Kalimba or Calimba. Musical instrument spread throughout the African continent. It receives different names, according to the countries and peoples: malimba, mbira, kisaanji, likembe, sanza...
Kalimba or Calimba. Musical instrument spread throughout the African continent. It receives different names, according to the countries and peoples: malimba, mbira, kisaanji, likembe, sanza...
This idiophone has a set of plates of different lengths and materials, hard but flexible, like those made of metal or cane. They are fixed to a bridge at one end, and the other is free, so that they produce sounds when pressed with the fingers at the free ends. The dimensions of the plates determine the frequencies at which they can vibrate, which translates into the different notes they can give. Thus, varying the pitch or tuning the instrument is equivalent to lengthening or shortening the length of the plates.
The soundboard in which the bridge is embedded can have many shapes and be made of different materials. In the case of the photograph, the box is made of wood and the metal sheets.
It is held with both hands and touched with the thumbs.
Measures:17x15cm
The design may vary from the photograph.
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