Russian
Making a sound
Hold the kalimba in both hands, without resting it on a surface. Use your thumbnails to press the tines down and let each thumb slide off so that the tine springs back. Aim for a quick, light, brushing movement so the tine does not buzz against your nail. For a clear sound and accurate plucking, grow your nails a little and keep their shape tidy. A comfortable length lets the nail do most of the work while the fingertip just feels the contact.
Pay attention to how hard you pluck: this controls the volume and gives your playing expression.
Music
If you have never played an instrument, a few simple tips and exercises can make intuitive learning more effective.
The sounds in a piece of music differ from random sounds because they are organised. The first essential step from sounds to music is placing them accurately in time: rhythm.
Start as simply as possible: play evenly with a metronome (M), using one note and only your right thumb (R).
| M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
Then use only your left thumb (L).
| M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
| L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L |
Then alternate the two.
| M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
| R | L | R | L | R | L | R | L |
Next, keep the beat while inventing different combinations using just two notes.
| M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
| R | L | L | R | R | L | L | L |
This alone is a worthwhile exercise: every sound you play helps you develop.
At the same time, start thinking about pitch. Repeat the exercises on different tines, inventing, repeating and remembering combinations. Each pattern that becomes automatic adds to your musical vocabulary.
The next step is rests. They can matter even more than the notes! Over time, you will hear the melody in your head and be able to play, or leave out, any part of it without losing your place.
| M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
| R | L | R | L | L |
Next, divide the time between metronome clicks into equal parts. Play your own notes EVENLY within each beat.
| M | M | M | M | ||||
| R | L | L | R | R | L | L |
| M | M | M | ||||||
| R | L | R | L | R | L | R | L | R |
Try all these rhythms in different ways, including without the kalimba: tap, speak or whistle them. You will begin to feel that music exists in its own right, and the instrument is simply a way of expressing it. ;)
Simple coordination exercises
You can play with alternating thumbs, with both together, or in more complex combinations. These examples help develop the basic skills.
1. Alternate L R L L R L R R and R L R R L R L L.
2. Play two notes together. First explore the possible pairs and listen to how each sounds. Then use them to play a rhythm. Tap it (tap – tap – tap-tap-tap) or say it (ta – ta – ta-ta-ta). Play it with one thumb on one note (C C CCC), then with two thumbs on one pair of notes, for example [CD] [CD] [CD][CD][CD]. Next, distribute the same rhythm across different notes (C D CCC). Finally, keep the rhythm while changing the note pattern (C D CCC D C CDC).
3. Play together and in sequence. With one hand, repeat one note steadily, like a metronome, or at two or four notes per beat. With the other, try playing a rhythm or melody at the same time.
| L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L |
| R | R | R | R |
| L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L |
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| L | L | L | L | ||||
| R | R | R | R |
Check your progress
To check that you are doing the exercises correctly, share a recording here: https://vk.com/topic-146264279_41230801.