Kalimba. 31 Easy-to-Play African Songs: SongBook for Beginners

The kalimba or mbira is a traditional and typical African instrument. It consists of metal keys attached by a wooden support structure. Normally, the African mbira has 4-20 keys, but there also exist mbiras with 45 keys. One of the ethnic groups of people of Zimbabwe, the Rosvi, are called "Mbira people".

Any folk song presupposes dance, but in Africa, dance is impossible to separate from a song. Music and dance accompany African birth, growing up, initiation, marriage, the birth of children, death, as well as most social activity, such as hunting, planting, and gathering.

Music is often associated in Africa with magic. As the African proverb says: "the spirit cannot ascend to heaven without a song".

This educational book will help you begin to play music simply and easily. If you are a beginner, playing by notes can be difficult. It is easier to play the finger piano by following numbers.Learn how to play music in a quick and easy way, without knowledge of reading sheet music.Our sheet music is universal and suitable for any 8-, 10- or 17- note kalimbas and mbiras.

Follow the numbers and begin to play

Some melodies might have been changed and simplified to be played in the diatonic range. If your thumb piano has flat keys, it is recommended that you use the classic sheet music for piano.Also, we added a QR code to all songs. You can follow the link and listen to the rhythm before beginning to play.

List of 31 African songs for kalimba: Achta ta ta ta ta. Song from MoroccoAskari Eee. Song from TanzaniaAtadwe. Song from GhanaBanaha. Song from CongoBanuwa. Song from LiberiaBebe Moke. Song from CongoBefore Dinner. Song from CongoChe Che Koolay. Song from GhanaCoco Laye-Laye. Song from CongoDo Do Ki Do. Song from CameroonEh Soom Boo Kawaya. Song from NigeriaFunga Alafia. Song from GhanaKanzenzenze. Song from CongoKotiko. Song from CongoL'abe igi orombo. Song from NigeriaManamolela. Song from South AfricaMayo Nafwa. Song from ZambiaObwisana. Song from GhanaPlouf Tizen Tizen. Song from AlgeriaSansa Kroma. Song from GhanaS linguenia. Song from KenyaShosholoza. Song from South AfricaSindi. Song from Burkina FasoSiyahamba. Song from South AfricaSiyanibingelela. Song from South AfricaStick Passing Song. Song from UgandaUmele. Song from South AfricaWa Wa Wa. Song from CongoWelcome Song. Song from UgandaZimbole. Song from South AfricaZomina. Song from Togo