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What books are available?
Here we list most of the books and downloads offered by Kalimba Magic, organized by kalimba type. Each book has a short description, an image, and a link to the product in the store. And be sure to remember the coupon code BOOK30
to get a 30% discount.
The Alto Fundamentals Book is a good introduction to the Alto kalimbas. The book also applies to the Bb Treble kalimba, the D Treble kalimba, and the front side of the G-tuned Chromatic kalimba. It covers technique, chords, scales, left-right exercises, some songs. 32 pages with CD.Purchase Book/Download
These 10 traditional African karimba pieces were given to Andrew Tracey and Paul F. Berliner through Jega Tapera, an African elder from Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), in the 1960s. The age of these pieces could be as much as 1000 years old. Arranged by Mark Holdaway for the Alto kalimba, they are provided in both KTabS and PDF format. MP3s of all the songs played in this download are provided to allow you to hear how the pieces go, even if you aren’t able to run KTabS on your computer. Available as download only.Purchase Book/Download
This download consists of a ZIP FILE containing tablature PDFs, KTabS files, and MP3s for each of 11 traditional African Karimba songs, arranged for the Hugh Tracey Alto Kalimba in G. These songs and their multiple variations were collected from the literature by Ivodne Galatea, with assistance from Mark Holdaway.
Important note: these songs were created on the African Tuned Karimba, also known as the mbira nyunga nyunga, and it is possible to play them on the Alto kalimba, but it is more challenging, and will require some special tricks – in other words, learning them will involve work, but these pieces should be worth the effort you put into them.
25 favorite Christmas carols, ranging from simple, single note melody lines, through two note harmonies, full harmonies, and counterpoint. 32 pages with CD. 75% of this book is for the Alto kalimba and 25% is for the Treble kalimba. These are easier than the advanced carols collection.Purchase Book/Download
Arranged by Mark Holdaway, this collection is available as a
book or as a download. Both have 20 favorite Christmas Carols; the
download provides KTabS files, tablature PDFs, and MP3s of the songs played by KTabS, letting you hear how each piece goes, with or without the KTabS program. The arrangements here are very close to those I use when I perform these carols at Christmas time.Purchase Book/Download
Arranged by Mark Holdaway and Sharon Eaton, this collection is available in book form or as a download from KTabS. Both have 20 favorite classical melodies, ranging from simple to very challenging. Including Bach, Handel, Holst, Pachelbel, and many others, this assamblage will keep you busy for months, if not years.Purchase Book/Download
Arranged 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.Purchase Book/Download
“African-American Spirituals”, arranged by Mark Holdaway, is available as both a book and as a download. There is documentation that the African kalimba was first brought to the New World by African slaves in the 18th century (evidence of kalimbas was found in Brazil and the Caribbean, also in New Orleans which is the only known North American site). The Alto kalimba was created by the Englishman Hugh Tracey, based on an ancient African instrument, with the objective of using the kalimba to play Western music and appeal to Western ears. The Alto kalimba is a unique composite of African and Western traditions, as indeed are African-American spirituals. The download provides both KTabS and PDF format, and a CD is included with the book.Purchase Book/Download
The foundational book for the classic Treble kalimba in G. This comprehensive introduction to the Treble covers technique, chords, scales, left-right exercises, and songs. This book is 32 pages, and comes with with a CD that contains all the songs and exercises.Purchase Book/Download
Arranged 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.Purchase Book/Download
Arranged 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! INSERT LINK(s)Purchase Book/Download
This book has the same 20 Christmas Carols as the advanced Alto book, but arranged for the Hugh Tracey Treble. Some songs, such as Silent Night and O Holy Night come across much better on the Treble as they require those higher notes that just aren’t there on the Alto or the Bb Treble kalimbas.Purchase Book/Download
This download represents the original arrangements for the advanced Christmas Carols, which I made and wrote out first for the Bb Treble kalimba. I like the Bb Treble kalimba best for these Christmas Carols, and there are two more notes available than the Alto kalimba.Purchase Book/Download
Download of 66 songs taken from the Trad. African, Spirituals, Folk Songs, Peace Songs, Americana, Classical, and Christmas carol repertoire.Purchase Book/Download
Download of 66 songs taken from the Trad. African, Spirituals, Folk Songs, Peace Songs, Americana, Classical, and Christmas carol repertoire.Purchase Book/Download
There is not yet a completed book for the Chromatic Kalimba. but I have made a lot of progress on the instrument, as have many other players. Since I have been trying to work on the Chromatic Kalimba book for so many years, I invite you to download this
poorly configured draft book for the Chromatic Kalimba. It has some useful insights into how to play this instrument, and some music that gently adds the chromatic notes. Another useful thing you can do is to get an
Alto book to instruct you on playing the front side of the kalimba.
A broad introduction to the layout and the possibilities of this ancient African instrument. With 42 pages, many illustrations, 45 exercises presented in attractive and easy-to-grasp tablature, and a CD illustrating how to play each exercise, this book covers left-right integration, common rhythmic figures, and explores the harmonic potential of the karimba. Wrote the late John R. Raush in the journal Percussive Notes: “Aspiring karimbists… could wish for no better way to help them become proficient on these exotic instruments.”Purchase Book/Download
A book for the lower eight (with an optional ninth) notes of the karimba, an instrument which Andrew Tracey calls the “kalimba core” and the “original mbira”. This is one of our best books, and it can be used to learn to play the lower row of notes on the full 17-note karimba or even a rustic mbira nyunga nyunga. Includes traditional tunes documented in the 1950s by Hugh Tracey, in the 1960s by Andrew Tracey, and in the 1970s by Paul F. Berliner, plus some easier pieces to help you get started, along with some complex original compositions by the author.Purchase Book/Download
These songs and their multiple variations include music notated by Paul F. Berliner, Andrew Tracey, A.M. Jones, and other songs collected from the kalimba literature by Ivodne Galatea and Mark Holdaway. The definitive collection of Karimba Music – for the 17-Note African-tuned Karimba in A.Purchase Book/Download
These songs and their multiple variations include music notated by Paul F. Berliner, Andrew Tracey, A.M. Jones, and other songs collected from the kalimba literature by Ivodne Galatea and Mark Holdaway. The definitive collection of Karimba Music – for the 17-Note African-tuned Karimba in A.Purchase Book/Download
MP3 files are tuned to G instead of A. From Andrew Tracey and Paul F. Berliner’s transcriptions in the 60s and 70s, we present these traditional karimba tunes in modern kalimba tablature. This download contains PDF (tablature graphics) you can display on your computer or print, KTabS files you can play on your computer, and MP3s, all lumped together in a ZIP file.Purchase Book/Download
African Songs for the Mbira Nyunga Nyunga (aka the 15-Note Karimba in F) is a 78 page PDF eBook download that has tablature and live links to sound files for 30 different traditional African karimba songs (and other musical examples). Live links to MP3 files make this easy to use from computer, tablet, or phone. Purchase Book/Download
You can learn how to play this mysterious, magical song on your own karimba! Download the tablature in PDF and KTabS format for “Yekermo Sew”, by Mulatu Astatke (the father of Ethiopian jazz), arranged for the Gm or Am karimba.Purchase Book/Download
The G minor tuning of the karimba is mysterious and enchanting, and is one of my personal favorites. This download includes tablature in PDF and KTabS format for three original pieces I wrote for the G minor tuned karimba – and includes 11 pages of tablature, with MP3s of KTabS playing the music.Purchase Book/Download
Best-selling guide to playing the SaReGaMa Lotus Karimba: 58 pages, includes tablature for 76 musical exercises, with MP3s of each available for download. Dozens of tips for how to progress on the Lotus, plus five alternative tunings.Purchase Book/Download
PDF download of book: best-selling guide to playing the SaReGaMa Lotus Karimba: 58 pages, includes tablature for 76 musical exercises, with MP3s of each available for download. Dozens of tips for playing Lotus.Purchase Book/Download
This download contains the complete SaReGaMa Lotus Solo in two handed staff notation, in Kalimba Tablature, and as a MIDI file – everything you need to learn to play this wonderful piece of music.Purchase Book/Download
Download the PDF for the book Playing the Freygish-tuned Karimba. The PDF includes a URL from which you can download MP3 files for each of the 54 songs. Two of these songs can be heard on YouTube (search for Freygish karimba).Purchase Book/Download
While we would like to have a full-length download for the Air Karimba in the future, for now we just have this 12-page introduction to the Air Karimba Layout – so for now, it’s FREE!Purchase Book/Download
This tablature-based book is a great introduction to the 8-Note Kalimba for kids.The book contains a number of well-known children’s songs, but it also has popular songs such as Over the Rainbow, as well as classical, Latin, and African tunes. Good for kids 6 and up.Purchase Book/Download
Tablature for 32 Songs for the 8-Note Kalimba in F tuning, in PDF and KTabS formats. MP3s for 10 of the 32 songs are also included. African, classical, folk, peace, patriotic, Christmas, African-American Spirituals, reggae, ETC! This is the next step for people who want more than the other books have to offer.Purchase Book/Download
This tablature-based book covers: chords, scales, tunings, how to build up complex riffs from simple patterns. It includes exercises and patterns to help familiarize you with the note layout. Exercises show you different ways to approach a song: melody only, with harmony accompaniment, with rhythmic counterpoint, etc. If you want to master the instrument, start here.Purchase Book
The 66 Songs Download for the 12-Note Kalimba includes tablature in PDF, KTabS, and MP3 formats. African, Classical, Folk, Peace, Patriotic, Christmas, African American Spirituals, Reggae, etc! This monster download of songs for the 12-Note kalimba will keep you busy for months, or more likely years!Purchase Book
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Christmas Carols for Alto and Chromatic Alto Kalimbas
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