TIP: Fixing the BUZZ

Do any of your tines make a sound that annoys you? Learn to fix that!

To keep your kalimba sounding good, learning to tune is the most important thing. After that comes learning to fix the odd buzzy tine so that each note on the instrument can ring true. This tip points out the resources for removing the buzz and returning your kalimba to sounding clear.

When I  listen to other people’s kalimba recordings, I am often annoyed by nasty buzzing sounds.  I think “If only they knew how easy it is to fix those buzzes!”

Before I record a kalimba, I touch up on the tuning and make sure none of the tines are buzzing.  And what if some of the tines are buzzing?  I use one of the five main buzz fixing techniques.  

First I try to scoot the tine to the left or the right – does that simple trick remove the buzz?  It often does.  

My old standby method is to insert a sliver of paper between the offending tine and the cylindrical metal bridge piece.  This works well on all but the highest notes, where the paper tends to damp the tine’s natural sound too much.  

On rare occasions the paper sliver needs to be applied between the offending tine and the “Z-bracket”.

The torque method, in which you twist the tine clockwise or counterclockwise, is desirable in that you aren’t left with an unsightly sliver of paper sticking out from under the tine.

And last, the sand paper method in an important way to remove the buzz from one of the high notes.

You can learn more about how to apply these buzz fixes by following the link below.