Hugh Tracey Alto Kalimba 15-key Alto Kalimba Review

When I was growing up, a family friend had a Hugh Tracey Kalimba on their coffee table, and I used to love to plink on it, but I never really knew the magic it had in it until one day 20 years ago when some of my friends were fooling around with a brand new Alto Hugh Tracey Kalimba.A stranger walked into the house and started playing the kalimba, and the most amazingly beautiful music started pouring out of this thing!I immediately ran out and bought one myself, and have spent 20 years chasing the memory of that fateful day.

OK, some specifics: this is the first kalimba to be marketed outside of Africa, starting around 1960, and this is the instrument that started the Kalimba Craze.It is STILL made in South Africa, and it is STILL among the top quality kalimbas commercially available.Abundant instructional material now exists online.The wood is Kiaat, a resonant hardwood that is abundant in southern Africa.The tone is clear, the tines are delicate and smooth, easy on your thumbs and nails; the two octave range from low "DO" to high "DO" is easy to wrap your brain around (the Treble kalimba starts on the 3rd of the scale, or "Mi"; BTW, this kalimba is LARGER than the Pakistani-made immitation of the HT Treble kalimba which is marketed as the "Large Rosewood Kalimba").The tines are wider than the Treble, which makes it easier to play.The one drawback is that children and women with small hands are not so comfortable with this model.For them, I do suggest the Hugh Tracey Treble kalimba or theTM Alto, a newer model with the same tines as the ALTO, but mounted on a 0.5 inch kiaat board.The TM ALTO is easy for small hands to hold, but then you don't have the wonderful "Wah Wah" effect from the sound holes in the resonant box.

This instrument has been the joy of my life, and I cannot recommend it enough.I have found it deeply disturbing that the US market has been dominated by inferior kalimbas for the last several years.In this rush to globalization and Walmart-ization of consumer goods where the bottom line is just about how much money a product costs, we risk losing the real quality products out there.YES, the African-made Hugh Tracey Kalimba costs a lot more than the Pakistani-made immitation, but its WORTH it!It is a real musical instrument, capable of bringing great beauty and joy into the world.

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Product Description:
Hugh Tracey Kalimbas are hand made thumb pianos from South Africa, known the world over for their beautiful tone. These instruments are truly authentic both in construction and sound. The Kalimba - depending on the region also called Thumb Piano, Finger Piano, Mbira, Sanza or Likembe - is a wood box on which a collection of metal strips are mounted. The Kalimba is held in the hand or on the knee and the musician plucks the free hanging strips with the thumb or fingers.

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24 Key Large Jimmy Chifamba Shona Mbira/Kalimba from Zimbabwe Review

Outstanding performance headed up by Mbira masters Jimmy Chifamba and Mandi Sampson. Jimmy can be seen on the calabash shakers here and Mandi is playing Mbira in the Black Deze. Filmed in Zimbabwe, thanks to Alongside productions for making the fantastic Video

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Product Description:
I have recently returned from Zimbabwe where I had a chance to meet with Jimmy Chifamba and his band mate Mandi Sampson for a short performance which was just fantastic. I should have some video footage of his band playing their songs in the near future. Hand made from a block of wood that is carefully selected. This Mbira has 24 metal keys and this has a particularly great tone to it with decent sustain. When each key is made they use a master mbira to adjust each key to sound the same as that master mbiras keys ensuring it is tuned correctly. It has 4 adjust-a-chain bolts on the back used to loosen/tighten the keys to the board. This is a Large full size mbira, check the measurements below. This is the primary imstrument of the Shona Zezuru people of Zimbabwe and has been for hundreds of years where the instrument first originated. Be sure the Mbira you purchase is actually made in Zimbabwe as there are cheaper imitations around.In a typical mbira band performance there would be 4 mbira players, one playing bass, another playing rhythm, a sub rhythm player, a lead and finally a dancer! It is quite entrancing to hear the various sections played together by experienced players. Compare this to other mbiras online retailing for over $200. Made from the same Shona mbira masters as those were but at a fraction of the price. Being born and raised in Zim I can assure you this is an authentic Zim-bira!There are many links online showing one how to play the mbira The keys can be adjusted up/down on the board to alter the tune. This could make a great gift. This measures 9.25 x 9.25 inches wide. I ship quickly. Thanks for looking.

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Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba 17-key Treble Kalimba Review

I proudly own a Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba. This is a very fine instrument so don't be put off by it's simple design.It is well worth it's price the minute you hold it & play it for the very first time....the best sounding kalimba on the market....anything else is ,in my opinion, an imitation of it, I know, I bought one of "those" too!!!
You have to play one to know what I'm talking about. A finely crafted product...Do I sound like a commercial??? I sing it's praises, but a Hugh Tracey Kalimba "speaks" for itself!

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Product Description:
Hugh Tracey Kalimbas are hand made thumb pianos from South Africa, known the world over for their beautiful tone. These instruments are truly authentic both in construction and sound. The Kalimba - depending on the region also called Thumb Piano, Finger Piano, Mbira, Sanza or Likembe - is a wood box on which a collection of metal strips are mounted. The Kalimba is held in the hand or on the knee and the musician plucks the free hanging strips with the thumb or fingers.

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8-note Board Piano Kalimba Set with Songbook and CD Review

I received this instrument about 2 days ago. I have been playing for about 7 hours total now. The book is easy to follow, the CD provides help if you can't get the tempo down. This instrument sounds really clear and beautiful. The book also covers everything from maintaining the instrument, tuning(The instrument is already pre-tuned to standard C scale), and chords. I expect this instrument to accompany me a long time . It's worth getting if your a beginner.

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Product Description:
Board pianos are comfortable, durable, go-anywhere musical instruments for young and old alike! The board piano is adapted from an ancient folk instrument that originated in Africa centuries ago. Each instrument has been precisely tuned to a C major scale. The 8-note board pianos come in a variety of solid hardwoods to us, and may include cherry, walnut, or padouk; we will ship the style we have in stock at the time your order is placed. As well as instructions for care and maintenance, you will receive a 20-page book with instructions for playing 31 familiar songs and a demonstration CD. Songbook contents: How to Play, Easy as 1-2-3, 3 Blind Mice, A Tisket A Tasket, The Alphabet Song, Animal Fair, Billy Boy, Buffalo Gals, Caissons Go Rolling Along, Camptown Races, Everybody Loves Saturday Night, The Hokey Pokey, Home Sweet Home, Kum Ba Ya, Little Liza Jane, London Bridge, Lullaby, This Old Man, The Marines' Hymn, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Michael Row Your Boat Ashore, The Mulberry Bush, Oh Susannah, On Top of Old Smoky, One Potato, When the Saints Come Marching In, Tinga Layo, Over the River & Through the Woods, Rock-a My Soul, Row Row Row Your Boat, Shortnin' Bread, Sweet Betsy from Pike, There Was a Crooked Man, Chord Chart, Tuning & Care of Your Kalimba.

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African Gourd Thumb Piano, Kalimba Review

I'd say this is more of a decorative product than a fully functional one. It works great and what you see online is what you get, but I haven't been able to tune the thing. The product is from Ghana so it is authentic and you are supporting African craftsmen which is great- and it is made out of a real gourd and is attractive in appearance. It's especially good for kids as you can teach them cultural things. But most other Kalimbas have more thumb keys.

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Product Description:
This Gourd Thumb Piano is from Ghana. It has many names Mbira, Sansa also called the walker's friend. This is because on journeys, it is taken along to make music. Tuning is done by shortening or legnthing the metal rods. This thumb piano also has metal buzzers. Designs vary.

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8-Note Board Piano (Kalimba) Review

Gave as a gift to a "musical" family.They love it.Easy and fun.

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Product Description:
Board pianos are comfortable, durable, go-anywhere musical instruments for young and old alike! Gently pluck the metal keys to play this ancient African folk instrument. Dimensions are approximately 7.88" long x 5.5" wide (remember, due to the natural materials used sizes and colors will vary). The board piano features a hand-rubbed oil finish, and an occasional cleaning with lemon oil polish will keep your piano looking like new. The instruction booklet includes tips on how to play, tuning, special effects, and care, as well as familiar songs: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, You Are My Sunshine, On Top of Old Smokey, 3 Blind Mice, When the Saints Go Marching In, London Bridge Is Falling Down, Michael Row Your Boat Ashore, Kum Ba Ya, Row Row Row Your Boat, This Old Man, Shortnin' Bread, Oh Susanna.

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Thumb Piano, Small Review

I bought 2 of these for Christmas presents.It was nice to buy a unique gift. My family loved them.Worth the money.Great for those who love musical instruments of all kinds.

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Product Description:
Rosewood thumb piano, 3" x 5", 8 steel keys. The thumb piano originates in Africa. It is also known as the mbira or likembe. The metal keys are mounted on a wooden box that acts as the resonating chamber. Longer keys have lower pitches and shorter keys have higher pitches. The keys can be adjusted by tapping them in or out to adjust their pitch. Many different tunings are acceptable, according to personal preference. Similar tuning is only an issue when two instruments are played together; then they should generally agree in tuning.

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Thumb Piano, Large Review

I've been playing the Hugh Tracey Kalimba for many years.
I bought a Mid East Kalimba from eBay.

It was advertised as a Hugh Tracey Kalimba and came
in an old Hugh Tracey box. I thought I had gotten a good deal.
In the picture it looks exactly the same.

The first thing I noticed different was the paint on the tines.
It was a more of a translucent color. I thought it had been
repainted (and kind of a sloppy job at that).

The next thing I noticed, as soon as I took it out the box
was that it was a much heavier wood. It did not have the light
feel of the Hugh Tracey models which are made from an exotic,
resonant Kiaat wood. This thing was thick.

It looked very pretty though.

The big disappointment came when I started to play the instrument.
First off, it was out of tune. I had a rough time trying to tune
this beast. With the Hugh Tracey models, I just wiggle the tines
side to side or use a coin to push the tines.

The tines don't move easily on this Mid East Beast... Damn!
Unless you know what you are doing, you won't be
able to get this thing in tune. It's very difficult.

After fighting with it for almost an hour, I finally got it tuned.
The sound is OK but kind of tinny (if that's a word).
It doesn't have the full, deeper sound of the Hugh Tracey.

It's probably because the tines are thicker.
It doesn't have the mellow tamber nor maintain the sustain.

I also notice the edges of the tines are not smooth.
It's a little rough on your thumbnails.
You probably should sand them down some to smooth it out.

All in all, it looks pretty but not much fun to play.

I would never buy another one
(and wish I could get my money back).

You'd be much better off with a Hugh Tracey Model.
They come tuned, don't scratch your thumbnails
and give you a much fuller, more mellow sound.

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Product Description:
Rosewood thumb piano, 5" x 7", 17 steel keys and two vibrato holes on the back. The thumb piano originates in Africa. It is also known as the mbira or likembe. The metal keys are mounted on a wooden box that acts as the resonating chamber. To play, rest the thumb piano on the fingers of both hands and hold it between your palms. Cover the vibrato holes with your fingers. Then pluck the keys with your thumbs. As you play you can un-cover and cover the vibrato holes as you like. Many different tunings are acceptable, according to personal preference. Specific tuning of a thumb piano is only an issue when two instruments are played together; then they should generally agree in tuning. Otherwise, the tuning is subjective and should only be pleasing to the player. The longer keys have lower pitches and shorter keys have higher pitches. The keys can be adjusted by tapping them in or out to adjust their length, and therefore their pitch.

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