The best songs for learning bends and slides at the same time on the kalimba
The kalimba is an African musical instrument played by placing fingers on slats to make notes. Finger movements allow musicians to vary and complete melodies. There are several techniques that kalimba musicians use to personalize songs, including slides and bends. Learning to use these two techniques with the kalimba can be challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun. To help you learn bends and slides, we've listed the best songs to practice mastering them.
Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones
Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones is a song with many interesting bends and kalimba slides. The best way to learn how to play the song is to listen carefully and follow the motions of the slides to understand the techniques involved and how they fit into the melody. If you spend enough time studying the piece and trying to reproduce it on the kalimba, you'll feel more comfortable with the bends and slides.
Sauti Sol's Lomo Chindoke
Sauti Sol's Lomo Chindoke is a highly rhythmic song featuring remarkable bends and slides that can be great fun to play on the kalimba. The song is very easy to learn and can be played for purely aesthetic purposes or to accompany bands or singers. The song consists of four parts and features several bends and slides that can help kalimba players improve their playing style. Learning to play this song is an excellent way to improve your bend and slide practice.
Take Five by Dave Brubeck
Take Five is one of the most famous jazz pieces by one of the greatest jazz pianists and composers. This song features many bends and slides that are very interesting to play on the kalimba. For kalimba players, it's the perfect song to improve your playing style. It requires a lot of practice and attention to nuance to recreate the iconic Take Five rhythm on the kalimba. You'll spend many happy moments trying to master the bends and slides of this song, and in the end, Take Five is the perfect song for learning all the nuances of kalimba movement.
Amazing Grace by The Flecktones
Amazing Grace is one of the world's most famous songs, and The Flecktones performed it on the kalimba. The band's kalimba version features several interesting bends and slides that can be integrated into your playing style. This piece is quite complex, and kalimba players will need to practice and practice for hours to master it. It's very satisfying to be able to play this moving melody on the kalimba and will be an excellent addition to your repertoire. The Flecktones' version is an excellent starting point for learning to play the kalimba and getting the bends and slides right.
These four pieces are the best for learning to play bends and slides on the kalimba. Each presents challenges and opportunities that allow kalimba players of all levels to progress in their playing style. By listening carefully to each song and spending time studying and learning them, you can be sure to improve your kalimba playing. Being able to play bends and slides to perfection takes practice and patience, but it's well worth the effort.