devin st.clair - about me - life in the key of 'G'

I've been playing a Hugh Tracey Kalimba [often called a thumb piano] for quite a while now. I have most all the models, the alto box, the treble box, the celeste and a trademark shaped solid board alto.

Now that they come with pickups, I'm expanding my collection with those models as well. And let me just say, they can sound quite impressive through an amplifier. I'm having a blast. Kind of opens a whole new world.

I've cycled through favorite models, but ultimately, each style of Kalimba puts forth it's own voice or personality when it is played. The 'box' styles have the vibrato holes on the back that can give a lot of variation on how you play a note or chord; you can 'bend' notes slightly.

The alto box style is deepest and loudest. The treble box is higher, but still 'throaty' and hollow sounding. The sound board styles, like the celeste and the trademark alto, are 'cleaner' sounding; not quite so much resonance or projection as a box style. However, you can kind of 'throw' the sound off the board if you wiggle it while a note or chord is sustaining. They are nice electric as well.

As you can see from some of the photos, you can mount or place something on the sound board to get a buzz from the vibrations of the notes being plucked. Beer caps work well. ; )

I highly endorse the Hugh Tracey models as they are so well made and really have an even tone through the whole range of notes. I've never seen a better Kalimba yet. It's the only kind I play. I've got several so I can keep them tuned to different keys.

Kalimbas are so primitive and simple, yet it is astonishing how much you can squeeze out of them. The first note I heard from a HT Kalimba connected with me in an epic way, I was instantly haunted and charmed by that voice. I've carried one with me at all times ever since. Little music is my constant companion and the wings on which my spirit soars.

Play on.

"If rain drops had voices, she said, that's what they would sound like."

Check out some of the sites below and their respective links to see more and learn more about the Kalimba.

Kalimba Links:

The Hugh Tracey Kalimba - Check this site out for information on my favorite Kalimba. You can hear what they sound like too.

Kalimba Magic - Mark Holdaway's fantastic site for the Kalimba community. You can buy the entire line of Hugh Tracey Kalimbas here. Mark has also invented a way to write tablature for the Kalimba and has instructional books and information. Mark is a longtime player and has music available too. Check it out.

Harmonic Journey - Lucinda Ellison's site. Home of the e-mbira, and other artistically crafted kalimba treats. Really nice work.

Shinji's Kalimba Gallery - Here is a site I stumbled onto. I don't know how they sound, but they sure are beautiful Kalimbas. Very stylish and elegant.

eKalimba - Here is a link from Shinji's site. Another maker of electric Kalimbas. Kind of curious about these now.

African Musical Instruments - The full line of Hugh Tracey instruments; Kalimbas, marimbas, drums, etc.