What do the numbers on kalimba tabs mean?

Numbers 1 through 7 represent the seven notes of the major scale. On a standard C-tuned kalimba, 1 is C, 2 is D, 3 is E, 4 is F, 5 is G, 6 is A, and 7 is B. They are the same degrees used in jianpu (numbered notation).

What do the dots above or below numbers mean?

A dot above a number raises it one octave. A dot below lowers it one octave. No dot means the middle octave. Two dots above or below means two octaves up or down — though most 17-key kalimbas cover only three octaves total.

How do I know which thumb to use for each note?

Tabs do not always tell you. A general rule: alternate left and right thumbs for adjacent notes, and use whichever thumb is closer to the tine you need to play. On a 17-key kalimba, even-positioned tines (counting from center) are usually on the right and odd-positioned on the left.

Why are some numbers underlined in kalimba tabs?

Underlines indicate shorter note durations. A single underline means eighth notes (half a beat each). A double underline means sixteenth notes (quarter of a beat each). No underline means a standard quarter note — one beat.

Can I play guitar tabs on kalimba?

Not directly — guitar tabs encode strings and frets, while kalimba tabs encode scale degrees. You can transcribe a guitar melody by writing down the note names, then finding those notes on your kalimba and writing the corresponding numbers.

Do all kalimbas use the same tabs?

Tabs written for C major work directly on any C-tuned kalimba (8, 10, 15, 17, or 21 keys — as long as the range covers the song's notes). For kalimbas tuned to other keys (G, F, A minor, etc.), the same tab numbers produce the same scale degrees in that key — the tab is transposable by design.

How to Read Kalimba Tabs: Numbered Notation Guide

How to Read Kalimba Tabs: Numbered Notation GuideLearn how to read kalimba tabs — numbered 1-7 notation, dots for octaves, timing symbols, and the most common tab formats. Beginner-friendly guide.