July 4, 2006
Exploring Two Note Harmonies

This exercise will work with any kalimba. Pick up your kalimba, and without playing it, pick out one note. Your mission today is to understand how each of the other notes fits with this one chosen note. Be systematic: start with the notes on the opposite side of the kalimba from your chosen note, and start with the lowest, longest note. Play that lowest note with your chosen note. Do they sound good together, or not so good? Are they beautiful together? Now, move to the next higher note and play it with your chosen note.

When two notes sound really great together, try to remember those two. When you have tried out all the notes on the side opposite your chosen note, go through the notes on the same side as your chosen note. You will have to cross over, and play with both thumbs on the same side of your kalimba (this is difficult to do while performing a song, but not so hard while exploring like this).

If you can, try to state a few rules about what sorts of note combinations sound good and what sorts of combinations sound less good.

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