Tim Holdaway Pocket Alto Kalimba
The Tim Holdaway Pocket Alto Kalimba is a miniature version of the standard 15-note Alto Kalimba. $98
These little kalimbas are 3 3/4 inches wide, 4 1/2 inches "tall", and the box is 1 1/2 inches deep. The tines are made from the 3mm stock spring steel we sell. The sides are oak, the front and back are baltic plywood, and the bridge system uses African paduak. The 15 tines are tuned to two octaves of the G major scale, just as the Hugh Tracey Alto kalimba is.
This kalimba is about half as loud as the Hugh Tracey kalimba. The tines are soft and narrow, just like the Goshen kalimbas, though the tines seem to be fastened down better than the Goshen tines, which tend to move around if you bump into them. The Tim Holdaway Pocket Alto Kalimba has a pretty even response over its two octave range - I was surprised that the low notes resonante as well as they do. The smaller hole makes for an easy "wah wah" sound, even for small thumbs. The "wah wah" affects the lower nine notes, and has the biggest effect on the lower E and F#.
The Tim Holdaway Pocket Alto Kalimba can read all the tablature written for the Alto kalimba = all of the Alto books and downloads are good for this kalimba.
Who would want this kalimba? Probably not a performing artist, as they would want more volume, perhaps a pickup, and perhaps a larger instrument to hold on to. A traveler who has only a small space for their instrument? A child with smaller hands who has progressed remarkably on the 8-Note or 11-Note or 12-Note kalimba and is looking to do even better things? Someone who wants a sweet little kalimba companion as they reflect on their day by candle light? Someone who wants to play their child a little bed time melody?
- Item #: KM_PocketALTO
