Explorations of World Music & Dance with Tim Gregory
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Instrument-Making Photo Tutorials:
Hairpin Kalimba
Safety First!
The construction of these instruments requires tools which may cause injury if used incorrectly. Adult supervision and or previous tool training is mandatory.
A kalimba is a type of ideophone that has been played in Sub-Saharan Africa for hundreds of years. There are many indigenous names for this instrument sometimes called a thumb piano or finger harp in English. Kalimba is a popular South African name. They can be made from a variety of resources. This model uses wood and metal, including hairpins as the tongues, or the part that you pluck with your thumbs.
Please note that this model has a fairly high level of construction detail. Instructions for an easy model immediately follows.
Supplies you will need
Body: 6in. piece of 1in. X 5in. lumber. Pine works great.
Bridge: 4in. piece of 3/8in. dowel
4in. piece of 1 1/8in. lattice or paint stick
4in. piece of 1/8in. square dowel
2 8/32 machine screws with wing nuts
3 extra long hairpins
sandpaper
wood glue
paint or stain (optional)
Tools you will need
saw, vice, ruler, pliers, wire cutters, drill with 11/64 bit,
wood burner (optional)
Please note: Consider making your kalimba with a group of 5 – 6 friends. It will be more economical since many of the supplies listed come in large lengths and quantities.
A panpipe is a bamboo aerophone that can be found in many world cultures. Since bamboo is becoming scarce in some regions of the world, it is not uncommon to find them made from plastic. The following instructions are for a cvpc panpipe, tuned to a C major scale.
Supplies you will need
-36in. piece of cpvc
-8 15mm puppet eyes
(available in most craft stores)
-4 jumbo wooden craft sticks
sandpaper
-mounting tape
-glue, suitable for plastic surfaces
-spray paint & dowel – both optional
Tools you will need
Pipe cutter, scissors, ruler with 1/16in. markings