Hokema B17 Kalimba C-Major – 17 Tines, Full Scale, Endless Possibilities

• 17 tines precisely tuned to C-Major — suitable for playing countless popular songs
• Ideal for improvisation, intuitive playing, and sound healing
• Solid resonant body of American cherrywood, finished with natural oils and waxes
• Ergonomically formed tines for easy thumb playing
• Pairs beautifully with the Intuitive Soundscapes Terra C-Major (Green) collection
• Includes a booklet with song samples and playing techniques
• Size: 6.9" x 7" x 1.6"

Kalimbas are metal-tined instruments that originated in southern Africa, where they can be found in countless variations. The Hokema B17 C-Major is meticulously handcrafted from solid American black cherry wood, with a surface treated and polished with natural oils and waxes. With 17 tines spanning over two and a third octaves, it opens up a full melodic range for improvisation, song playing, and expressive sound healing.

If the body feels too large for your hands, simply place the kalimba on a table and play with your thumbs and fingers. You can also place it on a djembe drum head for more amplification. If you prefer a smaller instrument, consider the B17 Mini, designed for smaller hands.

Scale & Tuning

C-Major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

A C-Major scale consists of 7 notes. The B17 has two full sets of C with an octave in between, plus one additional C an octave higher — giving you a rich, full melodic range across 17 tines.

Note on notation: In the tablature, the second octave tines are marked with a dot (e.g. 1·, 2·, 3·) and the three highest tines in the third octave are marked with a colon (e.g. 1:, 2:, 3:).

How to Read the Tine Layout

Hokema marks the tines with two visual indicators to help you navigate the larger number of tines:

• A single horizontal line on three tines indicates the keynote C — the low, middle, and high C
• A double crossbar indicates the tone B (written as H in German notation)

These markings allow you to visually orient yourself quickly while playing.

Playing the C-Major Scale

Start with the middle, longest tine and pluck it with your right thumb, alternating with your left thumb, working your way outward to the shorter tines. You will hear the C-Major scale played over two and a third octaves.

In the tablature, notes for the left hand appear at the top and notes for the right hand at the bottom. This tablature format is used by Conny Sommer in his B17 tutorials.

Watch: Chord Marking with Magnets

Hokema includes magnets with the B17 to help you mark chords while playing. Watch the video below to see how to use them, plus get a feel for the instrument's rich, full sound.

Hokema also includes a booklet with your purchase featuring song samples and playing techniques to get you started.

Available Add-Ons (Not Included)

B17 Softbag

• Reinforced with fiberglass for durability
• Fully padded interior for protection
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Protects your Kalimba perfectly while traveling
• Lightweight and durable