Download a PDF of the 2017 Kalimba Magic Catalog
Browse the Soundfiles for the 2017 catalog
Page 3 - Karimbas and SaReGaMa Tunings
The African-tuned karimba is an important instrument in the evolution of African thumb pianos and is thought to be closely related to the "original mbira" from over 1000 years ago. As such it has an extensive repertoire of traditional songs and a variety of instructional resources. SaReGaMa karimbas are modifications of the African-tuned karimba, and the SaReGaMa Lotus, Air, and Freygish tunings are all explorations of the minor scale; all tend to play New Age music. Every instrument on this page comes with traditional African buzzers on the tines. Buzzers are easily removed so you can play with or without them. Let us know if you want us to ship your new instrument without buzzers.
Hugh Tracey African-Tuned Karimba
Hugh Tracey Box Karimba - 17 Notes in A
I Ching 13-Note Specialty Kalimba
SaReGaMa Lotus Karimba
SaReGaMa Box Lotus
SaReGaMa Freygish Karimba
SaReGaMa Air Karimba
Page 4 - Hugh Tracey Alto Kalimbas
The Hugh Tracey Alto Kalimba is a great platform.
Hugh Tracey Alto Kalimba
Alto-based Afroharp
Alto-based Afro Harp
Hugh Tracey Celeste Alto Kalimba
Alto-based 15-Note Karimba in F
Page 5 - Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimbas
The Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba,
Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba
Hugh Tracey Celeste Treble Kalimba
Hugh Tracey Bb Treble Kalimba
Alto-based D Treble
Page 6 - Chromatic Kalimbas
The concept behind the Hugh Tracey Chromatic Kalimbas is that the white notes on the piano are on the front of the kalimba and are played with the thumbs, while the black notes or flats are on the back side, and are played with the finger tips.
Hugh Tracey Chromatic Kalimba (Alto)
Hugh Tracey Celeste Chromatic Kalimba (Alto)
Celeste Chromatic, standard tuning
Hugh Tracey Treble Chromatic
Treble Chromatic, standard G tuning
Page 7 - Pentatonic Kalimbas
The pentatonic scale is a simplified scale that shifts the odds toward a successful musical experience. Hugh Tracey found that about 40% of African kalimbas had pentatonic scales such as these kalimba. Several different pentatonic scales are possible.
Hugh Tracey Box Pentatonic Kalimba
Box Pentatonic, standard G tuning
Box Pentatonic, G minor tuning
Box Pentatonic, F7 Bebey tuning
Box Pentatonic, G Ake Bono tuning
Hokema 9-Note A-minor Pentatonic
Hokema Box Pentatonic, standard Am tuning
Hugh Tracey Celeste Pentatonic
The instrument in this photo is made from a rare blond piece of kiaat wood, the wood that all Hugh Tracey kalimbas are made from. The blond wood is the sap wood and is less dense than the darker, browner heart wood and generally makes for a lighter sound.
Celeste Pentatonic, standard G tuning
Hugh Tracey Hotshot-11
Hugh Tracey Hotshot-11 (celeste diatonic) in standard G
Hugh Tracey Hotshot-11 in Hitzaskiar tuning
Page 8 - Hokema Sansulas
The German-made Sansula has excellent tone, mind-bending special effects made by lifting the instrument off of a flat surface to change the resonant frequencies of the body, and charmingly simple scales and note layouts. Kalimba Magic has pioneered the field of developing new Sansula tunings, and we ship these instruments in several different tunings in addition to the elegant standard A minor tuning.
Hokema Sansula Deluxe (goat skin membrane)
Deluxe Sansula, standard Am tuning
Hokema Sansula Renaissance (remo drum head membrane)
Renaissance Sansula, standard Am tuning
Renaissance Sansula, Beautiful E tuning
Renaissance Sansula, Heavenly A tuning
Hokema Pocket Sansula
B9 Pocket Sansula, standard Am tuning
Hokema Twin Sansula
Hokema Twin Sansula, standard Am tuning
Page 9 - Hokema Kalimbas
Hokema B5 Kalimba
These kalimbas are each tuned to a particular chord. If you get two different chords, get two players to take turns, responding to each others playing, and they can improvise melodies following a simple chord progression. Groups of three, four, or five different kalimbas (chords) can be fruitful.
B5 in F minor tuning
A choir of B5 kalimbas
Hokema B7 Kalimba
B7, standard Am tuning
Hokema B11 "Melody" Kalimba
These recordings were made with the B-11 kalimbas strapped to a small cardboard box for amplification. This also adds a bit of a buzz to the sound.
B11 in standard G tuning
B11 in G Ake Bono tuning
B11 in Hitzaskiar tuning
B11 in C Bothian tuning
Hokema A-minor Pentatonic Kalimba
Hokema Box Pentatonic, standard Am tuning
Page 10 - Thomas Bothe "2B" Kalimbas
Thomas Bothe lives on an island in the North Sea off the German coast where he cooks, caters, and builds delightful kalimbas. Each of his instruments is tuned to a different tuning. So you have a choice about the tuning you get: you can take the tuning (always very cool) that comes to you when you order one, or you can listen to Thomas' greatest tunings and pick your favorite, and we'll tune your 2B kalimba to that tuning.
2B Kalimbas have tiny magnetic feet
The 2B/9 Kalimba
The 2B/9 comes in many tunings
The 2B/9B Kalimba
The 2B/14 Kalimba
Several tunings
The 2B/14L Kalimba
Several tunings
Page 11 - Goshen Kalimbas
Goshen Kalimbas, made in West Virginia, are smooth and beautiful instruments. They feel wonderful in your hands and are sweet to play.
Goshen 8-Note Box Kalimba
Standard D tuning
Goshen 11-Note Box Kalimba
Standard D Tuning
Goshen Box Student Kalimba
Box Student Karimba, C tuning
Goshen Student Karimba
G tuning
Goshen 17-Note Karimbas - Lotus, Freygish, Air, African tunings
Goshen 15-Note Alto Kalimba
Standard G Tuning
Page 12 - Roots Production Kalimbas
These kalimbas are made by Andrew Masters in the mountains of eastern France. The bodies are made from real sardine cans. Remarkably resonant, these instruments sound a bit like steel drums.
