Kalimbas and Sansulas

What is a kalimba, and how is it played?

A kalimba is an African plucked instrument from the lamellophone family, in which metal tongues are attached to a wooden soundbox. It is played with the thumbs or fingers by gently plucking the tongues. Depending on the model, the notes are arranged and tuned in such a way that even without prior musical knowledge, players can quickly create harmonious melodies and spontaneous sequences of sounds.

Is a kalimba a good instrument for beginners?

Yes, a kalimba is an instrument that’s easy for beginners to pick up because you can create harmonious sounds using just a few playing techniques. In particular, the Hokema Kalimba B9 and the Kalimba B11 “Melody” are particularly well-suited for an easy start: The tines can be played intuitively with your thumbs, allowing you to play your first melodies even without knowing how to read music. The B9’s compact design also makes it especially easy to handle.

What is the difference between a kalimba and a sansula?

The most important difference between the kalimba and the sansula lies in their construction and, consequently, in their sound. On a kalimba, the metal tines are mounted on a wooden soundbox, while the tines of a sansula are attached to a wooden block that vibrates on a membrane. This gives the sansula a particularly warm, ethereal, and long-lingering sound. Both instruments are intuitive to play and are well-suited for meditation, sound healing, and spontaneous music-making.

Which kalimba is best for beginners?

For beginners, kalimbas with a manageable number of harmonized notes and an intuitive playing style are ideal. The Hokema Kalimba B9 , with nine tines, offers a particularly easy introduction and, thanks to its compact size, is well-suited for travel. The Kalimba B11 “Melody” , with eleven tines, offers slightly more possibilities for melodies and is also easy to play.

What kind of tone should a kalimba have?

The key that’s best suited for a kalimba depends on the desired sound and intended use; our models are available in A minor and G major, among other keys, and are designed for intuitive playing. The Kalimba B9 is tuned to A minor at 432 Hz, while the Kalimba B11 “Melody” is tuned to G major at 432 Hz. The different note sequences give each instrument its own musical character and open up various possibilities for melodies and free playing.

How do I find the right kalimba or sansula?

The best way to find the right kalimba or sansula is to consider its sound, size, tuning, and your preferred playing style. A kalimba is particularly well-suited if you want to play melodies, while a sansula produces a warm, ethereal sound thanks to its membrane. The compact Hokema B9 is a great choice for beginners, while the B11 “Melody” offers more possibilities for playing melodies. The Hokema Twin Kalimba combines two kalimbas into one, opening up additional possibilities for playing and combining notes.

Among the Sansula models, the main differences lie in their construction and features: The Sansula Basic offers a simple introduction to the characteristic Sansula sound. The Sansula Basic Melody is specifically designed for intuitive melody playing. The Sansula Renaissance combines the typical warm Sansula sound with exceptionally high-quality craftsmanship and is also suitable for professional use.

Where can I buy a kalimba or sansula online?

You can buy a kalimba or sansula online at the Hess Sound’s Kalimba Shop . There you’ll find various Hokema models in different sizes, tunings, and tonal characteristics, as well as matching cases and accessories. If you’d like to buy a kalimba or sansula in Germany, you can conveniently select and order the instruments online. This way, you can take your time comparing which instrument best suits your personal preferences in terms of sound, size, and playing style.

What should I keep in mind when buying a kalimba?

When buying a kalimba, the most important factors to consider are the number of tines, the tuning, the material, the size, and the craftsmanship. Deciding whether you’d rather play melodies or improvise freely can also help you choose. For beginners, a model that’s intuitive to play and has a harmonic tone arrangement may be a good choice. A tuning fork can also be helpful if you want to retune a kalimba or sansula precisely later on.