines, key of G, but lowest note is Bb. The Alto Kalimba (meine Muttersprache) is 15 tines with 6 painted, key of G, and the lowest note is G. I invented the Bb Treble - start with a Treble, strip the paint off the 5 painted tines, tune the B down to Bb and make it the root (Ok, also F#==> F and E==>Eb) and repaint 6 tines so it LOOKS and FEELS like an ALTO. If you have a standard Treble, we've got instructional materials for it. -M
I recommend thumb nails or Alaska Pics (guitar finger picks you can wear on your thumbs). I have two clients who do a soft strum technique using their thumb flesh, but most people who try it that way find it hurts. Using my nails, I can play for 6 hours a day without any pain. Thumb nail care then becomes a big issue (just as it is for classical guitarsts). -M
how to learn to play this instrument so beautiful like you? is there a manual or something or should i refer just to my own rythm? thank you, you're very very good
I wandered in the wilderness for about 10 years myself (ie, I referred to my own rhythm) -- but in addition to improvisation, I also make set arrangements, and I write them out and put them into Kalimba Instructional Books. In fact, you can find me online by searching on "Kalimba Instructional Books". -Mark
I wandered in the wilderness for about 10 years myself (ie, I referred to my own rhythm) -- but in addition to improvisation, I also make set arrangements, and I write them out and put them into Kalimba Instructional Books. In fact, you can find me online by searching on "Kalimba Instructional Books". -Mark
No, the layout is very different from xylophone, in that the notes alternate from Left to Right - so three adjacent notes on one side will make a triad, and octaves are on opposite sides of the instrument.
Well, this kalimba has no F#. This one is in Bb - the lowest note is a Bb, and it also has Eb.
But the typical tuning does have an F#, because the Alto Kalimba's lowest happy note is G (the box is not big enough to resonate with lower notes), and making the lowest note be the root is a conceptually nice thing to do for the player. Hence, you need an F#. -M
I just bought a hugh tracy alto and I am in love ! I play muti instruments my whole life for real; but playing the kalimaba, sansula.. and being able to retune it to all world scales blows my mind! This is one of the coolest instruments in this world it is the past and the future vibe! IMO
Thank you so much!
4life20music 1 week ago
my mom found one of these at a garage sale yesterday, first thing i did was retune it to C major and i got curious to what the name was since there was nothing on it, and i landed here :D. this little thing has got some huge music potential.
DJBigz1988 4 months ago
i have a kalimba, with 5 strings and a hole but it is under those strings. is it a real kalima? its made of old African material, no idea what it is, its like wood or cardboard very weird...
theemo8 6 months ago
OH my aunt has one I WANNA HAVE IT NOW
GuyAroundTheCornerHB 6 months ago
It is a sound hole, like on a guitar.
BUT - Watch the video "First Look Inside" and see how I wave my thumb around over the hole, and see what it does to the sound - "wah wah!"
kalimbamagic 9 months ago 2
are kalimbas known as thumb pianos?
igotsmoshedify 9 months ago
Yes!
kalimbamagic 9 months ago
This song puts me in a good mood. =)
TwiddleXTormenT 10 months ago
beautiful son!!! compraré una para mi hija la proxima vez que la vea!! me encanto este instrumento!!:)
tehuanasi73 10 months ago
It sounds like a music box....very delicate and beautiful!
nekotanmori 1 year ago
i got a 9 note kalimba and it doesnt have the hole in the center, how do i learn how to play it?
ThePower2112 1 year ago
I have written over 25 different books and instructional downloads for different types of kalimbas. There is one for the Sansula, a 9-note kalimba, but I suspect you have a different type. As each type of kalimba has different notes, each one needs a different book - which keeps me busy!
One idea: if 8 of your 9 notes are tuned to "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do" in a right-left-right-left alternating pattern you can use the 8-Note materials.
Good luck! -Mark
kalimbamagic 1 year ago
so thats how a gameboy looked back in the days :)
nice tune btw!
DeadRabbitsWompy 1 year ago 11
Stone age, bro!
kalimbamagic 1 year ago 5
@DeadRabbitsWompy you made my day
Ey3shi3ld 1 year ago
Wow~ That was so beautiful that you've inspired me to start playing the kalimba! I can't believe this isn't as popular as the ocarina. I think this instrument even better! Now all I need to do is find some way to convince my parents to let me buy this instrument... and a way to explain what a kalimba is.
Celia104 1 year ago
Thank you for your help
lakenewell 1 year ago
I just found you today. I said in the previous post that I was going to try playing because I thought I had the very instrument you were playing but what does the Bb treble mean? I'm guessing I don't exactly have the one instrument you have. Your playing is so much fun and inspirational. Such a wonderful sound from such a simple construction, so portable and mellow. Thanks for another wonder ful post.
lakenewell 1 year ago
The standard Treble is a 17 note kalimba with 5 painted tines, key of G, but lowest note is Bb. The Alto Kalimba (meine Muttersprache) is 15 tines with 6 painted, key of G, and the lowest note is G. I invented the Bb Treble - start with a Treble, strip the paint off the 5 painted tines, tune the B down to Bb and make it the root (Ok, also F#==> F and E==>Eb) and repaint 6 tines so it LOOKS and FEELS like an ALTO. If you have a standard Treble, we've got instructional materials for it. -M
kalimbamagic 1 year ago
Does it help to have nails when you try to play this?
The1andonlyCandyMan 1 year ago
I recommend thumb nails or Alaska Pics (guitar finger picks you can wear on your thumbs). I have two clients who do a soft strum technique using their thumb flesh, but most people who try it that way find it hurts. Using my nails, I can play for 6 hours a day without any pain. Thumb nail care then becomes a big issue (just as it is for classical guitarsts). -M
kalimbamagic 1 year ago
how to learn to play this instrument so beautiful like you? is there a manual or something or should i refer just to my own rythm? thank you, you're very very good
fenotipobombay 1 year ago
I wandered in the wilderness for about 10 years myself (ie, I referred to my own rhythm) -- but in addition to improvisation, I also make set arrangements, and I write them out and put them into Kalimba Instructional Books. In fact, you can find me online by searching on "Kalimba Instructional Books". -Mark
kalimbamagic 1 year ago
I wandered in the wilderness for about 10 years myself (ie, I referred to my own rhythm) -- but in addition to improvisation, I also make set arrangements, and I write them out and put them into Kalimba Instructional Books. In fact, you can find me online by searching on "Kalimba Instructional Books". -Mark
kalimbamagic 1 year ago
I love this! I just posted a video response of me playing it. But I just use a plain old guitar.
jamfab1 1 year ago
Muy, muy bueno,
GRACIAS °°°°
Pueltaro 2 years ago
GG man
lejuju 2 years ago
nice *___*
Headphonesplugged 2 years ago
Haha! I love how you do the banjo rolls on it, who would have thought of that.
lonewoodwose 2 years ago
DUDE this sounds just like the beginning of mario, yoshi's island for SNES "when mario is a baby and you are playing as Yoshi"
awesome
drumbassguitar 2 years ago 15
@drumbassguitar First thing that came to mind. a kalimba is pretty much the layout of a zylophone/marimba but the sound of a music box/glockenspiel.
BludRedDragon 6 months ago
No, the layout is very different from xylophone, in that the notes alternate from Left to Right - so three adjacent notes on one side will make a triad, and octaves are on opposite sides of the instrument.
kalimbamagic 6 months ago
@kalimbamagic Oh yeah, but i was talking basics, like the fact that they both have keys in a line.
How much did this one cost?
BludRedDragon 6 months ago
It's funny how such a simple instrument can make such a beautiful noise. Very well done!!!
BellyRubProductions 3 years ago 2
You are so good! Thank you for sharing your beautiful music with us :)
peacefulmothernature 3 years ago
sweet as it can be nice nice nice
curbshoppin 3 years ago
Beautiful again please!
perucane 3 years ago
nice
youseiss 3 years ago
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dwarttylucas 3 years ago
The only thing I think is weird about a kalimba is that it replaces F with and F#. It doesn't really make sense.
mazrocon 3 years ago
Well, this kalimba has no F#. This one is in Bb - the lowest note is a Bb, and it also has Eb.
But the typical tuning does have an F#, because the Alto Kalimba's lowest happy note is G (the box is not big enough to resonate with lower notes), and making the lowest note be the root is a conceptually nice thing to do for the player. Hence, you need an F#. -M
kalimbamagic 3 years ago
I have one of these, too, which I usually keep in it's factory G major (though I've played with some other tunings, as well). Do you mean Bb major?
OhThatsGold 3 years ago
It's just in a different tuning. It's not very complicated. It makes sense in that tuning.
hippihair98 3 years ago
I want one of these!
Threefaced1 3 years ago
Me tooo!
earthrockery 3 years ago
Great Job! That's got to be a first. 5tars!
ib2fast 4 years ago
Bravo! Very cool!!
nikongigio 4 years ago
Beautiful! Thank you very much.
raroyce 4 years ago
This is really cool! You are right in the pocket with your playing. Obviously you've done some practicing! Very well done.
DuaneGibson 4 years ago