The origin of this curious instrument is obvious from its sound: Africa. Stay and discover its curious history!
Kalimba: where does it come from? History and birth
The calimba, kalimba, sanza, mbira, mambira, malimba kisanji or quisanche has a different name depending on the country and region in which it is mentioned, but they are all identical. It was originally created on the African continent, in Zimbabwe to be precise.
In this region, Shona music stood out, a type of song in which singing and the playing of musical instruments such as the drum and kalimba stood out, while the rest of the population danced to their own rhythm. In fact, the beauty of Shona music is that there is no difference between the performer and the audience, since everyone present in these songs plays their part (or plays instruments, or sings or dances). This is very typical, especially at religious ceremonies or even social gatherings.
Relationship of the kalimba to the piano
Although they are very different instruments, it has always been said that the kalimba could have been one of the predecessor instruments of the piano, due to certain physical similarities. this daily. In fact, the kalimba is commonly referred to as the "thumb piano".
What role did the kalimba play in Shona music?
Those responsible for playing the kalimba (or mbira) during religious or social ceremonies were essentially charged with fulfilling three main roles.
To begin with, the main part of the mbira or kalimba called kushaura had to be played by a performer who also had to act as a singer, since it was he himself who chose the melody that sounded and could therefore base his voice on the tone he gave.
Another person played the kutsinira, the secondary part of this instrument, following the rhythm created by the previous person, interweaving his notes in a very melodic way.
Finally, a third person completes the calimba music with his voice and another instrument called a hosho (a rattle-like instrument made from a hollow gourd filled with dried seeds), responding to the song's lyrics in an improvised way, achieving a spectacular synergistic effect.
Parts of the kalimba
This instrument contains 2 very different parts: the body and the reeds.
The reeds
Also known as kalimba teeth, these are remarkable metal "strips" attached to the kalimba, close together, each a different length to produce a different note. Sound is produced by sliding our fingers over these metal tabs.
The body
The vast majority of kalimbas contain a resonance box (usually made of wood), which is responsible for making the sound a certain way: depending on its shape and materials, a kalimba sounds one way or another.
There are a few exceptions: there are also flat calimbas: instead of having a resonance box, they simply have flat wood, so the sound varies considerably.
Inside the body of the kalimba are the following parts:
The bridge
This is the surface on which the reeds are hung, ensuring that they are slightly raised so that they have room to vibrate and produce sound.
The central hole
Thanks to this hole, the sound of the reeds penetrates the resonance box, amplifying the sound.
Kalimbas evolution in the present
Although the essence of this instrument is virtually the same today as when it was created, it's true that today's Kalimbas are a little different.
For a start, they are now directly tuned (to F#) and diatonic. In addition, its keys are larger and more comfortable, and the resonators are better, producing a hum-like sound that seems much more precise and in tune.
In fact, it's becoming increasingly fashionable to buy them and cover current songs with them, instead of continuing with their traditional Shona musical origins. This is quite respectable, in fact it's original, since the same song gives off a very different "aura" when covered on one instrument than on another, and the kalimba makes it possible to "soften" many of today's best-known songs.