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Your cart is empty. Red Cedar thumb piano, 5" x 7", 17 steel keys and two vibrato holes on the back.
The thumb piano originates in Africa. It is also known as the mbira, kalimba or likembe. The metal keys are mounted on a wooden box that acts as the resonating chamber.
To play, rest the thumb piano on the fingers of both hands and hold it between your palms. Cover the vibrato holes with your fingers. Then pluck the keys with your thumbs. As you play you can un-cover and cover the vibrato holes as you like. Many different tunings are acceptable, according to personal preference. Specific tuning of a thumb piano is only an issue when two instruments are played together; then they should generally agree in tuning. Otherwise, the tuning is subjective and should only be pleasing to the player.
The longer keys have lower pitches and shorter keys have higher pitches. The keys can be adjusted by tapping them in or out to adjust their length, and therefore their pitch.
Liam
Reviewed in Australia on January 5, 2021
Would not recommend buying this item.It arrived completely out of tune and has stains on all of the tines.In addition to that, the higher tines are almost completely void of any vibration and the overall quality of sound is average at best.If I could rate this zero stars, I would.
Mark T
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2020
The keys are not easily adjustable. Kind of what i expected for a low quality product. Definitely for beginners as more experienced users would throw it in a drawer or the garbage.
Donnie Jones
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2019
This Kalimba is high quality and sounds great however the only downside I have about this particular one is that it didn't come with a tuning hammer. I don't know how common it is to ship with a hammer but unfortunately this didn't have one which is largely the reason I returned it. If you're in the market for an awesome, high quality Kalimba, this is your best bet.
A HONEST BUYER
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2018
Sorry to do this but do not buy this. The tines are not tunable and the sound is not up to tuning. I have been playing kalimba for a while, and I was disappointed.
Sharon S.
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2017
Hard to figure out how to tune it. Instructions aren't good - not in English.
Enrix
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2017
My daughter loves it. She is writing a new song with this instrument.
Ysabel Bangayan
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2017
Sounds great! It was easy to tune, not a hassle whatsoever. Love this instrument!
Kyle
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2017
When I got this, I almost cried. I've always wanted a kalimba. Just a note that it does not come tuned in any way. The small instructions in the bottom of the box, however, gave clear instructions on how to tune it to the key of D. You can of course tune however you see fit.Otherwise, feels great in the hands, no jagged edges or sharp points. No cracks, dents, or otherwise unsightly scratches on it. I may try to buy another at some point in the future to have a second key rather than retuning. Also, make sure you have fingernails on your thumbs or you're going to hurt.
Vicki W.
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2017
Beautiful instrument. Used to get into trouble when drumming quietly on a l'ADN in class brought this in and everyone loved it including the teacher. Beautiful warm tone. Only complaint I see in the normal g major tuning you have to tune it one note higher on the lowest key, other wise it is a beautiful instrument. That wood and craftsman ship is truly amazing. Pair this with some Alaska piks and you have an amazing instrument. Could not recommend enough
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