In a hurry?

Here are our top three easy kalimba songs to get you started:

1. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver
2. “Edelweiss” – The Sound of Music
3. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
4. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
5. “Amazing Grace”

What is a kalimba?

A kalimba is a Westernised version of the mbira, a traditional African lamellophone instrument. It’s made up of one row of thin metal tongues, a slight variation of the mbira, which has two rows, and a resonating board. Some are flat, without a soundhole, and others are box-shaped instruments with a soundhole. There can also be two holes at the back that create a “wah” effect when covered or uncovered.

The instrument is also known as a “thumb piano”, as it’s played by thumbs plucking the metal/split cane keys. Pressing one of these tongues creates a ringing sound that resonates through the wooden body. It’s pretty easy to learn to play, and as it’s such a portable instrument, you can practise anywhere!

The 17-key kalimba is a great starting point for beginners. It provides enough metal tongues (or tines) for all the entry-level pieces of music you’ll be learning, as well as more intermediate songs. We recommend the Gear4music Life Kalimba, available in walnut or mahogany. It comes with a protective case and tuning hammer and has holes in the back for those “wah” noises.

Easy kalimba songs

1. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver

A country classic that’s also featured on our list of easy country guitar songs, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a great first song to learn on the kalimba. It’s slow and steady and has a simple, repetitive melody that makes it super easy to pick up. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser – everyone knows it, and it’s fun to play along with friends or just relax and strum solo.

2. “Edelweiss” – Richard Rodgers for The Sound of Music

Soft and sentimental, “Edelweiss” is a beautiful introduction to melody-focused playing on the kalimba. Originating from The Sound of Music, this is another slow song, giving you time to learn each note, practise note transitions, and express feeling through the melody. There are no complex patterns or advanced techniques, just gentle, flowing tones that work brilliantly with the kalimba’s sweet, delicate sound.

3. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles

“Here Comes the Sun” is a perfect, cheerful Beatles classic to play on the kalimba. It’s a step up from basic nursery rhymes, but it’s still great for beginners – you’ll get to practise simple fingerpicking patterns and smooth transitions without feeling overwhelmed.

4. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

If you’re new to the kalimba, practising a few basic children’s songs is a great way to get to know the instrument, how it’s played, and how it feels before moving on to more advanced repertoire.

“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” has simple, repeating patterns and is perfect for practising simple melodies and finger coordination. Plus, the soft, bell-like tone of the kalimba gives the melody a soothing, lullaby-like quality.

5. “Amazing Grace”

If you’re looking for a calm, meaningful song to learn on the kalimba, “Amazing Grace” is a beautiful option. It’s perfect for practising smooth transitions and controlled playing. The kalimba’s soft, mellow sound really brings out the emotional depth of this timeless tune.

6. “Kumbaya”

“Kumbaya” is slow, well-known, and very simple to learn. The phrase “kumbaya” means “come by here” in the Gullah culture, and the song is believed to have originated among African American communities in the southeastern United States during the early 20th century. It later became popular as a spiritual and folk tune.

The song is an easy way to get comfortable with basic note patterns and timing. The repetitive phrases are perfect for beginners.

7. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley

It’s no surprise that Elvis Presley’s romantic ballad “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has a dreamy, elegant feel; the melody is actually based on a classical piece called “Plaisir d’amour”. It’s gentle and manageable, with a slow tempo and predictable note patterns that are great for building finger coordination and control.

8. “Let It Be” – The Beatles

“Let It Be” is one of those songs that feels comforting the moment you hear it, and that makes it a great choice for kalimba beginners. Released by The Beatles in 1970, the song’s slow pace and steady rhythm are easy to follow, with simple note sequences that build confidence as you go. You won’t need to master any tricky fingerwork, but you will probably find yourself singing along!

9. “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong

The melody of “What a Wonderful World” is slow and unhurried. Like “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, this Louis Armstrong classic lets you focus on tone and expression. And with the kalimba’s naturally warm, gentle sound, each note captures the song’s emotional depth.

10. “Happy Birthday”

It’s a good idea to have “Happy Birthday” in your back pocket – after all, you’ll likely get the chance to play it for friends or family at some point. The melody is short and familiar, which makes it ideal if you’re getting used to finger placement and tine spacing.

11. “Hedwig’s Theme” – John Williams for Harry Potter

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll want to learn the magical “Hedwig’s Theme” on the kalimba. Composed by the legendary John Williams, this whimsical melody is full of charm and sounds beautiful on the kalimba’s soft, chime-like tones. While it’s a small step up in difficulty, it’s a great way to challenge yourself a bit. You’ll get to practise timing, light jumps between notes, and dynamics to make the melody come alive.

12. “Für Elise” – Beethoven

If you’re just starting out on the kalimba but want to try a classical piece of music, “Für Elise” is a fun first step. This iconic melody by Beethoven might sound complex at first, but the opening theme – what most people recognise – is surprisingly easy. You’ll be working with simple note sequences and patterns that repeat, which makes it straightforward to memorise and play.

13. “Moon River” – Henry Mancini for Breakfast at Tiffany’s

“Moon River” is a dreamy, romantic tune that fits the kalimba’s mellow sound beautifully, and it’s a great choice if you’re a beginner looking for something slow and expressive. Written by Henry Mancini and famously sung by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the song has a gentle, flowing melody that gives you plenty of time to find each note.

14. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Harold Arlen for The Wizard of Oz

If you want a calm, soothing song to learn on the kalimba, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is a beautiful pick. Originally written by Harold Arlen for The Wizard of Oz in 1939, this classic tune has a gentle melody that’s great for practising fluidity in your playing.

It includes some wider intervals than our other suggestions on this list, but navigating these notes and becoming familiar with the tines is a key part of progressing on the kalimba.

15. “You Are My Sunshine”

“You Are My Sunshine” is a cheerful, easy-going tune. Originally recorded in the late 1930s and later made famous by various country and folk artists, the song’s bright, repetitive melody makes it a breeze to learn. It’s a feel-good song that’s always fun to play.

16. “Too Sweet” – Hozier

If you’re after more of a modern song to add to your repertoire, “Too Sweet” by Hozier is a great choice. Released in 2024, the song quickly became popular for its catchy tune and soulful feel. On the kalimba, the melody can be simplified, allowing you to focus on clean note transitions and timing.

17. “Save Your Tears” – The Weeknd

Another contemporary hit, “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd is a solid song choice for early kalimba players. It blends a retro ’80s-inspired vibe with a simple, catchy melody that works really well on the kalimba. Most of the tune follows a repetitive structure, making it easy to learn and satisfying to practise.

18. “Yesterday” – The Beatles

A Beatles classic, “Yesterday” is one of the most covered songs in history – and the kalimba is no exception to the instruments it can be performed on. If you’re in the mood for something soft and reflective, this is a beautiful song pick. The phrasing flows naturally, so you can ease into the notes without rushing.

While it may introduce a few new patterns, they’re simple enough to pick up with a bit of practice. Plus, it just sounds gorgeous on the kalimba’s delicate tones.

19. “Ode to Joy” – Beethoven

“Ode to Joy” is a fantastic starting point for kalimba beginners – it’s upbeat, easy to follow, and instantly recognisable. With a repetitive note structure that helps build familiarity with tine spacing and basic finger movement, this is a very satisfying and fairly straightforward song to learn.

20. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” – Solomon Linda

If you’re looking for something playful, rhythmic, and catchy, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” is a great pick for your kalimba repertoire. Originally composed by Solomon Linda in the 1930s, it was later made famous worldwide through various covers. The chorus is especially fun to play and sounds bright and bouncy on the kalimba.

21. “Auld Lang Syne”

“Auld Lang Syne” works beautifully on the kalimba. Traditionally sung to mark the end of the year, the song has Scottish origins and was popularised by poet Robert Burns in the late 1700s. Its slow, flowing melody gives you plenty of time to find each note and focus on smooth transitions.

Top tips for learning the kalimba

1. Familiarise yourself with the kalimba

Kalimbas come with varying numbers of keys, ranging from eight to 32. Of course, the more keys you have, the more complex pieces of music you can play.

However, for beginners, we recommend the 17-key kalimba as it provides enough scope to learn basic and intermediate pieces of music, but not too much that it’s overwhelming.

Get to know the kalimba before you dive into your music. Get a feel of the keys, the spacing between them, and the weight of the instruments in your hands.

2. Practise scales

It might seem boring, but learning a few scales can really help you get comfortable with playing the kalimba and make all future songs in your repertoire easier to learn. Think of scales as the building blocks of music.

3. Play slowly to begin with

To master any piece of music, no matter how basic or complex, you need to give yourself time to learn. Be patient and get to grips with each note very slowly. Once you’ve perfected the thumb placements and the order of notes, you can start to speed up the tempo.

FAQs

Is playing the kalimba easy?

The kalimba is fairly easy to play, courtesy of its simple layout and handheld design. However, the more keys you get and the more complex pieces of music you learn, the harder the instrument is to play.

Is a 17-key kalimba good?

A 17-key kalimba is ideal for beginners and intermediate players. It gives you a good range of notes, yet not too many that it’s overcomplicated. Plus, as it’s a very common type of kalimba, you’ll find loads of finishes and styles out there.

Can I learn kalimba on my own?

You can learn kalimba on your own, and in fact, it’s possibly one of the easiest instruments you can do this with. As the instrument is simply held in your hand and the keys are strook with your thumbs, it’s instantly satisfying and fun to play.

Final thoughts

If you want to pick up a new skill, music can be one of the most rewarding new ventures. And if you want something easy and portable to play, the kalimba is a fantastic option.

There are loads of easy kalimba songs out there that will keep you engaged and motivated to learn more, and with a 17-key instrument, you’ll have just right scope to learn the beginner songs on this list and intermediate pieces.