Recommended for children to cultivate musical talent and music-loving adults. Perfect for travel, quiet evenings, relaxation, etc.

Description of the transparent kalimba :

Item type: Kalimba Kimi transparent 

Material: Acrylic

Specifications: 17 notes

Note: The appearance of colors may differ due to different screen settings.

Transparent (acrylic) or wooden kalimba: which is better?

The transparent Kalimba has become a popular instrument in recent years. This is due to its soothing sound, its portable size and the ease with which you can learn to play this instrument. However, you may have noticed that some kalimbas are made of acrylic, while others are made of wood. But which is better, the transparent acrylic or the wooden kalimba? 

There are many differences between wooden and acrylic kalimbas, but they are generally minimal, with volume being the biggest contrast. Which is better ultimately depends on your personal preferences, but as a general rule, wooden kalimbas are generally a better choice for beginners, while acrylic kalimbas are better suited to players who already have some experience of the instrument. 

Below, we'll look at the main differences between the two types of kalimba, which will help you decide which is the best choice for you.

Read on to learn all you need to know about the differences between transparent (acrylic) and wooden kalimba.

Clear (acrylic) and wooden kalimbas: Key differences 

Consider the following factors when deciding whether a wooden or acrylic kalimba is best for you:

Kalimba volume 

The difference in volume, or dynamics, is the greatest contrast between wooden and acrylic kalimbas. 

Clear acrylic kalimbas are nowhere near as loud as wooden kalimbas, which is largely due to the fact that wooden kalimbas tend to be hollow (although flat wooden kalimbas are also available). This design provides a large chamber in which the sound can resonate. In general, it's much more difficult to create a hollow acrylic kalimba, so it can never be as loud.

There's also a role for the material properties of wood and acrylic, with wood being more resonant than acrylic, allowing for greater volume potential.

Although you can get almost the same amount of sound from an acrylic kalimba, it requires you to pinch the kalimba's teeth much harder than you would on a wooden kalimba, and this will be hard on your fingers, especially if your nails aren't very long. 

The sound of the kalimba

Although the sound of the transparent (acrylic) and wooden kalimba is not the biggest difference between the two, many players consider this factor to be the most important. 

Acrylic kalimbas have a warmer, softer, music-box sound. These kalimbas are best suited to softer songs, such as lullabies. 

Wooden kalimbas, on the other hand, have a slightly richer, brighter sound. Wooden kalimbas are often used to play pop music. 

Like volume, this difference in sound is largely due to the material properties of wood and acrylic. If the wooden kalimba is also hollow, this further enhances the brighter, cleaner sound produced by the wood.

How can I use both a transparent (acrylic) and a wooden kalimba?

Many kalimba players like to use a transparent (acrylic) and a wooden kalimba. Having one of each allows you to experiment more with sounds and explore more versatility. If you like the subtly different sounds of each kalimba, you can determine which tunes sound best on each kalimba. 

Bear in mind that you should only consider getting two kalimbas if you already have one that you're committed to playing. If you're still looking for your first kalimba, only get one, as you won't know if you want to continue playing until you've tried it. 

Conclusion 

Overall, wooden kalimbas are clearly better and more suitable for beginners, as they are easier to learn, and are also easier to hold and play due to the hollow design and lighter material. You'll get more sound out of a wooden kalimba, while putting less strain on your fingers and wrist. 

However, many kalimba players prefer the clearer sound of an acrylic kalimba, and the slight increase in difficulty is not as noticeable after a week or so. Choosing the best type of kalimba will ultimately depend on your personal preferences if you decide to continue playing.

If you want to learn how to play Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" on the kalimba, take a look at our tutorial !