Choosing a Kalimba for Beginners ①: Considerations for what a beginner should buy from the perspective of someone who owns over 90 kalimbas

What is a kalimba?

A kalimba is a traditional African musical instrument consisting of a wooden base with several metal plate-like keys attached, and it is basically played with the thumbs of both hands.

It is inexpensive, costing only a few thousand yen, and easy to buy. Since you can easily play melodies and accompaniment using only both thumbs I think the kalimba is an instrument that is easy for everyone from children to the elderly, and even those with no musical experience to pick up and play. While some instruments require a long time of practice just to produce a beautiful sound, anyone can easily produce a sound on a kalimba from the very beginning. It is an instrument that you can play to some extent in a few hours to a few days if the song is simple. That is why I think it is one of the easiest instruments to start with, even for those with no musical experience.
(It is said to be in the easiest rank for learning melody instruments.)

If you are reading this article and do not yet own a kalimba, please buy one and start playing!
(Recently, many music stores have them in stock, so it is a good idea to actually touch one before buying!)

※ In these kalimba-related articles, English note names are mainly used.
English note names use CDEFGABC for Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do.
(They are often used for chord names in instruments like the guitar.)
(By the way, Do-Re-Mi is actually the Italian note name, and the formal Japanese note names are Ha-Ni-Ho-He-To-I-Ro-Ha. They are often used when expressing keys like C major or D minor.)
English note notation is set so that middle C on the piano is C4 so that you can tell which octave it is in.
(An 88-key piano has a range of 7 octaves and 2 notes (3 semitones) from A0 to C1 to C4 to C8.)
The range of a general 17-key kalimba is C4 to E6, a 21-key is F3 to E6, and a 41-key chromatic kalimba includes all semitones and ranges from F3 to F6.
(The numbered musical notation often used in kalimba scores uses 12345671 for Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do. Notes lower than C4 have a dot below the number, and notes from C5 to B5 have one dot above the number. Notes from C6 to B6 have two dots above the number.)

Kalimba key arrangement and chords

The kalimba is not that difficult to play if you only play the melody. Moreover, chords can be played relatively easily with just the two thumbs of both hands.
The secret lies in the arrangement of the kalimba keys.

The notes on a kalimba are arranged so that adjacent keys are a third apart. (A third interval is the third note when counting a certain note as the first. For example, if you count from Do, the starting Do is the 1st, the next Re is the 2nd, and the next Mi is the 3rd.)
Therefore, if you slide your thumb across three adjacent keys, you can play a triad. (A triad is a chord consisting of three notes stacked at third intervals; for example, the C major triad consists of Do, its third Mi, and the third of Mi, Sol, stacked together, which is the basic form of a chord.)

For example, if you slide your thumb across three keys to the right from the center C, it becomes a C major triad (C4E4G4) (a C chord in guitar terms).
If you play three keys to the left starting from the D key to the left of the center C key, it becomes a Dm (D minor) chord (D4F4A4).
Similarly, from the E key to the right is an Em chord (E4G4B4).
From F to the left is an F chord (F4A4C5).
From G to the right is a G chord (G4B4D5).
From A to the left is an Am chord (A4C5E5).
From B to the right is a Bm-5 chord (B4D5F5).
And from the high C to the left, it returns to the C chord (C5E5G5).

Furthermore, if you play four adjacent keys, it becomes a 7th chord, and if you play five keys, it becomes a 9th chord.
This is how you add accompaniment chords.
If you put the lowest note of the chord at the beginning of the beat of the measure to make it a bass note, and add sliding chords on some beat of the melody, or add broken chords (arpeggios) by playing the chord notes separately on the empty beats of the melody (where the melody note is long, etc.), it will sound like accompaniment.
If you only do that, you will get bored, so you can add a counter-melody, or you can incorporate part of the accompaniment from the original song.
This way, if you know the melody and the chord names, you can play with accompaniment.

※ Also, when practicing the kalimba, do not replace notes with Do-Re-Mi every time. Forget Do-Re-Mi, read the staff as CDE..., and learn directly that this key is CDE...
Alternatively, in the case of the kalimba, you can learn by numbered musical notation.
However, it is easier to understand chords if you learn them as CDE...
I think it is fine to use whichever is easier to remember, English note names or numbered note names. Therefore, please forget Do-Re-Mi. (I learn by English note names for other instruments as well. The most important thing is that it doesn't matter which note name system you use, but if you are using a staff, it is more important to be able to instantly know with your hand's intuition where that note is on the keys.)

Types and specifications of kalimbas

As basic knowledge you should know before buying such a kalimba, let's check what kinds of types and specifications there are for kalimbas!

I have classified the various specifications of kalimbas below.
(The ★ mark is a specification especially recommended for your first one)

● Number of keys

・17 keys ★

The most common number of keys, and there are an overwhelming number of types on the market.
A range of 2 octaves and 2 notes (C major from C4 to E6).
(These are only the white keys on a piano; there are no keys for notes with # or ♭, which correspond to the black keys.)
(Be careful, as some models are in B major, which is a semitone lower!)
Most songs can be played with accompaniment.
Many music score collections are also published.
The weight varies from the mid-200g range to the 500g range.
Prices range from very cheap to very expensive. From the 1,000 yen range to over 30,000 yen.
I recommend models in the 3,000 to 5,000 yen range.
Let's start with this for your first one!

・21 keys

A range of just under 3 octaves (F3 to E6).
A 17-key model with 4 additional lower notes.
Expands the range of accompaniment.
Also suitable for kalimba ensembles.
Most models weigh between 400g and 500g.
Almost no music books have been published for these.
Slightly more expensive than 17-key models.
The center key is not 'Do' (C), so it is not suitable for beginners.
(Alternatively, if you tune all B notes to B♭, you can set it to F major, making the center F3 your 'Do'.)

・24 keys to 42 keys (Chromatic scale)

The keys are arranged in 2 or 3 rows.
A range of 2 to 3 octaves including semitones (various ranges such as F3 to F6 or C4 to F6). (Includes keys for notes with # or ♭, corresponding to the black keys on a piano.)
The most common is the 34-key model.
Many models have one row arranged the same as a 17-key kalimba.
Capable of playing any song, including chromatic scales.
Many models are heavy, weighing between 500g and 600g.
Not many music books have been published yet.
Suitable for those with musical instrument experience. (Some models have a piano-like layout, but I do not recommend them.)
Expensive, ranging from 10,000 to 13,000 yen.
If there are chromatic scales in the songs you want to play, maybe it's okay to buy one as your first instrument?

・10 keys

A range of 1 octave and 2 notes (C4 to E5 or C5 to E6).
Can play simple melodies and chords.
Small and easy to carry.
Most models are lightweight, weighing between 100g and 200g.
Not many music books have been published. (There are a few in overseas paperbacks. There are also domestic music books by Suzuran Komichi.)
I recommend models in the mid-1,000 to 2,000 yen range.
If it's a famous manufacturer, it's mostly tuned, so maybe it's okay for a beginner to buy as a second instrument or later?
Personally, if you are going to buy an 8-key model, I definitely recommend a 10-key model instead.

・8 keys

A range of 1 octave (C4 to C5 or C5 to C6).
Be careful, as some 8-note kalimbas have special scales (pentatonic scales).
Can play simple melodies and a few chords.
Easy to learn because there are few notes.
Slightly larger solid or box-type 8-key models (C4 to C5) are easy to play. Most weigh under 200g.
Mini 8-key models (C5 to C6) are small enough to fit in a pocket, making them super easy to carry.
Mini 8-key models can weigh under 60g.
Recently, there are mini 8-key kalimbas available in 400-yen capsule toy machines, making them easy to purchase.
However, they are too small to play easily, have almost no resonance, and the volume is very low. I don't really recommend them.
Several music books have been published for 8-key models.
For regular 8-key models, I recommend those in the mid-1,000 to mid-2,000 yen range.
(Mini 8-key models are quite cheap, ranging from 400-yen capsule toys to around 2,000 yen on Amazon.)
Many are not tuned, and some do not come with a tuning hammer, so they are not for beginners.

・Other key counts
There are also kalimbas with 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15 keys, etc., but they are not common.
In addition, there are large piano-layout kalimbas played on a desk, and bass kalimbas with huge keys. As far as I know, the largest number of keys for a commercial product is a stationary 72-key model that costs about 100,000 yen. (There are also 144-key models for two people to play facing each other.)

● Body Shape

・Solid type (Celeste) ★

A model with a single-board body type.
The tone and weight vary depending on the wood used.
The sound sustains easily even in the high register.
The sound quality is often high.
The volume is lower than the box type, so it is less likely to bother neighbors.
The weight is slightly heavier than the box type, in the 300g to 500g range.
Thinner boards are lighter, but thicker boards have better resonance.
I recommend this as your first instrument!!

・Box type (Treble) ☆

A model where the body is box-shaped, hollow inside, and has a hole called a sound hole on the front or side.
Produces a large volume. Maybe good when you want others to listen?
The hole is not limited to a round shape; there are various shapes such as square, bird, cat, reindeer, deer, and flower shapes.

Often features holes on the back or sides called tremolo holes, which are used to create a reverberation effect. (Covering or uncovering the holes with your fingers creates a vibrato effect.)

Many models are relatively lightweight.
The sound quality is soft and rounded.
The mid-to-low range resonates well.
Generally, it has the drawback of being difficult to produce high notes and having less sustain in the high range.

・Acrylic type

Instead of a solid wood body, it uses an acrylic plate.
Because it is acrylic, it is easy to process and comes in various shapes.
It weighs over 500g, making it even heavier than solid wood types.
The sound has less sustain and lower volume than solid wood types.
Many individual units struggle to produce high notes.
Personally, I do not highly recommend it.

● Material of the bridge section

・Metal bridge　★

Models that use a metal bridge have a metallic, music-box-like sound quality with significant sustain. The volume is relatively high, and notes sustain well even in the high range.
It also has the weakness that the sustain is too long, which can make the sound muddy in fast songs.
Adopted by all SEEDS models, all MAGADI models, a very small number of models from other brands, and many chromatic kalimbas.
This is a timbre I personally like.

・Bridge made of metal rods, metal key retainer, and a wooden base or sleeper　☆

The most common kalimba structure.
It tends to produce a rounded, soft sound.
Sustain is often somewhat limited.
Many models do not have good sustain for high notes.
Many models are of this type.

● Body material and weight

The timbre also changes depending on the wood used for the body.
Common woods used for kalimbas include mahogany, okoume, sapele, rosewood, walnut, maple, pine, camphor, and acacia koa.
The weight varies depending on the density of the wood. Denser wood is heavier, resonates better, and has higher volume.
Rosewood, in particular, is often heavy.
Conversely, kalimbas using okoume are often lightweight.
For 17-key solid types, models weighing 280-350g are relatively light and easy to use. (Some models weigh over 500g.)
17-key hollow box types are generally lighter, ranging from 250-320g, because the inside is hollow. (Some box types weigh nearly 400g.)
For multi-tier kalimbas like chromatic kalimbas, 400g is on the lighter side. Some heavy models weigh nearly 700g.
Regardless of the type, models weighing over 500g can tire your arms, making them difficult for long performances or practice sessions.

● Key stiffness

Softer keys are easier to play. Higher-priced models often use softer keys. (e.g., Hugh Tracey, HOKEMA, MAGADI, etc.)

● Key layout

・Kalimba Layout (Hugh Tracey Layout)　★

A layout where the lowest note is in the center, and the scale alternates left and right from there.
It is characterized by the ability to easily play chords and glissandos with just the thumbs.
Beginners should start with a kalimba using this layout.

・Piano Layout

A layout that matches the white keys of a piano, where notes get higher to the right and lower to the left. (Some chromatic kalimbas have a layout identical to a piano including black keys.)
For those with piano experience, the note sequence is easy to understand.
Chords of three or more notes cannot be played with just the thumbs.
It is technically difficult to play melody and accompaniment simultaneously.
Generally, I do not recommend this.

● Key Shape

・Curved Type　★

Easy to slide for chords.
Easy to accidentally hit adjacent notes.
Less likely to wear down fingernails.
Personally, I find these the easiest to play.

・Flat Type (Straight Type)

Keys that are completely flat or have only a slight downward angle at the tip.
Keys can be pressed firmly.
Chord slides are difficult to perform.
Fingernails get worn down.

・Thin/Mini Key Type

Keys are narrower than usual.
Many models have narrow spacing between keys, making it easy to hit the wrong note.
The sound does not resonate much.
Common in compact kalimbas.

● Key Engravings

・Scale Numbers Only

Engravings of 1, 2, 3... up to 7 only.
The number of dots above the numbers indicates the octave height.
(For low-note keys on 21-key models, there are dots below the numbers.)

・Scale Numbers and English Note Names　★

In addition to the numbers above, English scale names from C, D, E... up to B are engraved.

・No Engravings

Since there are no engravings, they are good for practicing touch typing, but beginners should apply scale stickers.
Scale stickers are sometimes included with the instrument.
Stickers with katakana scales like Do, Re, Mi... to Si are also sold separately.

◎ Summary

There are various types of kalimbas as mentioned above, but the one I recommend for beginners is the 17-key solid (single-board) type kalimba. If possible, it is best to choose a model that is properly tuned to C major from the start!

Characteristics of each kalimba brand

The brand categorization below is based on the author's own judgment.
Please note that the impressions of each brand are merely the author's personal opinions.

● High-quality Chinese brands (my recommendations)

SEEDS
LING TING
HLURU
Chill Angels
Sumiyaka

For those who want to start with a good instrument, I strongly recommend any model from these brands.
All are famous for their high-quality sound.
The quality of the keys, bridges, and bodies is high.
However, the manuals are often in Chinese/English. (Sometimes a simple Japanese manual created by the retailer is included.)
Prices are standard to slightly high.
SEEDS and Chill Angels have many multi-stage models, and with their metal bridges, they have a more music-box-like sound, with high notes that resonate well and long sustain.
LING TING has many fans due to its thick body and unique key material that produces a sparkling tone.
HLURU has keys with a large curvature at the tips, making them easy to play, and the sound quality is excellent. The mid-to-low range has a deep sound. Accessories are also plentiful.
Sumiyaka has strict quality control, so there are few defective products. Some models use keys made by LING TING. A Japanese manual and songbook are included.

● Japanese brands for beginners

ONETONE
HOSTARO

These are brands with companies in Japan, and manuals are written in Japanese. Katakana scale stickers are also included. It is especially reassuring to purchase from a musical instrument store, as they handle repairs and initial defects.
Manufacturing for all of these seems to be in China.
ONETONE is also sold at Shimamura Music stores, so you can try them out. However, the price is a little higher.
HOSTARO has many models with good sound quality and high cost-performance, making them a great bargain and recommended for beginners.

● Chinese brands for beginners

MIYINGE
ammoon
GECKO

Although they are Chinese brands, they are relatively inexpensive and recommended for beginners.
MIYINGE is a brand of the company Miyange, which is an OEM source for inexpensive kalimbas. They are available from the 1,000 yen range and sell many types of kalimbas. They are inexpensive and recommended as your first trial instrument.
ammoon has many inexpensive and lightweight models, making them popular with women. The manual is in English only. Recently, some models may come without a logo.
GECKO is a Chinese brand that has been selling kalimbas to Japan for a long time. They have many excellent models for 10-key and 8-key kalimbas. Accessories are also abundant. Their 17-key solid models are high quality, but some 17-key box models have high notes that do not ring. The manual is a Japanese version written by April Yang.

● Acrylic board type

Kimi
AKLOT

This is a standard brand for acrylic kalimbas.
There are many kalimbas with cute shapes.
They are heavy, and I feel many models have high notes that do not ring well.

● Built-in pickup

DUAL
MOOZICA

These models have built-in pickups (microphones), which are convenient for connecting to an amplifier or recording. Recently, the lineup of models with built-in pickups has decreased, making them a valuable find. Models without pickups are also sold.
DUAL is famous for being a model used by many well-known kalimba players. The price is also high.
MOOZICA has models with built-in preamps or effects, as well as models with just built-in pickups. As a brand with built-in pickup models, they are easy to obtain.

● Luxury Brands

HUGH TRACEY
HOKEMA
MAGADI

All of these are high-sound-quality models, but because they are expensive, they are difficult to recommend to beginners.
HUGH TRACEY is a South African brand that is the originator of the modern kalimba. The current 17-key arrangement of kalimbas started with this brand. However, since all of their products have recently been discontinued, they will likely become difficult to obtain in the future.
HOKEMA is a German manufacturer, and their keys are soft and easy to play. However, they are very expensive.
MAGADI is a Chinese manufacturer, and while they are relatively affordable among these, they are still somewhat pricey. They use thick wood, have a wide shape, and use soft German-made keys, resulting in high sound quality. Distribution in Japan is low, making them somewhat difficult to obtain. (However, the 17-key M17 can still be bought on Amazon.)

● Musical Instrument Brands

MEINL
MAHALO
Donner
Suzuki Musical Instrument Manufacturing

These are brands that sell various musical instruments.
All of these brands are easy to find at musical instrument stores.
MEINL is a German manufacturer famous for percussion instruments such as drums and cajons. Their kalimbas are in the class of luxury brands, and the price is high.
MAHALO is a brand famous for ukuleles, but it is actually a brand name of the Japanese musical instrument sales company Kikutani Music. Their kalimbas have a box-type, tropical design. They are manufactured in China.
Donner is a comprehensive musical instrument manufacturer from China, famous for guitar effects pedals. They sell inexpensive kalimbas for around 2,000 to 3,000 yen.
As the name suggests, Suzuki Musical Instrument Manufacturing is a domestic manufacturer famous for harmonicas, recorders, percussion instruments, and traditional Japanese instruments, and they also handle many instruments for schools. They sell several 8-key kalimba models. The instruction manual is, of course, in Japanese. Katakana note stickers are also included.

About Accessories

★ indicates essential items. ☆ indicates items that are convenient to have.

・Case ★

Almost every model comes with one. Some models, such as those from MAGADI or Hugh Tracey, may not include one.
Sometimes they come with cloth or hemp cases, but a hard case is preferable if possible.
(Hard cases alone are sold on Amazon, etc., for 1,000 to 2,000 yen.)

・Tuning Hammer ★

Most models come with one, but some 8-key models or models from MAGADI or Hugh Tracey may not include one; however, these can also be purchased individually on Amazon, etc.
Those with rubber-wrapped handles or wooden handles are easy to use.

・Silicone Cloth ☆

Even if you don't have one, you can substitute it with a glasses cleaning cloth from a 100-yen shop.
Models with a gloss finish show fingerprints, so it is better to have one.

・Note Name Stickers ☆

Many models come with English musical scale stickers. Brands from Japanese companies often include Katakana musical scale stickers as well. The red and green stickers are markers; it is a good idea to place them on every third key starting from the center key.
If the keys have note names or numbers engraved on them, you don't need them. If there are no engravings or if they are hard to see, you should apply the included stickers. For foreign-made kalimbas, you can also purchase Katakana musical scale stickers separately. Some people choose not to apply them at all to master playing by touch.

・Instruction manual & songbook ☆

There are often no Japanese instruction manuals, especially with foreign-made ones.
Since songbooks use numbers or note name notation, it doesn't matter if they are in a foreign language (Chinese or English).
Kalimbas from Japanese brands, as well as GECKO and Sumiyaka models, come with Japanese instruction manuals.
It might be better to buy a separate introductory book or songbook for the kalimba as they are easier to understand.

・Thumb picks

They are completely unnecessary. It is difficult to play while wearing them.
Beginners' fingers will hurt at first, so you might want to wear them, but if you do, your skin will never thicken.
There are no famous kalimba players who use them at all.

・Tremolo chain

Attaching this gives it an African-style sound, but it is almost never used for standard songs. It can be purchased separately.

・Stick-on pickup

Some manufacturers like LING TING and GECKO include them, but you don't need one.
If you need one, it is better to buy a better pickup microphone.

I stick a round, flat magnet on and use it by attaching it to the bridge part of the kalimba.

・Tassel

Some manufacturers like LING TING and GECKO include them, but they are just decorations and are completely unnecessary.