May 16, 2007
On Playing Different Kalimbas

Before I branched out into different kalimbas, I played guitar, bass, and mandolin. These are all string instruments, and the possibility of getting confused exists. However, on each instrument, I learned enough material and enough of a style so that I sort of hold a gestalt for each one in my mind. Each has its own voice, and it is almost like I hold my body differently to make that voice come out of me and the instrument. And I never get confused - mandolin is mandolin, guitar is guitar.

The same possibility of confusion exists on kalimba. I advise you not to pick up a second kalimba until you have a sense of song and voice from the first kalimba - unless your first kalimba is just such a dog that you can't connect with it. As you connect with each kalimba, file away in your brain that kalimba's personality, its voice, and the ways you hold it and help to make it sing. Then you will have little problem in picking up other kalimbas.