Kalimba. 31 Easy-to-Play African Songs

Book excerpt: 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 classic sheet music for the 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 Morocco Askari Eee. Song from Tanzania Atadwe. Song from Ghana Banaha. Song from Congo Banuwa. Song from Liberia Bebe Moke. Song from Congo Before Dinner. Song from Congo Che Che Koolay. Song from Ghana Coco Laye-Laye. Song from Congo Do Do Ki Do. Song from Cameroon Eh Soom Boo Kawaya. Song from Nigeria Funga Alafia. Song from Ghana Kanzenzenze. Song from Congo Kotiko. Song from Congo L'abe igi orombo. Song from Nigeria Manamolela. Song from South Africa Mayo Nafwa. Song from Zambia Obwisana. Song from Ghana Plouf Tizen Tizen. Song from Algeria Sansa Kroma. Song from Ghana Sélinguenia. Song from Kenya Shosholoza. Song from South Africa Sindi. Song from Burkina Faso Siyahamba. Song from South Africa Siyanibingelela. Song from South Africa Stick Passing Song. Song from Uganda Umele. Song from South Africa Wa Wa Wa. Song from Congo Welcome Song. Song from Uganda Zimbole. Song from South Africa Zomina. Song from Togo