Welcome to the official site of the Australian distributor of the

Hugh Tracey KALIMBA

Kalimba Karisma is run by musicians passionate about world and traditional music. World music has exploded in popularity in Australia over the past decade. Mush of this interest has been inspired by the warm lively sounds produced by authentic traditional instruments such as the Kalimba

The Kalimba was developed in the 1950’s by pioneering musicologist Hugh Tracey. Inspired by the mibra or thumb piano which Tracey first heard in Zambabwe in 1920’s He loved its originality its companionship and the fascination of its crossing finger and sound patterns. For him, the essence of African music was encapsulated in this small, lively instrument that fitted comfortably into your hands. Wanting to share this discovery, in 1950’s he developed his own version, the Kalimba and tuned it to the western scale to enable musicians all over the world  to enjoy the instrument

Kalimbas are tuned to a diatonic scale of G major although they can be tuned to any key.

They come with instrument cards giving hints on tuning, melody and cord playing. The body is made, like the African originals from resonant kiaat wood and keys which you pluck with your thumbs are high quality spring steel. I can also be played solo or accompanied and its clear tone holds its own remarkably well against voices or other instruments. It is the ideal portable instrument for use at home, school, in formal and informal music groups, for music therapy at camps while hitchhiking or sick in bed the list just goes on and on.