October 2, 2006
Play Several Kalimbas and Listen for the Right One

If you have the chance to do so, pick up several different kalimbas when you select one to buy. Listen to them, and see what they are saying. My customers in Tucson often come by my house and go through an entire case of kalimbas and play each one, looking for the one that is just right for them. If your music store has several kalimbas, play them all and listen for differences. Or, if you are ordering a kalimba from Kalimba Magic, let me know what you are looking for in a kalimba.

There is an Alto Kalimba on my bed right now. It was not one I chose. It has a rather cranky, stuffed up voice. I found it while preparing someone's kalimba order. I always play the kalimbas a bit before I send them out, to make sure they are in tune, maybe to impart a bit of the spirit that flows through my hands. Anyway, this one didn't sound right - I couldn't send out this cranky kalimba to someone who was expecting the voice of an angel. I decided I couldn't sell it, so I took it into my bedroom. It sat near my computer and helped me write kalimba books and tips of the day. But after a while, I realized that I liked its voice. It is unique, as far in the extreme as I've ever heard a Hugh Tracey kalimba be, and now it is mine, and I am its. I could probably improve it if I worked at it - but I don't want to. This kalimba chose me to work with. Who knows what it will teach me?

Listen to the Cranky Kalimba