December 21, 2006
The Best Pentatonic Kalimba

More about the pentatonic kalimba/pentatonic scale.

There are basically four flavors of Pentatonic kalimbas: the Celeste (i.e., board mounted) Pentatonic is quiet and economical and easier for folks with smaller hands. The Box Pentatonic can be a bit louder and costs more. The Celeste Pentatonic with pickup can scream through your effects processor and amplifier. The Box Pentatonic with pickup is sort of the top of the heap, doing everything except playing really quietly.

By the way, I've heard many people say that the Sansula is tuned to a pentatonic scale, but that is not true! The Sansula is tuned to the A minor chord with a 2nd and flat 6th thrown in as "interest notes." The minor pentatonic scale would not have the 2nd or 6th, but it would have a 4th and a flat 7th, which you do not find in a conventional Sansula tuning. Of course, if you wanted you could always retune to a pentatonic scale!

 

Visit the Kalimba Shop

;