Collection: Buy Kalimba 2024 - Buy Kalimbas cheap online

The Kalimba is a simple-looking instrument that is easy to play but a little more difficult to master. A good Kalimba will help you a lot when learning to play the Kalimba. Find out everything you need to consider when buying a Kalimba , how you can buy Kalimbas cheaply online and what Kalimbas actually are if you don't already know.

The Kalimba / Sonolimba at Sonodrum is handmade from high-quality coral wood, which is characterized by an accurate, loud tone and an appealing echo. The increased density of the coral wood gives the Sonodrum Kalimba a slightly deeper sound. You can only buy it online.

The relaxing effect of the sounds produced by a Kalimba musical instrument is what has made it so popular and extremely popular in recent years. Many people want to buy a Kalimba but don't really know how. Due to its calming melody, the Kalimba is considered a wonderful instrument for meditation, relaxation and yoga . The Kalimba also sounds perfect when played with a large lotus drum or tongue drum .

Find out everything about the instrument and the new hobby that keeps many people in check and wrapped in music. The topic is Buy Kalimba 2024 - Buy Kalimbas cheaply online and at the end you will have received the information you have been looking for for a long time.

What is a Kalimba - Thumb Piano Kalimba

There is an instrument that is little known to the general public, that is easy to play and that produces a sound that is both magical and gentle. It is the Kalimba - an instrument that everyone will love!

The African thumb piano

The Kalimba is an instrument from sub-Saharan Africa. Like the tongue drum , the xylophone, the glockenspiel and the vibraphone, this Kalimba instrument belongs to the family of idiophones (instruments whose sound is produced by the material of the respective instrument).

Originally, the kalimba was used in traditional music and had bamboo slats, which were later replaced by metal slats.

Like many African instruments, the kalimba can have several names: Mbira, Sanza, thumb piano, finger piano , etc. The body of this instrument can be a coconut, a wooden board or a wooden resonance box. The Sonodrum kalimbas are made from a handy natural block of wood, onto which the individual sound bodies made of ore metal have been integrated by hand to form a piano. The arrangement of the individual sound bars creates a beautiful melody when playing the kalimba / sonolimba . The sounds are produced by the vibration of the reeds, each of which is cut to a specific length and thus produces a specific note that can count from 5 to over 20, depending on the model. Using this instrument is very simple: you hold the body in your hand and make the slats vibrate with your thumbs.

Nowadays, this instrument can be found in very different areas. It is used not only in “normal music”, but also in music therapy and early musical education. Due to its special sound, it is also often used in popular music.

Buy the Kalimba online now

The soft, warm tones of the Kalimba will make you fall in love with its timbre. The Kalimba is played all over the world because learning the Kalimba is a natural process. It can be played almost by itself. You don't need any previous knowledge or musical training to play the Kalimba. This makes it easy to play even for absolute beginners.

The best price only online!

Our Kalimba, which is only available online, is available in 2 different versions, i.e. 2 different prices, one with 17 and one with 21 keys. The keys are rounded and made of ore steel, for a pleasant feel. The rounded edges in the wood ensure that the Kalimba is easy to hold in your hands. The price -performance ratio at Sonodrum is still undisputed - as already mentioned, the topic is: Buy Kalimba 2024 - Buy Kalimbas cheaply online and you will find the best and cheapest Kalimbas online in Germany at Sonodrum !

Kalimba test - how good is our Kalimba

It is enough to take a look at the instrument reviews , because that says everything about the quality and the Kalimba test , which Sonodrum definitely passes in Germany. For example, Cy W. writes: "The Kalimba arrived quicker than I expected. The workmanship is so beautiful and it comes with a hard case. I love it and will definitely recommend it. ❤️". Or Julia E.: "A great instrument. I didn't expect it at all. I already have a Sonodrum tongue drum, but the Sonodrum is also really great and very easy to play". These are versions with 17 or 21 keys.

Since you will be playing with a kalimba that is handmade from high-quality coral wood, it will last you a long time!

Buying a Kalimba - what should you pay attention to?

A kalimba is probably not the instrument you think of first, but the instrument is one with a certain tradition. It is difficult to say when the first kalimba appeared. And it seems to have been a constantly evolving instrument. It may have first appeared in West Africa around 3,000 years ago. Somewhere near present-day Cameroon. Back then, it was made from plant material such as bamboo.

For many people, this is a new instrument, so most will not necessarily know what to look for when purchasing this instrument, so there are a few simple things to consider:

• The wood
• The button's
• The mood

Product tips Buy Kalimba

If you are planning to buy this African instrument, you may have trouble choosing a kalimba, especially because you know nothing about this musical instrument. You just saw someone play the kalimba and do it brilliantly, you liked the music and you decided to buy one. Choosing the wood used to make the body of this musical instrument is one of the most difficult tasks. Don't worry, because the following product tips will help you find the best one for you.

The wood

This can have an impact. Mahogany is a tonewood that most will be familiar with. It is often used for guitars and has a particular resonance and warmth. Some of this is transferred to the kalimba, but some of it is not. But the mahogany used for guitars relies to some extent on the body to create its resonance. There is no body on a kalimba. Just a solid piece of wood. Coral wood is often used as a substitute for mahogany in the kalimbas. Our Sonodrum kalimba is made of coral wood and gets very good ratings in the kalimba test .

Koa is also an alternative and in some people's eyes a better option. There are also kalimbas made of bamboo or even plywood. These are not as good in terms of sound and are also not as durable and resistant. In our opinion, it is better to stick to mahogany or coral wood.

The button's

They are often ignored as unimportant, but are the most important element responsible for the kalimba notes . Most keys are made of metal, but there is some confusion regarding the type. Ore means a raw metal that is not bonded to another metal to form an alloy.

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, so it is not a raw metal in itself. Every name sounds different. Even steel sounds different depending on the composition of the alloy. It is best to choose a metal that is flexible but still durable. The Sonodrum keys are rounded and made of ore steel for a pleasant cognition.

The mood

Most kalimbas are tuned to C, although this can be changed. This beginner kalimba is popular. Just because it is tuned to C does not mean it can play a C scale as kalimba notes . This is important if you want to play western music on it. If you want to play popular music, you will need an instrument that is tuned diatonically. Most music uses the chromatic scale, which uses the white and black keys. In C, that is just the white keys on a piano. The kalimba notes played change at a key change and then use black keys. The kalimba does not have the equivalent of the black keys on a piano.

So you can't play Kalimba songs on it, but you can play lots of them. Usually it comes with a tuning hammer, and the individual tines/keys are tuned by pulling them out or pushing them back in. There are even apps for smartphones from which you can download a tuner for the Kalimba .

These are the product tips we can give you today if you want to buy a Kalimba . Listen to the different Kalimba songs and choose one that you like. It can be that easy to buy the best Kalimba .

Buy the most popular Kalimba in Germany now

Don't wait, now is the right time to buy a Kalimba online, because the prices are very attractive for the German market. Give a thumb piano and Kalimba music book as a Christmas present, treat yourself or spoil the kids with a Kalimba for children .

The choice of a kalimba depends on your needs (traditional music, contemporary music, early musical education or music therapy). To choose the right kalimba, you should listen to videos on YouTube or our video here . Even a beginner will notice the difference between the crystalline and the rough sound. Our Sonodrum Kalimba has a sound that will definitely please and envelop you. The kalimba plays in the international standard C major. The melodies of the keys correspond to the following kalimba notes: D, B, G, E, C, A, F, D, C, E, G, B, D, F, A, C, E

Kalimba instruments in different materials and colors

As a rule of thumb, you can expect more expensive kalimbas to be made of higher quality materials and therefore better keys. However, this is not a guarantee, so be careful when buying from sites like eBay or from unspecified brands that cannot be found anywhere else. Some kalimbas also have lacquered keys. For us, this is purely aesthetic and can be detrimental to the clarity of the pitch when playing.

Aside from that, there are often stickers that come with the kalimba to mark the notes, similar to how you can put stickers on piano keys. They make little difference in the sound that can be perceived by an untrained ear, but if you can learn without them, you should give it a try. The Sonodrum kalimbas come with the stickers. This makes playing the kalimba easier at first. You can remove them later.

Kalimbas made of pure wood have keys that are closer together and the sound is not as full. They are ideal for players who want to "hit" several keys at once and build chords .

Hollow body kalimbas often have a sound hole that increases the volume of the instrument. The distance between the keys and tines is usually greater than their pure wood counterparts. These are ideal for players who want to play songs that require a lot of individual plucking. With the keys spaced far apart, you have more room to be more precise when playing, resulting in fewer mistakes.

You may have noticed that some kalimbas are made of acrylic while others are made of wood. But which is better, acrylic or wooden kalimbas?

Many kalimba players like to use an acrylic kalimba and a wooden kalimba. With each kalimba, you can experiment more with the sounds and explore more versatility. If you like the subtle sound differences between the two kalimbas, you can find out which songs sound best on which kalimba.

Remember that you should only consider two kalimbas if you already have one that you really want to play. If you are still looking for your first kalimba, you should only get one because you will not know if you want to keep playing until you try it out.

Acrylic Kalimba

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of the acrylic kalimba?

Advantages of Acrylic Kalimba

• They are usually available in a wider variety of designs and looks.
• A warmer tone may suit certain songs and styles better.
• The quieter sound level may be more suitable for practicing without disturbing others.

Disadvantages of Acrylic Kalimba

• They are usually heavier and can be a burden when playing for longer periods of time.
• They are more susceptible to scratches and damage.
• The quieter volume can also be a disadvantage in certain situations.

Wooden Kalimba

And what about the advantages and disadvantages of the wooden kalimba ?

Advantages of wooden kalimba

• They reproduce the traditional sound.
• More advanced techniques, such as vibrato, are possible.
• Their lighter weight makes them easier to hold and play for longer periods of time.

Disadvantages of wooden kalimba

• The sound can be a bit louder, which may not be desirable for quieter songs.
• Limited variety in terms of style and appearance.
• Volume can be a problem if others want to play quietly.

What is the best metal for kalimba?

Uncoated steel ore offers the best resonance for a kalimba with fewer material additions, such as colored coatings, for aesthetic purposes. Also, the sound is clearer and they look more authentic when associated with their African heritage and predecessors.

It is a simple fact that you will find far more kalimbas that come with coated keys to make them look more attractive. There is nothing wrong with coated tines on a thumb piano and they play very well if they are of good quality, but cheaper coated materials are often not well finished and can make the hum of the kalimba worse if the surface in the contact area with the bridge is not good. For this reason, at Sonodrum we only use uncoated steel ore keys that are rounded!

How to play a kalimba? Is it difficult to learn a kalimba

The Kalimba is one of the four instruments in the world that are easy to learn. It is also known by different names such as thumb piano, mbira, etc. Apart from what you see in the front view, it also has two vibrato holes on the back. Users just need to cover the vibrato holes with their fingers and hit the keys with their thumbs to produce music. By covering and uncovering the vibrato holes when playing, the melody becomes much more pleasing. It is the ideal instrument to start playing music - the Kalimba for beginners in music is the best choice because learning Kalimba is easy and you will get a feel for music. It is also especially suitable for children.

Learn to play Kalimba for beginners

It is possible to buy wood-based or acrylic-based kalimbas . The advice here is to go with wood for your first kalimba. Plastic or acrylic kalimbas can be very good, but there is hardly anything that can match the resonance and overall "feel" of a wooden instrument.

The standard kalimba has about 17 keys, and you only need your thumbs to play it, so it's really easy to get the hang of it. If you're just experimenting with it or want to write your own kalimba songs , it'll take you about an hour to play a good melody because the kalimba musical instrument is so easy to play. And if you want to learn one of your favorite songs, you can find tons of different, easy-to-follow tutorials on YouTube.

You can buy great kalimbas with or without sound holes, so the choice comes down to personal preference and appearance. In any case, learning the kalimba is easy and suitable for beginners.

Kalimba with sound hole - buy the Sonodrum Kalimba

The advantage of a kalimba with a sound hole is that the space is used to modulate the sound. With additional holes on the back of the kalimba, which can be reached with the ring or little finger, the volume coming out of the hole on the front can be increased or decreased. This also allows you to influence the sound of the kalimba note by note.

The sound is naturally amplified in the chamber created by the box design, and with practice you can create vibratos by quickly moving your fingers back and forth near the rear sound holes.

There is nothing that even comes close to the sound of a kalimba. In the lamellophone class of percussion instruments, which includes things like tongue drums, there are very few instruments that sound like this, even within the same class.

Long thumbnails are not essential for playing the thumb piano , but they can be helpful when you are first learning and mastering the basic technique.

If you have long thumbnails that allow you to pluck the notes with the nail instead of the end of your thumb, this is much easier.

Over time, as your technique improves, you can return to shorter thumbnails. However, many experienced kalimba players keep their thumbnails not too long so that they can play with either the nail or the end of the thumb for a softer sound.

Finger piano against stress

To reduce stress or alleviate depression, creating music can be an important therapeutic tool. The kalimba produces a light and cheerful sound that can positively affect mood. The instrument is as simple or complex as the player wants, giving them control over the amount of time and dedication to music as desired.

The Kalimba has a firm place in the field of music therapy today and offers people with

•       Brain injuries,
•       physical disabilities,
•       hearing loss,
•       Autism spectrum disorders and
•       depressions

remarkable health and well-being benefits. Music therapists use the kalimba in different ways, depending on the patient's needs and comfort.

Producing kalimba notes and sounds for infants can be calming and soothing, helping new mothers feel less overwhelmed while creating a lasting bond between mother and child. The kalimba can also be used before birth to stimulate the fetus by playing it against the mother's belly so that the sounds and vibrations reach the baby.

Kalimba therapy

Physical disabilities, such as gait problems or mobility problems caused by arthritis, can be treated with the sound of the kalimba, as it is designed to produce music with the slightest movements of the thumbs . In addition to the benefits of hearing the sound or playing the kalimba, the vibrations produced by the kalimba can relax various muscle groups. Additionally, these same vibrations give people with hearing impairments the ability to experience music through the sense of touch.

Sonodrum Kalimba soothing sounds - easy to play

You might think that an instrument of this price wouldn't sound particularly good, but the Sonodrum Kalimba is a really good instrument . It produces beautiful, calming notes and is therefore safe for children to play. It is not as annoying as a xylophone, for example, but it is easy to start playing music. That is why it is often used in music therapy or during a yoga session.

The peaceful sounds of a kalimba are the perfect way to calm your mind when you need some relaxation. It might not solve all your problems, but taking a break from work and pulling out a kalimba for just 20 minutes is a really good way to calm yourself down and take your mind off of whatever is bothering you.

The Sonodrum Kalimba will definitely not disappoint you with its soothing tones and relaxing Kalimba sounds .

Kalimba notes - are there Kalimba songs

Most modern kalimbas have 17 keys and are tuned to C major. Without getting too deep into music theory, this means that the kalimba can only play natural notes (C, D, E, F, G, A and B) in a diatonic scale.

If the song you want to learn only uses these notes, you should be able to play it on your kalimba without any problems . A perfect example of this is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star , which only uses the notes C, D, E, F, G, and A. All of these notes are accessible to the kalimba, so this song is easy to play without having to make any adjustments.

It is true that not every song can be played with a kalimba, but the vast majority can be played with minor adjustments. Tuning the kalimba to include the basses and sharps is a good option for many songs, but more complicated songs may be better suited to a chromatic kalimba that also has basses and sharps incorporated. An alternative method is to simply transpose the song to a new key. In some situations, this can remove the sharp note and replace it with a natural note, eliminating the need to retune the kalimba.

If you order a Sonodrum Kalimba, a music book with Kalimba songs is always included in the set, apart from the carrying bag, the cleaning cloth and the tuning hammer.

Learning Kalimba for children – is the instrument also suitable for children?

The kalimba can be a fantastic stepping stone into the world of music, and it can become a lifelong musical companion. Sonodrum offers an excellent collection of musical instruments that are also specifically designed for children to play in class or during their free time.

Kalimba musical instrument for children

They are great sounding, melodic instruments that are a pleasant way for children to start learning music. The steel keys, tuned to specific notes, provide a light, pleasant sound that can be played during leisure time or in the classroom. The high-quality coral wood body projects the notes played, providing a full and rich sound. These instruments are perfect for developing the fundamentals of rhythm and melody. Whether played alone or in a group, the performance and sound quality of Kalimba instruments make them the ideal choice for young musicians and their teachers.

Ultimately, the kalimba is the first love that you keep coming back to. There is something so simple, yet so beautiful and healing about it. Giving your child a kalimba could be one more thing that ends up on their bookshelf... or it could be a gateway to a new and amazing world of music that will accompany your child through good times and bad for all the years of their life. That's why you should buy the kalimba , especially as a gift for children in your family or friends.

Kalimba Accessories

There are 4 important Kalimba accessories if you want to buy a Kalimba . Especially with the Kalimba children's model, it is important to buy the appropriate bag so that the instrument can be easily stored.

Kalimba music book

The Kalimba music book is part of the standard equipment when you order a Kalimba from Sonodrum. All packages contain the following if you want to buy the Kalimba :

•       The Kalimba made of coral wood – with 17 or 21 keys
•       a protective bag
•       the labels for the keys
•       an instruction manual and the music book/ Kalimba sheet music
•       a cleaning cloth
•       a hammer for adjustment

Kalimba tuning iron

You need the tuning iron to be able to retune the bars with the hammer. The tuning iron is an inexpensive accessory that you can easily order online.

Kalimba Bag

One of the biggest advantages of a kalimba for many people is its portability. Anyone who plays guitar, steel tongue drum , and handpan knows that sometimes it can be difficult to transport the instruments. While these are all portable instruments, they are not so small that you can just put them in your pocket.

You need a big backpack or a guitar case, and sometimes it's not practical to carry one on your back on public transport, and especially with a handpan you look like a ninja turtle on the subway. The portability of the kalimba is much better in that case. The bag that comes with Sonodrum and protects the kalimba can be quickly and easily stored in a carrying bag.

Kalimba textbook

The Kalimba textbook is particularly helpful for beginners. You should keep this in mind as a beginner and if you want to buy a Kalimba . It's best to get a textbook to go with it. The Sonodrum Kalimba package includes instructions that can serve as a textbook. However, many people prefer the self-taught method.

Buy Kalimba Conclusion

Playing Kalimba is fun , there's no doubt about that. But just buying a thumb piano isn't enough for some, and they need something more. Luckily, there are a whole range of accessories that you can try out as well, which are included in the package at Sonodrum once you decide to buy the Kalimba from us, which is a smart thing to do!

Trust your hearing and choose the sound that you like best or that you need (for music therapy, for example, you need a pure and precise sound).

There are enough models today so that you can find the one that suits you best and we think it is the Sonodrum Kalimba with 17 or 21 keys.

We look forward to helping you and finding the ideal model for you that meets your expectations and will accompany you for a long time. You will be buying a Kalimba that you can only get online, so immediately consider buying the Kalimba cheaply online from Sonodrum . The great thing is that many Kalimba accessories are included in the price and you can buy a high-quality Kalimba at a fair price.

FAQ: frequently asked questions about buying Kalimba

Here are some questions we are frequently asked. Maybe you still have a question after reading the article and you can find it here in the FAQ...