The summary of ‘What is a Kalimba?’

This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.

00:00:0000:11:26

The video explores the history and evolution of the kalimba, a musical instrument originating from the Shona people in Zimbabwe. Introduced by Andrew Helbig, it discusses how the kalimba evolved from the mabira with metal tines, spread across Africa, and was popularized by Hugh Tracy outside the continent. Tracy's experimentation with materials and tunings led to the modern kalimba design, allowing for easy chord playing. The kalimba's versatility is highlighted, mentioning its use in various cultures for different purposes and its unique sound due to inharmonic overtones. The video also touches on playing techniques like producing wawa sounds and emphasizes the importance of embracing both traditional and innovative approaches for a richer kalimba experience. Additional information is included on percussions by Danilo Mora, with a message thanking viewers for watching.

00:00:00

In this part of the video, Andrew Helbig introduces the kalimba, a musical instrument based off of the mabira, originating from the Shona people of Zimbabwe around 3,000 years ago. The mabira was reinvented around 1,300 years ago during the iron age, with metal tines replacing bamboo ones. The instrument spread across Africa, leading to diverse versions created by various clans and tribes. The kalimba consists of a wooden board with metal tines, played by plucking with the thumbs and possibly other fingers. Musicologists classify the kalimba as a lamellophone, known for its characteristic sound due to inharmonic overtones.

00:03:00

In this segment of the video, the focus is on Hugh Tracy’s contribution to popularizing the kalimba outside of Africa. Tracy and his wife collected and recorded various music from southern and central Africa from the 1920s to the 1970s. Tracy adapted the design of the mabira to create the kalimba, experimenting with different materials and tunings. The modern kalimba tuning typically has the middle tine as the lowest note, allowing for easy chord playing. Various types of kalimbas exist, including treble, celeste, alto, pentatonic, and chromatic kalimbas. Additionally, different modifications, such as adding buzzers for a rattling sound, can be made to influence the instrument’s tone, similar to traditional African music.

00:06:00

In this segment of the video, it is mentioned that any kalimba with a sound hole can produce a wawa or vibrato sound by quickly covering and uncovering it after hitting a note. The narrator highlights the historical significance and versatility of the kalimba, including its use in different cultures for various purposes like daily activities, celebrations, accompanying voices, and connecting with ancestors. The segment concludes with a message of embracing both traditional and innovative approaches in playing the kalimba for a richer experience.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the percussion in Rovan Gomo Matwasa was performed by Danilo Mora. Viewers are encouraged to check out his Fiverr gig in the video description. The video concludes with a message of thanks for watching and a promise to see viewers next time.

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