Kalimba

Seven Weeks, Week One: Introducing WA Kalimba – also known as a thumb piano, this instrument has its roots in African music with ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey bringing the instrument to countries abroad in the 20th Century. To add a unique and modern twist we sampled a Hugh Tracey kalimba with nail (performing in a more traditional style where the nail is used on the metal tongues), finger (where the finger tip is used excluding nail, a slightly softer attack is obtained) and the incredible sound of the Kalimba played with a rubber. This results in a soft, rounded sound that works wonderfully with the earthly ring create when performing the instrument. All these samples were then used to create mini performances through a chain of out-board gear to create Moods, consisting of microloops, textures and sonic oddities that add a wealth of potential for the user to create unique sounds and soundscapes.