To play the kalimba, place your thumb on its tine and, using your nail, gently pluck it downwards to generate a clean sound.

The tines are labeled with different numbers or letters indicating each key. There will be numbers repeated on different tines. These repeated numbers or letters can be differentiated by dots. There will be more dots on higher keys and less dots on the lower keys. So to read number notations, we just have to pluck the number that is indicated. Number inside a parenthesis “( )” should be plucked at the same time.

1: Download a Tuner

You can use a real tuner or download an App.

Android system app: gStrings

Apple system app: Instuner

2. Tune with hammer

Pluck each tine individually and hammer the tine up or down to match it to the correct pitch. If you’re using an electric tuner (or a online tuner app on your phone), turn it on and hold it close enough to the kalimba so it can pick up enough sound. Pluck the tine repeatedly and hammer it up or down until it matches the pitch as closely as possible.

• If you’re sharp (too high) lower the note by hammering the tine downward, making it lower, until you get it to the proper pitch.

• If you’re flat (too low) then you need to raise the note by hammering the tine upwards, making the note higher. Keep hammering the tine until you reach the proper pitch.

• You can also match the kalimba itself, to a piano, or any other instrument to match the pitch. If you’re playing the kalimba, for example, ask for the middle C and adjust the tuning of middle tine until you’ve matched the pitch.