2025-10-23-11-22-58-Калимба

1. Kalimba

It is a compact musical
instrument that looks like
a music box.
An African folk instrument
The name "kalimba"
comes from the Bantu
language and means
"little musical voice" in
translation
Сержант Виктория 4 курс

2.

African origin
According to various sources, Kalimba (Mbira) appeared twice in Africa:
1. About 3,000 years ago, on the west coast of Africa, the instrument was made
of wood or bamboo.
2. About 1300 years ago, in the valley of the Zambezi River, an mbira appeared
with a wooden body and metal tongues.

3.

Initially, the tabs of
the instrument were
made of bamboo or
wood, but after a
while they began to
be made of metal.
There were many
variations of the
instrument, but even
then the basic
appearance and
sound were formed,
which are familiar to
many under the
name kalimba.

4.

And then they began to decorate and improve
them

5.

The instrument appeared in its usual form in the 1950s thanks to Hugh
Tracy. He founded the International Library of African Music company and
began producing and selling kalimbas in the European and American
markets. Tracy called his version "kalimba"

6.

In the 1980s, kalimba reached a new
level thanks to the African musician
Thomas Mapfumo, who combined it
with electric guitars and drums within
the framework of the afro-rock genre.
In the 1970s, American singer
Erika Azim also began to study
and then teach playing the mbir.

7.

Structure
The performer clicks on
the tabs with his nails or
fingertips, causing them
to vibrate. The sound is
amplified by the body,
which can be made of
wood or plastic.

8.

The arrangement of the notes
The notes on the kalimba
are not arranged in the
same order as on the
piano. Adjacent notes of the
scale are on opposite sides
of the instrument.
The sound range of the
kalimba depends on the
number of tabs installed.

9.

Tuning
The kalimba is tuned
by adjusting the
length of the
oscillating part of
each reed – the
shorter the reed, the
higher the sound of
the note, and vice
versa. To do this, use
a special hammer.
You can use a tuner
for accuracy.

10.

Interesting fact
In his homeland, the mbira is not just a musical instrument, but an important
part of culture and religion. It is believed that the sound of mbira helps to enter
into a trance and establish contact with the other world.