Save 50% on Pentatonic Kalimbas

Use the coupon code Penta50 to save 50% on one of these Pentatonic Kalimbas: the Hugh Tracey Celeste Pentatonic Kalimbas, the Hugh Tracey Box Pentatonic Kalimbas, and the Moon-10 Kalimbas.

Code Penta50 is good through Dec 6 2023.

Video Illustrating the Various Pentatonic Kalimba Tunings

Why Do You Want a Pentatonic Kalimba?

The Hugh Tracey pentatonic kalimbas have 11 notes, covering two octaves from G3 to G5.  The pentatonic kalimba has fewer notes that other kalimbas, but still covers a similar range from low to high. This means there is more physical space between the tines, and more sonic space in between the notes. The experience you will have playing these kalimbas will be significantly different from other kalimbas. There is more freedom and playfulness, but you will not be able to play nearly as many songs (due to missing some notes). So, you learn to play within the sonic space that the pentatonic tuning provides.

And the cool thing is that there are actually a whole bunch of different pentatonic scales. The video above shows you a few of them. And at Kalimba Magic, not only did we spearhead the exploration of some of these scales on kalimbas… we may be the only ones providing kalimbas in these tunings to the world. Oh well! Only Earth and Sky Last Forever.

Check Out These Pentatonic Kalimbas

Hugh Tracey Box Pentatonic Kalimba

The Box Pentatonic is mounted on the larger Alto box, with the wide Alto tines… but with the 11 notes spread out across the same distance as the Alto’s 15 tines. Of course, you get all of the wah-wah sounds from covering and uncovering the sound holes.

Hugh Tracey Box Pentatonic Kalimba + PU

Same instrument, but with an electronic pickup and a 1/4 inch jack.

Hugh Tracey Celeste (Board-mounted) Pentatonic Kalimba

The Celeste Pentatonic Kalimba is mounted on a smaller board. This has the same footprint as the Treble kallimba… and hence all of the 17-note kalimbas in C. But the thickness of the kalimba is quite a bit narrower than the box kalimbas. The solid board is not as loud as the box. It has a simpler, music-box-like sound.

Hugh Tracey Celeste (Board-mounted) Pentatonic Kalimba + PU

Same instrument, but with an electronic pickup embedded in the solid board body, and a 1/4 inch jack.

Moon-10 Pentatonic Kalimba

These 10-Note pentatonic kalimbas have two interesting features: the double row of tines, and the frame drum resonant structure for mind-blowing sound effects. Really, you could get three or four of these, in various tunings, and go on different sonic journeys with each one.

Phases of the Moon: Moon-10 Alternative Tunings

Learn About Instructional Material for Pentatonics

Learn About Instructional Materials for Moon-10 Kalimbas

Kalimba Magic Closing in Spring 2024.

I will be retiring in spring 2024. At this time, Kalimba Magic does not have a buyer, so I am liquidating my stock of kalimbas and books.

I am trying to sell off my inventory at a substantial discount, but in an orderly way that doesn’t disrupt the kalimba market. Each week, I will be offering a different kalimba at a steep discount. If I don’t run out of that kalimba, I will eventually come around later and offer an even steeper discount. But if I run out of a certain kalimba, I am out of that kalimba, and I won’t be getting any more of them. Sorry.

So, I invite you to purchase the kalimba of your dreams now, before they are gone, and before I am done with my business. Or, I invite you to sit around and wait for the deals to get even better somewhere down the line.

Last week, we ran a 45% discount code on traditionally-tuned karimbas. That sale is ongoing until Nov 15 2023.

Kalimba Magic – Since 2005

When I started Kalimba Magic in 2005, I never expected it would end. I was just living my joy, and sharing it with the world. Writing books to show the world how to play, and writing blogs and making videos. Giving lessons and presentations on the kalimba, karimba, and mbira. It was all a blast.

But things change. I cannot persist in the current business climate, dominated by inexpensive Chinese-made kalimbas and cut-throat competition in which my books and website have been pirated to benefit others.

I’m on my way out. I am closing my doors in 4-6 months. We will continue hosting and selling instructional kalimba downloads. We may partner with other kalimba sellers. But we will be done with shipping.

This is a shame, because Kalimba Magic offers a great many unique kalimba styles and tunings, and most of them have high quality instructional materials.  For over a decade, Kalimba Magic dominated the kalimba ecosystem online. But at this point, I cannot keep up.

If you have been intending to get something special that only Kalimba Magic offers, you may want to contact me about that. Sooner rather than later?

It has been a privilege, and usually, a joy, to serve the Kalimba Community. It isn’t quite time for “over and out” – but I’m getting there.

Blessings, and Thank You!

Oh, and use the code Else25 to save 25% of everything else we sell at Kalimba Magic. And Else25 will not expire until we close our doors.

Mark Holdaway // Kalimba Magic // Tucson AZ // November 19 2023