Top Kalimba brands and teaching songs? Now, considering that there are a whole range of Kalimbas to choose from, this is easier said than done. That’s why we’re here. We have gathered together the Top 10 Best Kalimba on the market, and have written this review to help you decide which one is the perfect Kalimba for you.
In case you didn’t know, some Kalimbas come equipped with a pickup. So, for those who like to rock it loud and proud, this is the perfect Kalimba for you – the Vangoa 17 Key Kalimba. It still sounds like your typical Kalimba but, you can do so much more with it sound wise. As you probably know, a pickup makes it possible for you to hook the instrument up to an amplifier. Exactly as you would do with an electric guitar. This means that you can turn up the volume and use this for onstage performances. Be careful though, pickups do tend to detract from the exotic sound of your Kalimba a little. So, you might experience a different sound with using the pickup and when you don’t. Even though the Kalimba is not supposed to be altered in terms of its sound when amplified, there are no rules that say that it can’t be. So if you want to play a distorted, screaming Kalimba solo through a guitar amplifier on max, then go for it. Experimentation and innovation are, after all, how great music is made.
The kalimba is an instrument from the family of idiophone instruments; of African origins, from the Shona region (Zimbabwe) it is also known as Mbira, Sansa, and it was introduced into the Western world by Hugh Tracey in 1920; the Kalimba is a modernized version of the Mbira and its evolution is a faithful reflection of the culture and essence of the regions where it has been played. Also known as a thumb-piano, it can be played by holding it with both hands using the thumbs (like a smartphone). Previously, it was made with sheets made of wood or bamboo, but over time its development led it to perfection by using metal sheets that were later adopted. See extra details on kalimba tabs.
Featuring manganese steel keys, the JDR Kalimba is designed to offer enhanced flexibility and toughness. Easy on the fingers and delivering a clear, crisp sound, the JDR Kalimba has impressed almost everyone who has tried it. Unlike some other kalimbas on the market, the JDR Kalimba has embossed notes and letters, so you won’t find that they wear off over time. The sound box is handmade from solid mahogany, with variable tree growth giving each instrument a unique grain and shading. At just $35, the JDR Kalimba retails at a great price, particularly given its high quality and exceptional performance. With faultless user reviews, it’s clear that the JDR Kalimba is a leader in the field.
This next kalimba is another 17 key option which seems to be the norm for westernized kalimbas. It is once again carved from solid mahogany giving it great natural acoustic properties, The tongue tines are made from manganese steel for a crisper sound with more attack and better brightness as it is tough but sufficiently flexible. It is again handmade and it has an intricate inlay around the sound-hole which is a little smaller comparatively than some on the market but creates a fantastic sound nonetheless. It has embossed notes on each key but in all honesty, they are a little harder to see that on the Gecko but it does come with green and red sticker decals to help make the learning process a little easier and much more visual. It also comes with a detailed booklet with some song arrangements to play from the get-go and is also sold with a protective EVA case with a tuning hammer. Find even more information at https://kalimba-tabs.com/.