Play without theory -
How to read Kalimba Tabs

When you are not familiar with musical instruments, some aspects can seem complicated.

Fortunately, there is a way to play your favorite music without knowing the theory.

This method is by reading Kalimba Tabs, a type of simplified music sheet used to easily learn and play the Kalimba.

1. The basic questions

What is a Kalimba Tab?

The tablature or tab is a simplified music sheet, i.e. :

The notes and their measures will not be displayed on the tab (sometimes yes), but the tablature will directly display the notes to be played on the corresponding keys of the instrument by means of an annotated graphic.

The reading is even easier with the tabs accompanied by a graphic. By the way, this kind of Tabs for Kalimba is coming soon on Pawpaw.

How to read tablature at Kalimba?

It really is very simple, although it can be confusing at first glance.

The model Kalimba to 17 Keys will be used in the example, because the tabs apply to all models Kalimba, with the only difference being the number of Keys.

This graphic represents a system of annotated tablatures, it even has the type of note (quarter notes, half eighth notes, etc.).

The part below the tablature represents your 17-Key system, with its notes and number (C4 for example).

The reading is done by progressing from the bottom to the top.

To play this tablature, just follow the black dots. To play in time, listen again to the original version of the music you have decided to learn in order to better understand its melody!

Here is one more acquired basis.

You can now play the music you prefer. Tabs are easily found on the internet and soon, on Pawpaw.ch !