Seeds Kalimba 34 Key Chromatic Thumb Piano Pisces C-Tuned,Double Layer Flat Board Black Walnut Musical Instruments Gift Idea for Children Adults Beginners and Professionals

Buying an oddball instrument like an allegedly chromatic kalimba off the internet, sight unseen, is always something of a risky proposition. This instrument was a bit of a nice surprise, but a few small changes would make it a much better instrument.The pros:* Nicely made: smooth polished wood; bright, shiny plated tines* (Some) Chromatic pitches available* (Some) ties are labeled (numbered)* (Mostly) standard layout makes it fairly easy to learn the basics* Sweet tone* Nice, solid hand-feel* Comes with case(es)* and accessories, including a tuning hammerThe cons:* The instrument is not fully chromatic; chromatic pitches aren't available for the lowest octave* Layout of the accidentals is non-standard; basically for every lower tine from the 2nd octave up, the upper tine is the sharp of that note -- even when it's an enharmonic like B# or E#. This takes some getting used to.* The lower diatonic tines are numbered, but oddly, the upper chromatic tines are not. Considering it's the chromatic tines that make the instrument non-standard, /those/ are the ones you really need numbered or at least identified in some visual way. Numbers on the lower tines are unnecessary -- they're set in a standard diatonic treble kalimba configuration.* This instrument is unresonated. Instead of a hollow resonating box, the tines are attached to a piece of solid wood, so the sound is VERY quiet, indeed. This is a major drawback for me -- so much so that I may build a resonating box and transfer the tine assembly from this instrument to it, so I can actually HEAR what I'm playing.One strange thing is that the instrument came with /two/ cases. a small, form-fitting case held the actual kalimba, and that was inside another form-fitting case which held the kalimba and the first case. Not complaining about this; it just seemed . . . odd.Anyway, this could be a great instrument if a few things were changed:1) Mount the tines on a resonating box, instead of a solid board, to give it some volume2) Number (or better yet, put the *pitch names*) on ALL of the tines; not just the diatonic notes.3) Maybe make the layout more similar to a keyboard (sharps & flats /between/ appropriate diatonic pitches) and leave out teh enharmonic duplicates.4) Perhaps make it fully chromatic.I'd say if they did #1 and #2, it would be a 5-start instrument. #3 and #4 would be icing on the cake.Bottom line:All things considered, though, I felt it was a worthwhile purchase, and it certainly couldn't hurt to try it out.

Love, love , love my kalimba. I am totally new to this instrument. When I first decided to get one the options are overwhelming, I watched lots of YouTube videos read descriptions and reviews from multiple websites not just amazon. Finally decided on the Seeds Pisces model so I could use the bottom keys like a basic model but have the upper keys to grow.When it arrived I had a moment of regret; the intrument needed tuning, which is totally understandable when you take storage and shipping into account. I did struggle through and am just that much more comfortable with my instrument because of it.I have only had it a short time now but do love it. It is very relaxing. Easy to learn some basic songs quickly which is very encouraging to every age student, while you work on more difficult pieces.Small enough to take with you most places to pull out when you have a few minutes.

Sounds OK. But it has an annoying echo. I have 5 other kalimbas and none have an echo sound. Also, it came out of tune all my tuners shoe the keys are off enouph for me to adjust already. The book it came with has no instructions on tuning this type of kalima. And the book has song with notation. I've never seen before anywhere. And again zero instructions. I'm frustrated and for a hundred dollars I expect more support than a flimsy book of men songs and no instructions on how to read it. There is very little online about the chromatic kalimba except how to spend money on one. If you are advanced and know music theory or making your own songs this may be a good novelty item. But if not good luck finding songs to play and any help when you have questions. Really, U should have saved all the money I spent on kalimbas and bought a decent keyboard or digital piano.

I bought this because I wanted to play more notes than what the 17 key kalimba offered. The tone of this one is so off from my other kalimba, I'm not sure if it's out of tune, or just duller. I'm not very musically inclined, but when I play a note on my other kalimba, I recognize that is how it should sound, but not on this one. The keys are stiffer and hard to pluck. The description said the letters and notes were engraved on the keys, but they are not. It only has the numbers on the bottom keys, and only four keys on the top are numbered. The sound of this one is disappointing compared to my other kalimba.

Look at the tines. One is too short and out of reach. Another too long.100$ for an unusable instrument. Lousy quality control, low standards. Lesson learned

Elle est belle, mais ca s'arrête la, les touches *34 lames) sont difficilles a bien faire sonner et les aigus peu ou pas de son. Je ne racheterai pas Seeds.

I think it’s not genuine product not happy

Beautifully crafter Kalimba! The sound is marvelous. Very happy with it.