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This article explains this rich but confusing instrument Click to open the Karimba Shop page The first thing that is confusing about the karimba is that people assume its name is a misspelling of “kalimba.”  When I say “karimba,” I am referring to the traditional instrument that Andrew Tracey described as the “original mbira” from 1300 years ago. The name “karimba” can also refer to one of the new tunings we have derived from this ancient instrument. It certainly can be confusing:  does this instrument have 8 notes, 9 notes, 13, 15, or 17 notes?  Yes to all!  What key is it tuned to?  Great question!  Let’s not view these

Learn to play a kalimba version of the piano ostinato in Coldplay’s “Clocks” Click the link at bottom to hear Coldplay’s “Clocks” An ostinato is a motif or phrase that persistently repeats in the same musical voice.  Almost everybody knows the piano ostinato that provides the foundation for Coldplay’s compelling song “Clocks,” written a decade ago.  Evocative and haunting, this song seemingly brings to life a dream world.  (Click on the link below this post to hear it.)  While I’ve enjoyed this song since it came out, it never occurred to me to play it on kalimba until recently at a music therapy conference.  One of the attendees started playing “Clocks” on

The Songbird and Spirit Medium of Modern Zimbabwe Chiwoniso singing and playing karimba in a Kwanangoma-style resonator Klara Wojtkowska writes about the spiritual mythology of one of her mbira heroes. Chiwoniso Maraire was in love with her homeland, Zimbabwe, as only one who walks the narrow path between those who belong and those who are foreigners, can be. Born in Olympia, WA, young Chiwoniso and her siblings performed in the Maraire family ensemble. Her father, Dumisani Maraire, was a famous mbira player who trained at the Kwanangoma School. Her mother, as Chiwoniso described, was a marvelous singer. As a teenager she and her family moved back to Zimbabwe where Chiwoniso

My experience with karimba and mbira B. Michael Williams’ karimba, made by South Carolina mbira maker Andy Cox. Percussionist, composer, author and educator B. Michael Williams specializes in mbira, frame drums, djembe, and contemporary percussion. His mbira books are a great resource for any student of kalimba. Here are a few selections from Mr. Williams that give us a glimpse at a compelling and unique taste of his thoughts and experience with karimba and mbira.   A Rough Start My mbira journey began with Andy Cox’s karimba and Paul Berliner’s book, The Soul of Mbira.  Andy had made me a karimba. When he finished, we decided to meet at a

Chiwoniso found just where her voice fit, and it was on an F# karimba Chiwoniso, the late, gifted Zimbabwean-American musician, played a 15-note karimba. This instrument was originally taught at the historic Kwanangoma School of African Music in Zimbabwe, popularized by her father Dumisani Maraire as the “mbira nyunga nyunga.” It was usually tuned to the key of F. But Chiwoniso played her own 15-note in F#, in a not-uncommon musical strategy.  Often musicians will change the tuning of their instruments for the purposes of fostering their best singing (or that of the vocalists they accompany).  I myself play guitar for some women singers, and every time we try a

Africans and Europeans Both Used This Cool Trick Generally, when you encounter a kalimba, it is usually in a particular key.  The Alto usually comes in G major.  The Bb Treble comes in Bb.  The 17-Note African-tuned karimba comes in A (unless we retune it), and the 15-note karimba (aka mbira nyunga nyunga) comes in F. One usually plays a G major kalimba in G; but there are other ways.  You can actually pick a different note on the kalimba and make that one be the root note.  You establish a particular note as the root note by emphasizing it as “home base.”  You can emphasize a note as “home base”

It has been many weeks since our last Kalimba Magic newsletter.  I have been working very hard on a number of fronts, and I am very pleased to inform you of some of our recent accomplishments and offerings, many of which can benefit you.  Check and see!   Now through March 22, 2017 you can save 20% on any Sansula, Sansula case, Sansula instructional book or download, or any Hokema kalimba! Shop for Hokema Kalimbas This is what one enthusiastic customer had to say about the new Hokema B11 “Melody” Kalimba: “The B11 is like my dream kalimba! I LOVE it! The extra notes are just what I wanted, the

An anonymous donor has provided funds for five kalimbas The B11 Kalimba is a nice kalimba for music therapy clients Do you work with people through your music?  Have you found yourself wishing that you could just gift a kalimba to one of those people?  Did you ever think that if your client had a kalimba of their own, they would become more familiar with it, and that more love and music would blossom forth? In a collaboration between Kalimba Magic and a generous therapeutic musician who works using kalimbas, a grant is being offered to provide five kalimbas for the clients of therapeutic musicians. We are using the term “therapeutic musician” broadly