Magadi Kalimba M17
Price:
€56.56
Kalimba Magadi M17
This 17-tone kalimba combines cherry wood construction with steel tines tuned to C major, producing a warm, sustained sound that rewards both structured melody and intuitive exploration. The instrument's diatonic layout and harmonic range make it equally accessible to players encountering the form for the first time and to those developing more complex melodic ideas.
Construction and Materials
The body is carved from solid cherry wood, chosen for its tonal properties and workability. Steel tines are mounted on a wooden block and arranged in the traditional kalimba pattern, with the lowest and highest notes positioned at the outer edges and the middle register clustered toward the center. This layout places the foundational notes—C and D in the lower register—within immediate reach of the thumbs, the primary playing fingers.
Tuning and Range
The instrument is tuned to C major across three octaves, spanning from D4 to E6. This diatonic tuning means that nearly any sequence of notes produces consonant harmony; there are few genuinely dissonant combinations available, which is why the kalimba has long served as an instrument for improvisation. The central tines, tuned to C4 and D4, serve as the gravitational center of the instrument's sound world.
Sound and Amplification
The cherry wood body resonates with a full, clear tone that sustains naturally as each tine vibrates. When the kalimba is held against a larger resonating surface—a table, a wooden box, or a cajon—the sound amplifies considerably without electronic intervention. This passive amplification method has been used for decades and remains one of the simplest ways to project the instrument's voice in ensemble or performance settings.
Playing and Repertoire
You hold the kalimba in both hands, using your thumbs to pluck the tines downward and then release them upward, allowing each note to ring. The C major tuning permits playing a wide variety of songs across multiple musical traditions—folk melodies, simple classical phrases, and contemporary compositions all sit comfortably within the instrument's pitch universe. The layout also invites spontaneous exploration; the harmonic compatibility of the tuning system means that wandering through the tines yields musical results rather than chaos.
What's Included
The Kalimba Magadi M17 arrives as a complete, ready-to-play instrument. A passive microphone is integrated into the body, allowing direct connection to an amplifier or recording device if electric amplification becomes necessary.
Care and Maintenance
The cherry wood body benefits from occasional light oiling to maintain its finish and prevent drying. The steel tines are durable and resist corrosion, but should be kept clean and dry. Storage in a stable environment—avoiding extreme humidity or temperature swings—preserves both the wood and the tuning stability of the instrument over time.
The kalimba remains a foundation instrument in thumb piano traditions across Africa and beyond, played in both ceremonial and social contexts, and increasingly adopted by musicians worldwide seeking an instrument that balances accessibility with expressive depth.
Price:
€56.56
Kalimba Magadi M17 — A 17-key thumb piano in C major diatonic tuning, handcrafted from solid cherry wood with treated steel tines. This compact instrument produces a warm, resonant tone with natural sustain, equally suited to beginners exploring the instrument's intuitive layout and experienced players developing melodic complexity. The traditional note arrangement, centered on C4 and D4, allows natural harmonic combinations across three octaves. A portable entry into African-inspired thumb piano tradition, ready to play from the moment you hold it.
Piezo pickup
Without
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Magadi M17
| Weight | 0,60 kg |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Dimensions | 16,0 × 13,5 × 4,5 cm |
| Materials | Cherry wood - Steel |
| Equipment | Passive Pickup |
| Type | Board kalimba |
| Tines | 17 Tines |
| Tuning | C major |
Caution: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Please supervise older children. Beware of swallowing small parts, strangulation, material allergies, sharp edges and points! Use only for sound generation. No liability for improper use.
Care: Extreme temperature fluctuations, humidity and direct sunlight can affect the lifespan. Please store in balanced humidity to prevent material changes, mold and corrosion. Remove dirt with a damp cloth. Dry after cleaning and each use.
Disposal: Please contact your local waste disposal authority for information on environmentally sound disposal!
Kalimba Magadi M17
This 17-tone kalimba combines cherry wood construction with steel tines tuned to C major, producing a warm, sustained sound that rewards both structured melody and intuitive exploration. The instrument's diatonic layout and harmonic range make it equally accessible to players encountering the form for the first time and to those developing more complex melodic ideas.
Construction and Materials
The body is carved from solid cherry wood, chosen for its tonal properties and workability. Steel tines are mounted on a wooden block and arranged in the traditional kalimba pattern, with the lowest and highest notes positioned at the outer edges and the middle register clustered toward the center. This layout places the foundational notes—C and D in the lower register—within immediate reach of the thumbs, the primary playing fingers.
Tuning and Range
The instrument is tuned to C major across three octaves, spanning from D4 to E6. This diatonic tuning means that nearly any sequence of notes produces consonant harmony; there are few genuinely dissonant combinations available, which is why the kalimba has long served as an instrument for improvisation. The central tines, tuned to C4 and D4, serve as the gravitational center of the instrument's sound world.
Sound and Amplification
The cherry wood body resonates with a full, clear tone that sustains naturally as each tine vibrates. When the kalimba is held against a larger resonating surface—a table, a wooden box, or a cajon—the sound amplifies considerably without electronic intervention. This passive amplification method has been used for decades and remains one of the simplest ways to project the instrument's voice in ensemble or performance settings.
Playing and Repertoire
You hold the kalimba in both hands, using your thumbs to pluck the tines downward and then release them upward, allowing each note to ring. The C major tuning permits playing a wide variety of songs across multiple musical traditions—folk melodies, simple classical phrases, and contemporary compositions all sit comfortably within the instrument's pitch universe. The layout also invites spontaneous exploration; the harmonic compatibility of the tuning system means that wandering through the tines yields musical results rather than chaos.
What's Included
The Kalimba Magadi M17 arrives as a complete, ready-to-play instrument. A passive microphone is integrated into the body, allowing direct connection to an amplifier or recording device if electric amplification becomes necessary.
Care and Maintenance
The cherry wood body benefits from occasional light oiling to maintain its finish and prevent drying. The steel tines are durable and resist corrosion, but should be kept clean and dry. Storage in a stable environment—avoiding extreme humidity or temperature swings—preserves both the wood and the tuning stability of the instrument over time.
The kalimba remains a foundation instrument in thumb piano traditions across Africa and beyond, played in both ceremonial and social contexts, and increasingly adopted by musicians worldwide seeking an instrument that balances accessibility with expressive depth.
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