Kalimba chords and top brands list? 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.
We love the Gecko 17 Key Kalimba for its style and design. It looks quite high end and is really attractive. In fact, everything about the packaging of this Kalimba gives you the feeling of luxury. Now, this is handmade. And Gecko sourced high-quality mahogany to make the body of this instrument. As for the tines, they decided to go for ore steel. In combination, these two materials give the Kalimba an outstanding look. But beyond the looks, the mahogany body and ore steel tines also give this Kalimba its characteristic sound. It’s a clean and very clear sound. In feel also, we are impressed by the Gecko 17 Key Kalimba. It’s superb and you’ll love running your fingers over this instrument. It is moderately priced, although we wouldn’t exactly call it budget. And so, to protect your investment, Gecko gives you an EVA protective box. This screams of quality and will definitely keep your Kalimba safe in case of accidents.
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. Find more details at kalimba tabs.
Along with the kalimba and user manual, Apelila treats you to a tuning hammer, stickers, velvet bag, and two finger picks. Again, you won’t get a waterproof case with this model, so you may want to invest in one of these separately. Any instrument constructed from wood can be damaged by the elements, so a hardier case might be needed. However, the Apelila Kalimba is one of the lowest-priced kalimbas on the market and it certainly performs better than you’d expect. Retailing at around $22, you can’t fail to be impressed by the quality and craftmanship on show. Ideal for beginners, as well as more experienced players, the Apelila Kalimba is a great choice if you want to bag yourself a quality instrument without blowing your budget.
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. See extra information at https://kalimba-tabs.com/.