Ann Ritter's Journey to Learn the Kalimba by Ann Ritter

Guaranteed to be different.

rittera565 — 2024-04-29 18:55:26 UTC

Assigned to choose a progressive learning project.

rittera565 — 2024-04-29 18:57:38 UTC

A personal challenge.

I would learn to play a Kalimba.

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 18:53:33 UTC

Too many choices. Curse you Google & Amazon.

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 18:57:36 UTC

Big and small sizes. Big and small prices.

Small price - small instrument - go anywhere

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 19:01:07 UTC

Decided to start small, leaving room for progression !

First Learning Flip

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 20:41:59 UTC

This was the cover image of the first flip assignment.

First Play on Flip

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 20:42:47 UTC

Discussed the project and the fun I expected to get from it.

A Flip Check up in March

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 20:54:07 UTC

Image cover for the progress check.

Tackling the scales and "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 20:55:02 UTC

These recordings made me self-conscious and nervous.

First Goal: Learn the scales

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 21:18:53 UTC

Alternating side to side. Got faster and better later.

Expanding Range: "Ode to Joy" Part 1

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 21:19:55 UTC

With all respect to Mr. Beethoven.

"Ode to Joy" Part 2: Hit a snag

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 21:20:43 UTC

No low B below Middle C.

Hitting higher notes: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 21:21:35 UTC

Happiness is finally hitting the High C Note.

Baa Baa Black Sheep hits Notes G and A

rittera565 — 2024-05-04 21:39:44 UTC

Trying again to expand the range.

Ordered the up-grade to extend the range.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 01:15:53 UTC

Out of tune when received. Now must get tuning hammer and more knowledge about tuning. I understand there are tuning apps.

Included numerical music for several songs.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 01:16:55 UTC

Made no sense to me. Could not deal with #'s. Failled.

Contented and pleased with contents.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 01:17:51 UTC

Will keep the flamingo box for ever!

Back to loving Google. Found notes I understood.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 01:19:15 UTC

The start of something beautiful. Scales, here I come.

Research to Get a jump start on a 2-octave kalimba.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 01:23:03 UTC

Mildly intimidating. Thumbs will get a thorough workout. Still working with baby version while waiting.

Research is usually good. Yet, this was goofy.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 01:34:31 UTC

No songs or instructions here! Thumping it, scratching it, tapping it with beads. Weird stuff.

Practice schedule: 30 minutes, 3-days/week.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 02:00:49 UTC

Failure #2. Never used the practice schedule -- not even once.

Just what I was looking for.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 02:32:33 UTC

How to hold it, and how to play. Some songs, too.

Amazing Grace - low C to high C - an appropriate end.

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 03:07:12 UTC

Looking forward with pride and joy to learning more and getting better!

A Final Reflection of Gratitude

rittera565 — 2024-05-05 03:33:33 UTC

Homes should be filled with music, hearts with song.