April 4, 2007
Play Expressively

The kalimba only has a few notes - the ones I own have 8, 9, 11, 12, 15 and 17 notes. And at first glance, there is not a lot you can control about the kalimba note: how hard you play it is the main mode of expression.

But there is a realm of subtlety in kalimba playing that transcends the apparently simple user interface. At the very least, there is the highly expressive "wah" affect of the kalimbas with resonant chambers. The "wah" can fill a few kalimba notes with meaning and emotion and spirit. People can hear a voice in the kalimba.