Play Online Kalimba - Thumb Piano
Play a free online kalimba (thumb piano) directly in your browser. Tap the metal tines to create soft, relaxing melodies with realistic kalimba sounds. Choose between beginner-friendly 10-key and standard 17-key layouts, switch tunings, add reverb, and record your performance instantly. Works on mobile and desktop — no download or sign-up needed.
💻 Keyboard: 10 tine: A S D F G H J K L ; | 17 tine: Q W E R T Y U I O A S D F G H J K
Screen Recording
Record your performance and download it as a WebM video.
Ready to record screen.
✅ How to Use the Virtual Kalimba
- Tap any tine to play it. On desktop, use keyboard keys shown on the tines.
- Switch between 10 tine (beginner) and 17 tine (standard) modes using the buttons above.
- Change the Tuning to play in different keys — C Major is the most common.
- Toggle Reverb on for a warm, resonant sound — off for a drier, cleaner tone.
- Use the Screen Recorder: press Start Recording, choose the screen to capture, press Stop Recording, then Download.
How It Works
Each tine is synthesised using the Web Audio API. A short sine-wave burst with inharmonic overtones mimics the metallic resonance of a real kalimba tine, followed by a natural exponential decay of 3–4 seconds. A synthetic reverb impulse response adds room ambience. The screen recorder timestamps each note as you play, then replays them with exact timing using the Web Audio clock — so the loop stays perfectly in time. All processing runs locally in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kalimba?
A kalimba (also called thumb piano or mbira) is a small African instrument with metal tines of different lengths mounted on a wooden board. You pluck the tines with your thumbs. It produces a soft, bell-like tone and is one of the easiest instruments to learn.
What is the difference between 10 and 17 tines?
A 10-tine kalimba usually uses a compact beginner-friendly pentatonic layout, making simple melodies and improvisation easier. A 17-tine covers two and a half octaves and is the standard for playing complete songs. Both use the same alternating left-right tine layout.
Why are the tines arranged in a zigzag pattern?
On a real kalimba, notes alternate between the left and right thumb as you move outward from centre. This means ascending notes zigzag left-right, which feels natural when playing with both thumbs. This virtual kalimba mirrors that layout exactly.
How long can I record?
Record until you stop sharing or press Stop Recording. The screen recorder saves your performance as a WebM video for download.
What do the tuning options mean?
Each tuning shifts all tines to a different key. C Major is the standard factory tuning for most kalimbas. G Major is common for folk and Celtic sounds. A Minor gives a more melancholy, emotional quality. All tunings use the same finger positions — the key just changes.
Can I use a computer keyboard to play?
Yes — keyboard keys are shown on each tine. The layout maps naturally to the alternating tine pattern so you can play melodies without looking.
17-Tine Note Layout (C Major)
Tines are numbered from centre outward, alternating left and right.
| Position | Side | Note | Solfège (C=Do) | Octave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (centre) | — | C | Do | 4 |
| 2 | Right | D | Re | 4 |
| 3 | Left | E | Mi | 4 |
| 4 | Right | F | Fa | 4 |
| 5 | Left | G | Sol | 4 |
| 6 | Right | A | La | 4 |
| 7 | Left | B | Ti | 4 |
| 8 | Right | C | Do | 5 |
| 9 | Left | D | Re | 5 |
Pattern continues outward up to E6 on the 17-tine version.
References & Notes
- Standard 17-tine kalimba tuned to C Major (Hugh Tracey layout)
- Audio synthesis via Web Audio API — no sound files required
- Solfège mapping: C = Do (relative, not fixed pitch)
- screen recorder uses Web Audio clock for sample-accurate timing
This is a simulation tool for learning and entertainment.