The Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba is the second most popular type of kalimba sold
by Kalimba Magic (the first being the Alto). Why get this instead of the Alto? It fits better in smaller
hands; it has a slightly higher
range better able to punch over guitars; and, with 17 notes, it has more possibilities
for musical complexity.
A modification of the Treble kalimba which puts the root in the
top note (you choose:
D, Eb, Db, or C) is called the
D treble kalimba, and it
also comes as the
D treble kalimba with electric pickup.
These kalimbas are also set up like an Alto kalimba with two extra low notes,
which would allow you to se any book written for the Alto with your Treble.
A new modification of the Treble kalimba which puts the root in the bass
note (you choose:
Bb, A, B, or C) is called the Bb treble kalimba, and it
also comes as the
Bb Treble kalimba with electric pickup.
These kalimbas are set up like an Alto kalimba with two extra high notes,
which would allow you to use
any book written for the Alto with your Treble. Check out the video below, which shows me playing Lennon/McCartney's "Nowhere Man" on the Bb Treble Kalimba.
Nowhere Man on the Bb Treble Kalimba. This music is available for the Treble kalimba in PDF Tablature and in KTabS Tablature.
There are many other tunings for the Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba, but I recommend that you start with the standard G major tuning. Most of the tips, tablature, and books were written for the standard tuning, so a good path to follow is to keep your kalimba in the key of G for a year or two or three as you learn, and then branch out into other tunings as you progress. Of course, the Kalimba Doctor at Kalimba Magic can
retune your current treble kalimba any way you like!
Standard tuning for the Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba.
Kalimba Magic has a series of books that
use our great kalimba
tablature. Learning songs and exercises through
tablature is fun and easy, and all of the exercises in the
books is also available in KTabS format for your computer.
Kalimba Duets and Trios
includes 32 duets and trios for alto, treble, pentatonic, 8-note,
karimba, sansula, treblito, and Cloud Nine marimbula (bass kalimba).
72 pages, no CD, but free KTabS files.
Treble Kalimba Hymnal arr. by Sharon Eaton, this book
has 50 hymns, ranging from simple to difficult.
Amazing Grace, How Can I Keep From Singing,
Jesus Loves Me, There is a Balm in Gilead,
What a Friend We Have in Jesus, and 45 others.
Classical Treble arr. by Mark Holdaway
and Sharon Eaton, is available both in
book form and in
KTabS download.
This book
has 20 favorite classical melodies, ranging from simple to
very challenging. Bach, Handel, Holst, Pachelbel, and many others,
this collection will keep you busy for months, if not years.
Available in KTabS format only, sorry no books yet!
12 Easter Hymns for Treble Kalimba arr. by Mark Holdaway.
Each hymn comes in both a (B) basic and an (A) advanced arrangement.
Basic parts are melody only, while
advanced parts come with harmony and some counterpoint.
These hymns are provided in both KTabS and
PDF format, but MP3s are not yet available.
Available only as download.
Introductory Pieces for the Happy Family by Mark Holdaway.
The Happy Family is an Alto, a Treble, and a HotShot-11 kalimba, all tuned to
G so they can communicate and harmonize like a good family at its best.
To help turn folks on to the possibilities of this serendipitous ensemble, I have started to write
music. At this point, the download is small and FREE!
Available as download only.
Coming Soon:
African American Spirituals
for Treble Kalimba,
arr. by Mark Holdaway
The Tuesday Tips and the
Wednesday Tips
are filled with great insights for developing skills on the Treble kalimba.
Below is a list of selected tips. Note that
most of them use tablature.
