While kalimba is not the hardest instrument you can learn, it can be difficult for beginners. But why would you learn by yourself when you can find simple tutorials and ktabs?
The list here will help you along the way, and it covers popular and easy songs that are perfect for anyone looking to improve their playing skills.
Under The Sea
You probably remember Little Mermaid and the song sung by Sebastian. But even if you don’t, here is a great opportunity to remind yourself.
Under the sea is easy to play, and you won’t need to spend hours learning it. Since this song is perfect for beginners, you can start slow, and work your way up until you can play it on speed.
My Heart Will Go On – Céline Dion
Titanic made an impact when it arrived in 1997, and you must have heard this one before. The song is catchy, and it’s easy to play. Don’t let it fool you, though.
This version for kalimba has two instruments playing. While you can learn both, you can focus only on the one with ktabs.
You Are My Sunshine
Another simple song you can try is “You are my sunshine.” You won’t need to practice this song much, and you probably already know how easy it is.
This is why it’s perfect for anyone who is just starting their kalimba journey and learning their place around tines. It is especially convenient if you have 17-key kalimba since this song will allow you to play it perfectly in just a few tries.
Rolling In The Deep – Adele
Now this song is a bit more complex but it is still something you can learn to play even if you are a beginner.
The song focuses on vocals, so you won’t have to worry about the instruments playing it. It is a nice tune, and we all remember how popular this song was a couple of years ago.
Careless Whisper – George Michael
Careless Whisper is evergreen. The song was released in 1984 by Wham!, and it quickly became a hit. What is more important, the song is not so difficult to play, and you will have tons of fun learning it.
Even though the legendary saxophone plays the intro, you can make it sound a bit more unique with your kalimba.
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd is one of the most emotional and recognizable songs in rock music. Interestingly, the song isn’t losing at all if you play it on kalimba instead of guitar.
However, this is not the easiest song on the list, and you might need to practice it a bit to perfect each part of the song. But you can make it!
Seven Nation Army – White Stripes
This legendary song by Jack White is easy to play on any instrument. Many recommend learning it if you are a beginner guitar player.
Similarly, you can learn it on kalimba in no time. The song is fun to play, and you will improve your skills on the thumb piano.
Harry Potter – Theme
It almost seems like John Williams wrote this song for kalimba. Harry Potter theme is one of the easiest and recognizable themes you can learn, and playing it on kalimba sounds especially good.
If you grew up reading about the adventures of this famous wizard, you will enjoy revisiting it with your beloved instrument.
Bring Me To Life – Evanescence
Evanescence and Amy Lee made quite an impact on the entire world in 2003 with their song Bring me to life. It seems impossible that you never heard this one, and playing it on kalimba should be your next goal.
But beware, this song is not the easiest one, and you might need a bit of practice to nail every note down.
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
Even though Jeff Buckley died young, he still managed to leave so many incredible songs. One of the most famous songs by this incredible artist is Hallelujah.
There is a chance that you heard some of the versions, but here, we will talk about the original. The song is fun, emotional, and easy to play. So grab your kalimba, and start practicing.
How Deep Is Your Love – Bee Gees
Bee Gees were big in the seventies and How deep is your love is just one of their many hits. This song is among easier ones on the list, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t need to practice it.
However, you won’t need to spend hours, and you’ll probably master it quite fast.
Carry On My Wayward Son – Kansas
Though you might think that this song is difficult to play, you should know that this version focuses on vocals and the main theme, so you won’t have to worry about heavy guitar riffs.
One of the legendary songs by Kansas can be your next song to practice, and you will undoubtedly have so much fun learning it.
Castle In The Sky
No, this isn’t The Castle on the Cloud from Les Misérables, but the theme song from Castle in the Sky film from 1986. The song is incredibly fun to play, and it’s perfect for beginners.
However, even if you are not a beginner you can still have a lot of fun learning it. The theme song is beautiful, and the real name of the song is Carrying You.
Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
Any list without Elvis on it is not really a good list. This classic is one of the most recognizable songs by Elvis, and there are so many covers available. The song was originally released in 1961, but it still sounds incredible after all these years.
Furthermore, the song is in the “easy” category, so you probably won’t have any trouble learning it.
La Vie En Rose – Édith Piaf
The song had many interpretations since it was initially released in 1947. Besides Édith Piaf, there is a version by Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Donna Summer, and many more.
Now, you can make your own version using kalimba and these tabs. The song is perfect for players who already had a bit of experience playing the instrument.
Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin
Many claim that this is the best rock song in history, and whether you agree or not, you can’t deny its presence in popular culture and the impact it had.
Fortunately, you won’t need to be a virtuoso to learn how to play this song. For kalimba, the song will follow vocals and you can learn it in no time.
Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
Bart Howard wrote the song in 1954, but Sinatra made it popular. It is one of the finest songs by this legendary singer, and you can learn how to play it on the kalimba.
The difficulty of the song is medium, which means that absolute beginners shouldn’t start with this one, but they can learn it after practicing for a while.
Let It Be – The Beatles
The song was written and recorded by Paul McCartney in 1969, and it was released on the album named The Beatles.
It is one of the most recognizable songs by the Beatles, and as many of their songs, it is quite easy to play. You can learn how to play Let it be even if you are a beginner.
I See The Light
Disney movies always had incredible songs and themes, and Tangled is no different. The movie about Rapunzel is amazing, and you can learn the song I see the light even if you are a beginner.
So, if you enjoyed watching the adventures of this Disney princess, there is no doubt that you’ll love learning this song.
Take On Me – A-ha
If you ever watched this video, you probably fell in love with it the second you saw it. But if you thought that the song is difficult to play, that’s not the case.
Even though the song is difficult to sing, the playing part is excellent even for beginners.
Toss A Coin To Your Witcher
Whether you are a fan of video games, TV shows, or books, it seems almost impossible that you haven’t heard about the famous Geralt of Rivia.
Recent Netflix adaptation of the Witcher books gave us so many incredible things, and Jaskier’s song is just one of them. Now, you can learn how to play “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher” on your kalimba!
Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Judy Garland
Let’s check another classic. The movie Wizard of Oz made quite an impact on the music industry. But one of the most recognizable parts of the movie is a song named “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Judy Garland did an incredible job, and now you can learn how to play it on the kalimba.
Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day
You can play any music genre on kalimba, and there are no limits to what you can achieve. In 2004, Green Day released American Idiot which is one of the best albums of their career.
If you are a fan of this band, you’ll love the fact that you can easily learn to play “Wake me up When September Ends.”
Bad Guy – Billie Eilish
There is no doubt that Billie Eilish took modern music by the storm, and one of the songs that became a hit worldwide is “Bad Guy.”
If you are looking for some modern songs to learn, this might be a perfect starting point. Bad Guy is easy for beginners, fun, and recognizable.
Shape Of You – Ed Sheeran
It seems that there was a point where you could hear Shape of You wherever you go. Not to say that it is a bad thing, and there is a reason why everyone went crazy for this British musician.
If you are a fan of his unique music and style, you should learn how to play it on the kalimba. Trust me, it’s easy, and you’ll learn it quite fast.
Game Of Thrones Theme
There are so many fans of this TV show, and surprisingly, everyone loved the song on the intro (unlike the last season). If you are one of the people that enjoyed listening to it, you can learn it using the link below.
And if you are wondering if the song is difficult, you will have a much better time than most of the characters from the show.
Imagine – John Lennon
Late John Lennon tried to tell us how beautiful the world can be if we just focused on love and caring for each other.
There is no doubt that this is the best song by John Lennon, and you can easily learn how to play it on the kalimba. Learning it is perfect for beginners, and there won’t be any tricky parts you need to figure out.
Davy Jones Theme – Hans Zimmer
One of the most beautiful themes in cinema is Davy Jones theme from Pirates of the Caribbean. The song perfectly captures his love for Calypso and it just shows how amazing Hans Zimmer is.
And since the kalimba can create such incredible sounds, the song is equally beautiful when you play it on the thumb piano.
Jingle Bells
Even though it’s not Christmas yet, it’s never too early to prepare for holidays. All jokes aside, there aren’t many songs that are easier than Jingle bells.
You can play this song on almost any instrument, and even if it seems too simple, it can be a nice practice to get to know your instrument better.
Everything I Do – Bryan Adams
Interestingly, this song was written by Adams and legendary Michael Kamen for the movie Robin Hood. Over the years, the song became enormously popular across the world.
You can easily learn how to play this beautiful song on kalimba as well. The song is simple, and it sounds amazing on the thumb piano.
All Of Me – John Legend
John Legend became rather popular and there is no chance that you missed it if you listen to the radio. The song “All of me” is fun to play, and there is something special and unique in the way it sounds on the kalimba.
Fortunately, the song is suitable for beginners as well, and you won’t need any complicated techniques to learn it.
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
One of Clapton’s most popular ballads is Wonderful Tonight, and the song sounds incredible on the kalimba. If you are looking to learn this Clapton’s classic, you’re in luck!
There are so many adaptations of this song available, and here is the one you might enjoy.
True Color – Phil Collins
The song was originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper in 1986. Phil Collins recorded his own version almost a decade later for his album …Hits.
This cover is great for anyone looking to improve their skills, and you won’t need to spend hours and hours practicing it.
The Scientist – Coldplay
There are so many fans of this British band, and they will be delighted to learn how to play one of their most popular songs.
The Scientist by Coldplay is played on the piano, and it sounds quite good on the kalimba. Moreover, the song is not difficult to learn, and it’s suitable for any skill level.
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
If you are looking to learn newer songs, and are not really a fan of classic rock, you might like the idea of learning to play I’m Yours by Jason Mraz.
The song is a bit more advanced, but nothing too hard. So you won’t suffer for a long time trying to perfect it. You will need good coordination between your left and right hand, but with enough practice, you’ll be there.
Sweet Child O’ Mine Guns ‘n’ Roses
If you ever dreamed of learning how to play this song, but are not a guitarist, now is your time. Sweet Child O’ Mine is probably the most famous song by Guns ‘n’ Roses.
However, the kalimba version is definitely not the easiest song you can learn. But if you are looking for a challenge, you should try learning this one.
Cantina Theme – Star Wars
Do you remember that band from the cantina on Tatooine that can play only one song? Well, you can learn it now. Don’t let the ktabs confuse you.
There are two kalimbas playing this song, and you can focus on learning only one, or you can learn both. The only important part is to play the theme over and over again like in the movie.
In The End – Linkin Park
We all know and love Linkin Park, and for many, it was an important part of childhood. Similarly to the previous entry on the list, there are two kalimbas playing together, and it sounds incredible.
Needless to say, the song is a bit more complex than the rest on the list, but it’s well worth the time and practice.
House Of The Rising Sun – Animals
The song is one of the first rock songs ever recorded, and it is a major part of music history. The kalimba version of this song is a bit different than the original one, but it still keeps the essence of the original version.
Furthermore, it might be a bit challenging if you never had experience playing kalimba before.
Let Her Go – Passenger
The song Let her go features a beautiful acoustic guitar intro that sounds great on kalimba as well. If you love this song, there is no doubt that you will enjoy learning it on your thumb piano.
When it comes to difficulty, any skill level can learn this song, and it’s not as complex as others on the list.
Yesterday – The Beatles
Another classic by the Beatles, Yesterday, is a great song you can learn on the kalimba.
The best thing about this version is that it requires you to practice coordination between your left and right thumb, to make it sound as good as possible.
Tale As Old As Time – Beauty And The Beast
With the recent movie adaptation of this Disney classic, many remembered the song Tale as Old as Time that appears in the movie.
This beautiful song is great for any Disney lover out there, and for anyone looking to improve their skills.
A Whole New World
Seems like everyone loves Disney songs, and there are so many kalimba covers available online. One of the popular ones is from Aladdin, and the song is intermediate or medium difficulty.
This means that the song might be challenging for beginners, but they too can learn how to play it with enough practice.
Concerning Hobbits
If you love the Lord of the Rings you probably know which song this is. The movie series based on Tolkien’s books is one of the best movies you can find, and the music perfectly follows events and stories.
Concerning Hobbits gives you an opportunity to travel back to the Shire after all these years. To help you achieve that, here is a great tutorial for kalimba.
Mr. Sandman – The Chordettes
Mister Sandman is a beautiful song from 1954, and it sounds so incredible if you play it on the kalimba.
There is something unique about this instrument, and it is perfectly captured in this version of the song. Moreover, the song itself is not really difficult and it is suitable for any skill level.
Wind Of Change – Scorpions
One of the most popular songs by this German band, Wind of Change is both simple and fun to play.
Needless to say, the version is adapted for the kalimba, but it still sounds incredible. The song is great for both beginners and intermediate players.
Swan Lake – Tchaikovsky
Now, to spice things up, the next addition on the list is by Tchaikovsky. This is one of the best ktabs on the list, and it is a bit challenging.
While beginners may try this one, there is a high chance that they will have problems with it. Hopefully, this song will serve as a motivation and goal for your kalimba playing.
Video Games – Lana Del Ray
Video Games is a song from the second album of the American singer, Lana Del Ray.
Her unique music style and singing seem almost perfect for kalimba, and the song is both fun and emotional. Moreover, it’s great for any skill level, including beginners.
You’re Still The One – Shania Twain
If you love Shania Twain you will enjoy learning this song. But even if you are not a fan of this Canadian singer, you can still have a great time improving your playing skills.
You’re Still The One is a great way to progress with the instrument especially if you are inexperienced.
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Finally, there are many Queen lovers out there, and they will be delighted to learn this song. Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the most popular songs by this British band, and it remained popular even after all these years.
Hopefully, this won’t give you trouble if you are looking to learn how to play it.
Summary
There are so many great songs you can learn on the kalimba, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. But hopefully, they will help you start practicing and understand better how kalimbas work.
You can also try learning new songs once you finish with these, and continue exploring. The only important thing is to continue practicing and improving your technique and playstyle.
If you found this article useful you may want to save this pin below to your Kalimba board
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