The Best Kalimba in 2021

Kalimbas were created in Africa and spread through the West as a string instrument, but they’re also used to play many different instruments. Their modern day history goes back over 400 years and we can expect much more from these musical wonders in 2021!

The “moozica kalimba 21 keys” is a new type of musical instrument that will be available in 2021. It has been described as the best Kalimba in 2021.

At 10:13 a.m. on January 22nd, 2021, this page was last updated.

I like playing my kalimba because it’s a pleasant, easy-to-learn instrument that calms me with its peaceful melodic tone. You’ve come to the correct spot if you’re seeking to buy your own. We’re here to assist you in finding the finest kalimba for all of your musical requirements, but first, let’s go over some essential considerations.

“In 2021, we’ve revised our list to guarantee that we only suggest the finest Kalimbas available.”

What exactly is a Kalimba?

The Kalimba, also known as the African Thumb Piano or Mbira, is a basic percussion instrument that uses metal tines attached to a sounding board to create a calming rhythmic sound.

Kalimbas are usually handcrafted and contain anything from five to twenty-one keys to play with. With so many choices available today, it’s difficult to tell which one is the finest Kalimba on the market. There are a few things to think about before purchasing one.

Important Points to Think About

On the Kalimba, how many keys are there?

Choosing how many keys you want on your kalimba is probably the best place to start. Many Kalimbas on the market have 17 keys and are tuned to a particular tone or key (Standard tuning in the Key of C). The most important thing to remember is that the more keys/tines you have on your kalimba, the more chords you have to deal with.

Having additional chords to deal with expands your repertoire of songs to play and gives you more flexibility to explore musically on your thumb piano. Of course, the larger your kalimba is, the more keys it contains. If size and mobility are essential considerations for your kalimba purchase, we suggest looking at models with fewer keys.

Is it better to have them close together or spread out?

The distance between the keys/tines on the kalimba is something that many people overlook. If you’re like me and have large fingers, playing on a kalimba with tight spacing may be difficult. This is particularly true if your style of play necessitates accurate plucking. When it comes to playing a thumb piano, precision is crucial, so think about what kind of spacing would be ideal for your fingers.

Of course, while purchasing a Kalimba, it’s essential to consider your playing style. If you wish to perform songs that demand you to strum on several keys at once, a kalimba with closer keys may be the ideal choice.

Kalimbas with more widely spread keys often have a hollow body with a soundhole, while kalimbas with tightly spaced tines are typically made entirely of wood.

Let’s get into our list of recommendations to help you find the best kalimba for you now that you have a better idea of what you might be looking for.

In 2020, we’ve compiled a list of the top five best kalimba options.

1. LingTing’s Rain Whisperer Kalimba (Our Favorite)

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A great option for those seeking for a Kalimba with a larger number of keys. The LingTing LT-K21W, commonly known as the “Rain Whisperer” Kalimba, is an excellent choice for both beginners and experts. The music produced by this thumb piano, which is made of high-quality black walnut wood, is angelic and pure. Because this is a pure wood kalimba, it has a lower resonance than hollow body kalimbas.

The key of F is tuned on this kalimba, which has 21 keys. With 21 keys to work with, you’ll have more space to explore musically while also expanding your repertoire of tunes to perform. You may always adjust the keys with the supplied tuning hammer to suit your musical requirements, just like any other kalimba.

It’s also worth remembering that the keys/tines will be closer together. This is ideal for anybody who wants to perform songs that need several keys to be strummed at the same time. Because chords aren’t etched on the keys, you’ll have to rely on the syllable stickers to figure out what chord each key is.

In general, the LingTing “Rain Whisperer” kalimba is our favorite kalimba on the market. LingTing goes to great lengths to ensure that its Kalimbas are of the highest quality, both in terms of construction and sound/tone.

The following items are included in this bundle:

Kalimba in 21 Keys (Black Walnut)
hammer for tuning
(Adds a “bell-like” tone) Chain
Case for transporting
a little sack
Stickers with Syllables
Cleaning the piano with a towel
Caps for your fingers
Kalimba Booklet with Instructions

2. Thumb Piano GECKO Kalimba 17 Keys (All-Around Great Choice)

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Gecko’s wonderfully constructed Kalimba enters our list as a fantastic all-around option for gamers of all skill levels. Gecko used high-quality mahogany wood and ore steel bars to create this Kalimba, which improves users’ hearing, eyesight, and touch. Many people are astonished and pleased by how well this kalimba performs, particularly given its price range.

This Kalimba is tuned in the key of C, however the tuning hammer that Gecko provides with each instrument may be used to change the key. Because of the soundhole, it features a hollow design with excellent resonance and enhanced loudness. The overall tone produced by this kalimba is rich and vibrant.

All of this is contained inside a beautiful protective shell that protects the thumb piano from damage, humidity, scratches, and other factors. The case also makes traveling with your instrument more convenient.

The only thing I’d want to mention is that it isn’t advertised as having chord names etched into the keys or tines. This package includes Phonetic stickers, which are excellent for beginners, but if you prefer a more visually pleasing Kalimba, you may not like it. You can always remove the stickers after you’ve gotten to know your Gecko Kalimba better, so don’t let this one item deter you.

Gecko has shown that a high-quality kalimba does not have to cost $100 or more. Their thumb piano is definitely worth the money and suitable for all ages.

The following items are included in this bundle:

Treble Kalimba in 17 Keys
Hammer of Tuning
x1 Waterproof and Shockproof Travel Case
Piano Key Stickers for the Thumb (1 Set)
1 x Flannelette Bag
x1 Cleaning Cloth
Guide to Studying (User Manual and Music Score)

3. Moozica Kalimba Marimba 17 Keys (Most Design Options)

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If you want to add some variety to your Kalimba purchase, I suggest checking out Moozica’s 17-key thumb pianos. The 17-key Kalimba by Moozica is available in four distinct color/wood combinations, offering players additional options. Two Koa Kalimbas are available, one constructed of Acacia Koa wood and the other from a combination of chosen Koa and Spruce wood. The other two choices are constructed of Mahogany, one of which has a distinct deep blue hue.

The main difference between the two wood choices is that Koa creates a warmer and deeper tone, while Mahogony gives a brighter and cleaner sound. The tone quality was consistently excellent on every note, from high to low, according to several owners. This kalimba is tuned in the key of C, however the tuning may be changed to suit your requirements.

The chord names and numbers are etched on each key, making these kalimbas ideal for beginners.

Overall, these Moozica kalimbas are fantastic, with a sturdy construction that creates a pleasant high-quality tone that is suitable for players of all levels. While these thumb pianos seem to be targeted for novices, advanced kalimba players will enjoy the quality and tone they produce.

The following items are included in this bundle:

Kalimba with 17 Keys
Hammer of Tuning
Waterproof Kalimba Bag for Professionals
Protective fingerwear
Stickers with chords
Cloth for cleaning
Songbook and Learning Guide

4. MOOZICA Solid 21 Keys Kalimba de Koa

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Another fantastic kalimba from Moozica, particularly if you’re looking for a thumb piano with a larger number of keys to play with. This kalimba is made from a single piece of solid koa wood and features a solid wood board design. The koa wood body produces a warm and deeper tone, similar to Moozica’s 17 key kalimbas, but its robust construction allows for greater expression of the upper notes.

It’s worth noting that the solid wood construction makes the sound quieter than hollow-body kalimbas, yet the tone it creates is lyrical and clean. Unlike LingTing’s 21-key thumb piano, Moozica’s thumb piano comes completely tuned in the key of C. The keys range from F3 to E6, providing you plenty of options.

The chords etched on each tine were designed with beginning players in mind. This allows novice players to quickly get acquainted with their kalimba while also keeping it clean and simple to maintain. This thumb piano has a higher wood density than other choices, which makes it heavier, but it also helps maintain a direct and full vibration while playing.

Of course, everything comes with useful extras like a protective case to protect your kalimba, a tuning hammer, finger protectors, and music scale stickers.

The following items are included in this bundle:

Kalimba in 21 Keys (Solid Wood)
x1 Hammer of Tuning
x1 Protective Hard Case
Bag for kalimba
Finger Protectors
Stickers with musical scales
Songbook and Instruction Manual

5. EASTROCK Kalimba 17 Keys Thumb Piano (Cheapest/ Most Budget-Friendly)

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Check out this 17-key thumb piano from EASTROCK if you’re searching for the finest kalimba that’s both affordable and high-quality. This 17-key kalimba is handmade of mahogany wood, which has a finer texture, greater sustain, and a more sensitive tone, making it an ideal option for beginning players. The finish on this thumb piano is so lovely that you’d never guess it was the most affordable choice on our list.

I appreciate how EASTROCK carved the chord names on each key of their kalimba, understanding that many individuals buying in this price bracket are most likely novices or first-time purchasers.

Because of its naturally air-dried mahogany veneer, the tone of this thumb piano is sharp and pleasant. The resonance on this kalimba is louder and richer because to the solid wood and box construction, producing a “melodious and enduring” impact while you play. This instrument is less heavy than other alternatives while maintaining its durability. This kalimba’s hand-polished and curved edges make it feel smoother and more comfortable in your hands.

It comes pre-tuned in the key of C and includes a tuning hammer for further tuning.

Overall, this is the best choice for learning to play the kalimba while saving money.

The following items are included in this bundle:

Kalimba with 17 Keys (Mahogany)
Tuning Hammer
EVA Case
Bag made of cloth
Cloth for polishing
Finger protectors
Stickers in various colors
handbook of instructions

Other Things to Think About

Is it better to have a solid wood body or a hollow body?

You’ll notice that the keys of pure wood kalimbas are closer together, and the sound isn’t as rich. These are ideal for musicians who want to “strum” several keys at the same time while playing chords.

As I previously said, hollow body kalimbas typically feature a soundhole that increases the loudness of your instrument. When opposed to its pure wood equivalents, keys/tines are often more widely spaced. These are ideal for musicians who want to perform songs that need a lot of individual choosing. You have more freedom to be more accurate when playing with keys that are spread apart, resulting in fewer errors.

Engraved Chords and Numbers or Stickers

If you truly need the additional help while keeping your Kalimba looking nice, this is something you should think about. It’s very useful to know what chord each key/tine on the kalimba plays. They’re similar to the stickers that new piano students use to mark the keys as they learn. Kalimbas may be used in the same way. Before you go ahead and do that, keep in mind that there are alternatives with chord names etched on each key.

I strongly advise you to look for Kalimbas with chord names etched on them. They are more appealing to the eye and need less upkeep. Stickers are useful, but as you play your kalimba more, you may notice that the stickers begin to come off. Kalimbas with engraved chord names have a clean and professional appearance that is well worth the additional money, and you’ll never go back.

How to Tune Your Kalimba

Kalimbas are tuned to a particular key when purchased. Most of the time, they will be tuned to the key of C, but you can always use a tuning hammer to tune your thumb piano. Don’t worry, tuning hammers are typically included with the purchase of a kalimba. On YouTube, Karina Javier has a great video teaching us how to tune our kalimbas.

Last Thoughts

So there you have it: our selection of the finest kalimbas presently on the market. It’s not difficult to choose the finest thumb piano for you. Simply decide early on what you want from your instrument (number of keys, size, tone) and conduct some study using this instructions. We hope we were able to assist you in finding the perfect kalimba for you to enjoy for many years to come.

The Best Kalimba in 2021

What exactly is a Kalimba?