Russian
Modern marketing offers plenty of bundles full of accessories. For a beginner who has not yet experienced the differences between instruments, each extra item can seem almost as important as the kalimba itself.
“Kalimba on its own” = “1 item”
“Kalimba with hammer, cloth and stickers” = “4 items”
Four must be four times better than one!
This can turn choosing an instrument into counting extras, with good kalimbas losing out to “complete sets”. It also leads to endless questions about whether this or that accessory is included.
Here is the secret: none of those extras is essential.
- A tuning hammer is the most sought-after example. Yes, it can tune a kalimba, but it is not the only tool that can, nor necessarily the most convenient. Other everyday objects can work better.
- Note stickers: see our answer about labelled notes.
- A bag: the thin cloth pouches supplied with many bundles offer little practical protection, despite giving that impression.
- A cleaning cloth: ...!!!...
- Example tunes and tablature: we encourage intuitive learning on the kalimba. If you want a systematic musical education, consider piano lessons, music school or a proper textbook. Much of the kalimba's appeal is its simplicity: relax and enjoy it.
Less wrapping, more sound!