June 28, 2006
Using Both Thumbs to Play Chords

This exercise is very similar to last week's advanced tip in that it uses the exact same chords. However, last week we played each chord by playing three adjacent notes. These three notes each made a triad, or three note chord. The lowest note is the root, then comes the 3rd of the chord, and finally the 5th of the chord was on top.

You will find that your thumbnail cannot actually play three adjacent notes simultaneously, but you can quickly and gracefully slide over the three notes in a glissando motion. You will have to practice a bit to learn how to stop after playing exactly three notes. Alternatively, you could play the three notes one after the other to make an arpeggio.

Tab for Chords: TREBLE on left and ALTO on right

This week, we add one note to each of the triads from last week. In each case, you'll find the new note on the side of the kalimba that is opposite to the triad.

For the Treble Kalimba chords shown on the left side of the diagram, the extra note is an octave below the 5th, which is the note at the top of each chord. In order to play this, you will find that your thumbs go back and forth just like the windshield wipers on a car. At first take it slowly. As you pick up spead, concentrate just on the triad, and let the other thumb fall wherever it may, but remember the windshield wiper idea.

For the Alto Kalimba chords on the right side of the diagram, the extra note is an octave above the root. The idea is the same as for the Treble, but the note is different. Of course, the Treble and Alto chords will totally sound beautiful together.

The windshield wiper motion is something I do in almost every song I play. You will find that once you get the feel for that motion, you don't actually need to think about what notes or chords you are playing: as long as you go back and forth that way, the music will sound pretty good.

Another way to look at it is that you are climbing two separate ladders, one low and one high. On the Alto, the triad is the lower ladder, and the single note on the opposite side is the upper ladder. Try playing all of the single notes in sequence, and you will see they just go up the scale. Now try to climb both ladders at the same time. Good luck!