August 21, 2010
Kalimba Magic NEWS
Another New Catania Kalimba
The 6-Note Pentatonic Kalimba
The Catania 6-Note Pentatonic Kalimba
This is one of the easiest kalimbas to play music on. You will note that this kalimba can't play a lot of different songs, which stands to reason, since there are only 6 notes. However, anything you do on this simple kalimba will sound beautiful. Just alternate your thumbs left and right. Or pick two notes on the right side and play them, then play two notes on the left side, and go R-R-L-L on and on. You can invent hundreds of beautiful patterns on this kalimba, and everything you do should come simply.
This kalimba was called into existence by Elly of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. Elly's mission was to introduce the kalimba to the kids who hung around her garden in the summer, something that was "off the grid."
Catania 6-Note Pentatonic Kalimba
Elly wanted a kalimba that was inexpensive, but that would just seem to play itself so everyone could make music on it. Steve Catania found some scraps of wood and turned them into kalimbas that are narrower than the 8-Note kalimbas, so smaller hands can comfortably hold them. The 6 notes give a single octave of the C major pentatonic scale, so this will go great with other instruments commonly used in introductory music that are in C.
By the way, if you are in Nanaimo or Vancouver Island, give Elly a ring. She is looking to do kalimba wokshops and kalimba teaching, and is a Hugh Tracey and Catania Kalimba retailer. You can contact her by phone at (250) 323-2154 or (250) 619-5890, or by email at ellystudio("at")shaw.ca.
If you would like to order one or more 6-Note Catanias, they are available for $28 in the Kalimba Magic Shop.
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