The future of music

55 Easy Kalimba Songs For Beginners (With Tabs & Videos)

December 29, 2023
easy kalimba songs

I’ve curated a selection of easy Kalimba songs for beginners, complete with tabs and videos to guide your learning journey.

This collection is designed to make your first steps with the Kalimba enjoyable and fulfilling, offering simple yet beautiful melodies that are perfect for beginners to start playing right away.

Table of Contents

Top easy Kalimba songs for beginners

  • “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley
  • “Let It Be” by The Beatles
  • “Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra
  • “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day
  • “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
  • “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
  • “Yesterday” by The Beatles
  • “Sounds of Silence” by Simon & Gafunkel
  • “Under The Sea” from Little Mermaid OST
  • “Concerning Hobbits” from LOTR OST

1. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley is arguably one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.

And it sounds amazing on kalimba!

It’s gentle and slow-paced so it’s one of the kalimba songs you can pick up fast.

Plus, you probably already know the song by heart, so if you have some experience, you can even learn it by ear. 

2. “Let It Be” by The Beatles

Another easy song you probably know by heart is “Let It Be.”

“Let It Be” is the Beatles classic, and it was released  almost a month after the group’s break-up.

Nevertheless, the song remains one of the Beatles’ signature songs, and it also sounds great on kalimba.

You can play it along some backing tracks so you can feel like you’re part of the Fab Four.

3. “Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra

“Fly Me To The Moon” was released in 1964, and it has been played in different variations ever since.

One of the uncommon but beautiful ways to play it is on kalimba.

It’s a fairly easy song to learn on kalimba – you will memorize the notes rather quickly.

It also has a steady rhythm and a melody that everyone knows.

4. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day

Wake Me Up When September Ends” is slow-paced, nostalgic, and familiar.

And it has very easy kalimba sheet music.

The song sounds more dreamy on kalimba, especially without that second guitar-driven part of the song.

Either way, it’s a great song to add to your repertoire.

5. “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong

Who would have thought “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong could make beautiful kalimba music?

This soothing classic was first released in 1967, and it remains one of the most popular songs from the 60s.

There are many kalimba covers of this song, so you can easily find tabs you like and learn it by yourself.

6. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

Needless to say, “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen is a timeless classic.

It has been covered by many artists since its original release in 1984.

The gentle melody of this song is easy to pick up and play on kalimba too.

The tempo is rather slow, so you don’t have to worry about that either.

7. “Yesterday” by The Beatles 

When played on kalimba, “Yesterday” by The Beatles sounds like a lullaby.

It’s one of the best rock ballads, and one of the most covered Beatles songs.

And with this easy kalimba tutorial you will learn it in no time.

8. “Sounds of Silence” by Simon & Gafunkel

“Sounds of Silence” is one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most famous songs.

It’s soft, melancholic, and dreamy – and all of that comes into focus even more when performed on kalimba.

It’s arguably one of the easiest kalimba songs for beginners, especially if you play it along with a piano backing track.

9. “Under The Sea” from Little Mermaid OST 

“Under The Sea” is a perfect beginner kalimba song.

It was featured in the Little Mermaid animated movie, so if you play it on kalimba, you will evoke the atmosphere of that underwater scene.

“Under The Sea” is lively and uplifting, but it’s also not too fast, so you won’t have any problems learning it.

10. “Concerning Hobbits” from LOTR OST 

“Concerning Hobbits” is another epic movie soundtrack you can play on kalimba.

The song is beginner-friendly, and you’ll find its tabs rather easy to follow.

Also, “Concerning Hobbits” has a very gentle, sweet melody, so it works well for an instrument like kalimba.

11. “Harry Potter Theme” from Harry Potter OST 

If you like playing movie soundtracks on kalimba, then you can’t skip “Harry Potter Theme.”

This dreamy, iconic melody composed by John Williams has brought J.K. Rowling’s magical world to life.

The original score was played on celesta, an instrument that looks a bit like piano.

But it sounds similar to kalimba – so if you learn it on your kalimba, it will sound almost like an original!

12. “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher” from The Witcher OST

Toss A Coin To Your Witcher” is a tune from the popular TV show ‘The Witcher.’

It has pop and Celtic elements, and it became a big hit because of the show.

It’s very catchy, and it’s relatively easy to learn on kalimba.

13. “You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain

If you want to learn popular songs on kalimba, this one’s for you.

“You’re Still The One” is a country pop ballad released in 1997.

It’s one of Shania Twain’s biggest hits.

It’s also an easy tune to learn on kalimba, even if you’re a beginner.

14. “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

My Heart Will Go On” is also one of the popular easy kalimba songs.

It’s a heart-wrenching all-time hit  that will always remind us of Kate and Leo.

If you play it on kalimba, the song will sound more dreamy and sweet, but no less melancholic.

15. “Careless Whisper” by George Michael

“Careless Whisper” also sounds good on kalimba.

George Michael’s signature song is romantic, sentimental, and easy to listen to.

It’s also a song that everyone knows – so you probably won’t have any problems memorizing the tabs.

16. “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s OST

Henry Mancini’s song “Moon River” is a part of the iconic movie with Audrey Hepburn ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s.’

If you’re a fan of the movie, you’ll be happy to hear that “Moon River” is an easy song for kalimba.

You can start playing it at reduced speed first and then increase it as you feel more comfortable with the melody.

17. “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz

“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” is a sweet, popular tune from the beloved movie ‘The Wizard of Oz.’

It’s also a simple kalimba song to learn, especially if you try to play it slowly first.

Either way, the notes are not difficult to master, and tempo is quite logical too.

18. “Imagine” by John Lennon

“Imagine” is regarded as one of the greatest songs of all time.

Whether you agree or not, the impact of this song is undeniable.

So if you want to add it to your repertoire, you can learn it without hassle.

Practice the song at reduced speed first, and then play it at full speed – perhaps even with accompanying instruments.

19. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

“I’m Yours” is a popular ukulele song for ukulele, but it’s also an easy kalimba song for beginners.

The song is positive and catchy, and it still sounds great.

However, performing it on kalimba will breathe new life into it. 

You can try to sing it too – it’s not too difficult, especially if you have basic singing skills.

20. “In The End” by Linkin Park

If you want to play something different, why not learn “In The End” by Linkin Park?

It’s one of the band’s signature songs, and it’s very powerful.

The song is not too difficult to play on kalimba, and in that version, it sounds beautiful and haunting.

You can also play it with a friend to make your performance even more interesting.

21. “Edelweiss” from the Sound of Music OST

“Edelweiss” always transports us to some other era.

The song was written for one of the world’s favorite musicals, the “Sound of Music.” 

If you play it on your kalimba, perhaps you’ll feel like you’re a part of the musical as well.

22. “Jurassic Park Theme” from Jurassic Park OST

And maybe a movie like “Jurassic Park” is more to your liking.

“Jurassic Park Theme” sounds surprisingly good on kalimba.

And it’s actually very simple, even if you don’t have a lot of experience.

23. “Auld Lang Syne” by Robert Burns 

“Auld Lang Syne” is a traditional English song from the 18th century usually played around New Year’s Eve.

The phrase in the song’s title translates to ‘old long since.’

It’s a very nostalgic yet familiar and sentimental tune, and that’s why it works well for kalimba.

24. “Heal The World” by Michael Jackson

If you like Michael Jackson’s music, this one’s for you.

Michael was known for making energetic, fast-paced pop hits, so you can perhaps start with “Heal The World.” 

“Heal The World” is rather slow and tender, and it’s relatively easy to play on kalimba.

And once you improve your skills, you can move on to more demanding songs by the King of Pop.

25. “Zombie” by The Cranberries

If you like 90s rock, you should also add “Zombie” by The Cranberries to your repertoire.

It’s a rock classic released in 1994 and one of The Zombies’ best-known songs.

It’s a somewhat unusual choice for kalimba – but it works really well!

Playing this kind of music will certainly help you bring your skills to the next level.

26. “With Or Without You” by U2

Speaking of classics, you can also easily learn “With Or Without You” by U2.

The song is taken from the band’s legendary studio album “The Joshua Tree” in 1987.

It’s arguably one of their most enduring songs – it still sounds great, even after all these years.

But if you want to breathe new life into it, you can try playing it on your kalimba.

The kalimba tabs for “With Or Without You” are fairly simple.

27. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

With this easy kalimba tab, you can learn one of the Beatles greatest hits in no time.

“Hey Jude” was released in 1968, and it was one of the group’s most successful records.

The song is also simple to learn on kalimba.

And if you’re ready to sing along too, even better.

28. “Itsy Bitsy Spider” 

If you’re looking for kids songs to play on kalimba, we have a suggestion.

Itsy Bitsy Spider” is one of the easiest kalimba children’s songs.

And we’re sure your kid will love it if you learn how to play it for them.

And if you believe they’re ready to start learning how to play kalimba, this is a great tune to start with.

29. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” 

Another fun kid’s song for kalimba beginners is “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” 

It’s a popular kids song, and it’s very easy to play.

Even the youngest kids will love it when they hear it on kalimba.

30. “Take On Me” by A-ha

“Take On Me” by A-ha is one of the most popular songs of the 80s.

And it sounds very cool on kalimba.

The song is easy to learn, but it might be a bit fast for first-time beginners.

You can try to play it at reduced speed first and then increase it as you feel more confident.

31. “I Want To Break Free” by Queen

“I Want To Break Free” by Queen is arguably one of the best rock songs ever.

It’s uplifting and catchy, and it captures the essence of Queen and Freddie Mercury perfectly.

Of course, the kalimba version of “I Want To Break Free” sounds a bit different – and we love it.

And with this easy tab, you can learn how to play without hassle.

32. “The Scientist” by Coldplay

Coldplay’s “The Scientist” is a great song for kalimba players of all levels.

The simple version is ideal for beginners – it’s steady and not too fast, and you can add more nuance to your playing as you progress.

After all, “The Scientist” is one of Coldplay’s most beautiful ballads, and the sound of kalimba can add something new to the song.

33. “True Colors” by Phil Collins

“True Colors” is one of the easiest songs to learn on kalimba.

It’s also very popular, so you probably already have it in your ear.

If you’ve just started with your kalimba learning journey, this song will give you the confidence boost you might need. 

34. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses

Sweet Child O’ Mine” is another kalimba song for beginners you can add to your kalimba repertoire.

The original song is uplifting, catchy, and positive – and it’s simply iconic.

If you play it on kalimba, the song becomes sweeter and more tender.

35. “Rolling In The Deep” by Adele

“Rolling In The Deep” is one of Adele’s signature songs.

It was a huge hit when it came out in 2011, and it still sounds great.

It seems like Adele’s biggest hits are truly timeless.

If you want to learn “Rolling In The Deep” on kalimba, you can start with a slower tempo and then progress to the full speed.

36. “House Of The Rising Sun” by The Animals

The Animals’ rendition of the traditional folk song became a timeless rock classic.

It’s certainly the best-known version of the song.

And with this easy “House Of The Rising Sun” kalimba tutorial, you can master this iconic rock tune within hours.

37. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

You might be surprised to see “Bohemian Rhapsody” among easy kalimba songs.

But the simplified kalimba version is fairly easy to learn.

And when you improve your kalimba skills, you can add more nuance to the song and turn it into a true kalimba masterpiece.

38. “Shape Of You” by Ed Sheeran 

Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” starts with a similar sound to kalimba.

Therefore, it’s a great song to add to your repertoire.

It’s fun and catchy, and it will help you improve your rhythm.

39. “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd

Many agree that “Wish You Were Here” is one of the greatest songs of all time.

It’s certainly one of Pink Floyd’s biggest hits and one of the most influential rock songs of the 70s.

And you might be happy to hear that it’s also an easy song for kalimba.

It has a slower tempo so you won’t have to practice at the reduced speed first.

40. “Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence 

Released in 2003, “Bring Me To Life” became one of Evanescence’s best-known songs.

It won the band multiple awards including  the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

And although the song is characterized by rock/metal elements and powerful vocals, it actually sounds quite good on kalimba.

Of course, it became a completely different song – and it works.

41. “Happy Birthday”

If you want to learn how to play “Happy Birthday” on kalimba, this easy kalimba tutorial will show you everything you need to know.

Luckily, “Happy Birthday” is arguably one of the easiest songs to play on kalimba.

And once you learn it, you can surprise your friends and family every time someone has a birthday.

Just make sure you got it right first.

42. “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes

“Seven Nation Army” has one of the most iconic guitar riffs in music history.

And although it might seem strange to hear this stadium anthem played on an instrument like kalimba, you will be surprised.

More importantly, the song is pretty simple, so you’ll be able to pick up on it very quickly.

43. “How Deep Is Your Love” by Bee Gees

Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love” was used in the iconic movie ‘Saturday Night Fever.’

And although kalimba isn’t an ideal instrument for disco music, this rather gentle Bee Gees sound great on kalimba.

And the notes are not too difficult to master.

The rhythm is good too, especially if you start practicing at a slower speed.

44. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift 

 “Love Story” is one of Taylor Swift’s early hits released in 2008. 

Although she evolved throughout the years, “Love Story” remains a nice throwback and a sweet country pop tune.

And it’s one of the simple kalimba songs you can pick up fast.

45. “Silent Night” 

“Silent Night” is one of the most beautiful Christmas songs.

It’s been around for centuries, and many artists made a cover version including Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra, and Carrie Underwood.

If you want to make your own rendition, why not play on kalimba?

The song is slow, tender, and very easy to memorize.

46. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” 

Another easy Christmas song for kalimba is “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” 

Well, it’s a Christmas classic that everyone knows, but it sounds a bit different on kalimba.

In fact, it sounds very Christmassy – especially if you play it with passion and at full speed. 

47. “Numb” by Linkin Park

 “Numb” is one of Linkin Park’s most sentimental and heart-wrenching songs.

Lyrically, it’s a song about pressure to feel other people’s expectations.

And when it’s played on kalimba, it sounds melancholic and dreamy.

Plus, with these easy tabs, you’ll master it in no time.

48. “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin

“Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is hands down one of the most beautiful rock songs ever written.

It starts gently, and then it transforms into a true musical masterpiece.

Stairway To Heaven” is considered one of the easy kalimba songs, but it might be a bit challenging for first-time beginners.

However, if you practice regularly, you will get there!

49. “Everything I Do (I Do For You)” by Bryan Adams 

How about adding some Bryan Adams music to your kalimba repertoire?

His 1991 single  “Everything I Do (I Do For You)” would be a great choice.

It’s one of Bryan Adams’ most successful songs.

In fact, the song was a number 1 for 16 weeks, and it became one of the best-selling singles of all time.

50. “All Of Me” by John Legend 

John Legend’s “All Of Me” also became a chart-topping hit.

It’s a tender, romantic song; after all, John dedicated it to his wife, Chrissy Teigen.

If you want to play this popular ballad on kalimba, with this easy tutorial, you can do it without breaking a sweat.

It’s a slow-paced song with a simple melody.

51. “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton released “Wonderful Tonight” in 1977.

He supposedly wrote the song about Pattie Boyd, his then-girlfriend and future wife.

The song has been covered many times, but playing it on kalimba perhaps isn’t so popular.

That’s why you can make an authentic rendition of “Wonderful Tonight” – with this beginner-friendly kalimba tutorial, you’ll undoubtedly make it sound amazing.

52. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran

“Thinking Out Loud” is another romantic song you can learn on kalimba.

Ed Sheeran released it in 2014, but it seems like it was yesterday.

It’s a genuine song about a long-lasting love, so it comes as no surprise that it became one of the most popular wedding songs.

Nevertheless, you can easily learn it on kalimba – you’ll just need a little practice before playing it at full speed.

53. “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls 

“Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls is also one of the kalimba songs that requires a little effort.

However, the song is suitable for beginners, and it would make a nice addition to your repertoire.

The song is generally very sentimental and powerful, but playing it on kalimba will turn it into a lullaby.

Either way, listening to “Iris” always brings back memories.

54. “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People 

“Pumped Up Kicks” was a big hit when it came out in 2011.

It ruled the charts and radio stations, and it remained one of the band’s most recognizable songs.

Since it has a catchy, uplifting melody, the song also sounds great on kalimba.

It’s relatively easy to learn, especially if you already have the song in your ears.

55. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson 

If you’re up for a challenge, why not play “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson?

You can start slowly and then progress towards a faster tempo.

Either way, playing “Billie Jean” on kalimba is not as hard as it looks.

And once you get it right, it sounds very cool.

At the end of the day, if you put enough practice and effort into your kalimba playing, nothing will seem difficult. 

Wrapping Up Our List of the Best Easy Kalimba Songs

We hope our list of the best kalimba songs for beginners provided you with some great ideas and inspiration.

There are so many different styles and genres you can explore, from movie soundtracks to rock classics.

And these easy kalimba songs are a great way to start! 

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Will Fenton

Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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