High quality Kalimba brands and teaching chords? 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.
There are other use of kalimba beforehand, like a tool used by ancient tribal leaders in wars to communicate. It was also for ritual events to attract rains during droughts or to stop them in times of flooding. Another thing is for the deceased to help their spirit to rest in peace and drive away evil spirits. And of course, to heal the sick. With the discovery of the Musicologist Hugh Tracey in one of his trips to Africa the Mbira underwent remodeling. Kalimba was made to adapt to Western style but retain its totality. Tracey also took charge of its dissemination in various parts of the world. A few years later, Zimbabwe, during its colonial period, would go through a dark phase. In which the instrument lost popularity due to a campaign promoted by missionaries who preached its supposed evil essence. See extra info at kalimba tabs.
Although the Apelila Kalimba is made from solid mahogany wood, it’s available in a range of colors and designs. With exquisite etchings and details, this Apelila model combines the rich sounds offered by the solid mahogany construction with charming colors and designs. Claiming to be, ‘as smooth as spring water’, the Apelila Kalimba certainly lives up to the hype. Delivering a rich, full sound, it will delight the most experienced musicians and impress complete beginners alike. With carbon steel keys, you can be sure the Apelila Kalimba will stand the test of time. Engraved with letters, it’s perfect for beginners, who might need a little extra guidance when they’re starting out. Similarly, the accompanying user manual means you’ll be able to take the Apelila Kalimba out of the box and start making music immediately, even if you’re a complete novice.
Next up we have another bargain buy from the folks at Donner who always just about manage to undercut the competition. It is a typical trapezoid shaped kalimba (we have moved away from the adventurous bears) that is constructed from mahogany and is a little smaller in size than some. It features slight curves in place to provide hand rests. It is well-made and appears pretty durable the 17 featured tongues are steel with an engraved diatonic scale as well as numbers and it arrives well-tuned. It has a very basic bit of decor surrounding the sound hole and presents another nice affordable option for those torn on whether to invest in a kalimba. They also make a 10 note bass version that retails around the 20 dollar mark. It comes with a soft carry pouch, a tuning tool, and a user manual for easy reference. Find even more details on https://kalimba-tabs.com/.