These seven easy kalimba songs can each be learned in about five minutes on a standard 17-key kalimba in C, using simple number tabs. Start with “Twinkle, Twinkle” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, then move to “Ode to Joy”, “Happy Birthday” and “Jingle Bells”. All are traditional or public-domain melodies.
How to read kalimba number tabs
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 = C D E F G A B in the middle octave (the long centre tine is 1).
- 1° 2° 3°… = the same notes one octave higher (shorter tines, marked with one dot on most kalimbas).
- | separates phrases. Hold the last note of a phrase a little longer.
On a 17-key kalimba, notes alternate left and right from the centre: 1 is in the middle, 2 is just right of it, 3 just left, and so on. The stickers or engraved numbers on your tines match these tabs.
1. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
1 1 5 5 6 6 5 | 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 | 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 | 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 | 1 1 5 5 6 6 5 | 4 4 3 3 2 2 1
Uses only the seven middle notes. Perfect first song.
2. Mary Had a Little Lamb
3 2 1 2 3 3 3 | 2 2 2 | 3 5 5 | 3 2 1 2 3 3 3 3 | 2 2 3 2 1
3. Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
3 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 | 1 1 2 3 3 2 2 | 3 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 | 1 1 2 3 2 1 1
Play the second-to-last note of each line slightly longer for the classic rhythm.
4. Happy Birthday
5 5 6 5 1° 7 | 5 5 6 5 2° 1° | 5 5 5° 3° 1° 7 6 | 4° 4° 3° 1° 2° 1°
The third line jumps to the high G (5°), the short tine far out on one side.
5. Jingle Bells (chorus)
3 3 3 | 3 3 3 | 3 5 1 2 3 | 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 5 | 3 3 3 | 3 3 3 | 3 5 1 2 3 | 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 5 5 4 2 1
6. Amazing Grace
5 1° 3° 1° 3° 2° 1° 6 5 | 5 1° 3° 1° 3° 2° 5° | 3° 5° 3° 5° 3° 1° 5 6 1° 1° 6 5 | 5 1° 3° 1° 3° 2° 1°
A slow waltz feel: count 1-2-3 and let notes ring.
7. Frère Jacques
1 2 3 1 | 1 2 3 1 | 3 4 5 | 3 4 5 | 5 6 5 4 3 1 | 5 6 5 4 3 1 | 1 5 1 | 1 5 1
The last line normally drops to a low G, which a 17-key C kalimba doesn’t have, so we use the middle G instead.
Tips for sounding good fast
- Use the side of your thumbnail, flicking the tine near its tip for a clear tone.
- Alternate thumbs. Notes on the left use the left thumb, right side the right thumb.
- Slow down. Play each song at half speed until the order is automatic.
- Let it ring. Don’t rest your thumbs on the tines between notes.
- Tune first. Use a tuner app; tap a tine slightly toward you to lower the pitch, away to raise it, using the small hammer that comes with most kalimbas.
Which kalimba should you use?
A 17-key kalimba in C plays every song here. Smaller 8- or 10-key kalimbas cover only the simplest tunes. If you don’t have one yet, see 17-key kalimbas, and read kalimba vs mbira for the instrument’s background.
What to learn next
- Try playing two tines at once (1 and 3, or 1 and 5) for simple harmonies.
- Add a gentle vibrato by covering and uncovering the sound hole on the back.
- Compare the kalimba with the tongue drum and handpan in our calm instruments guide.
