Simple "Kalimba" with notes configured same as a Hang Drum

This is a sort of kalimba with the notes configured like a hang drum.
It is a simple little "play-thing" made by glueing two
disks of 1/8" plywood (from an old door) onto either side of a
quickly sawn out "O" of 3/4" thick plywood (all but the perimeter
3/8" sawn away, leaving just a wooden "O").
It's easy to see how the twangers are made from bobby-pins and a bit
of steel filed out of the innards of a Chevy windshield-wiper blade.
I initially put a small soundhole in the top but was rather puzzled
to see that the thing sounded better without a soundhole (thus the
glued-on, smashed-flat Pilsner-Urquell bottle cap blocking the soundhole.
This video is obviously not meant to be any sort of musical performance,
but rather just to illustrate how this simple but fun instrument is made.
Dennis Havlena http://www.DennisHavlena.com
PS: I'm temporarily allowing comments here. Don't mean to be difficult but over the years nasty comments have irked the bejabbers out of me. I'm in this "game" for the sheer fun of it -- not to have to deal with nastiness.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• kalimba
• hang
• drum
• havlena
• hank

[dhavlena]

Here u are again voyages! I have heard of this, but know nothing about it.

Interesting! will follow up

Thanks

Dennis

[KaelinBoone]

Hey Dennis I stumbled upon your channel while searching through various make your own instrument projects. I've been looking at your instructions on who to make various instruments on your web site and must say I am mightily impressed! I've always had a love for the obscure folk instruments and am going dedicate the next four months to taking a swing at making just about everything you have on here! Thanks for all the awesome instructions and ideas you are the poor folk players savior!

[GaeyleSong]

Star of the County Down Sounds very Plucky this way - way cool!

[VoyagesinMusic]

nice work. have you ever heard of the sansula? it is a kalimba with goat or synthetic skin around it and it gives it a wah effect, quite celestial sound. maybe an idea for your next project.

[zunukoo]

we sell these where I work, it's made form half a coconut. it's a thumb piano.

[MrBeatles4eva]

SOOO AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!

[SASunDog]

I am glad you have allowed comments so that I can tell you what an inspiration you have been to me. Thank you!

[kingovviking]

I love it!!!!! It seems as though it would be awkward to play though?



[dumle29]

i want more vids of you playing this :D this is so relaxing :D

[scalesound]

Yes, very interesting idea and nice sound !