Which kalimbas does April Yang use? You’ll know everything!

Have you recently watched a video of musician April Yang and wondered which kalimba she used for her performance? Does she always play the same instrument? Can you get the exact same thumb piano and recreate the very same melody as this artist?

After more than 10 years in the wonderful world of the kalimba, I can spot the brand and model of the thumb piano a musician is holding at a glance. So yes, I can tell you for sure!

April Yang mainly plays Gecko kalimbas in her performances. That said, she also sometimes uses Hluru thumb pianos, as well as instruments from other, lesser-known brands.

Once you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll know:

• Which Gecko kalimba models April Yang uses most often
• Which Hluru thumb pianos this artist owns
• The other mbira/kalimba brands the famous musician plays

You’ll then be able to pinpoint the model you’re interested in, buy it, and try to faithfully recreate the melodies performed by April Yang.

Let’s start by looking at these different brands.

April Yang, an artist who is the face of the Gecko kalimba brand

April Yang is closely associated with the Gecko brand, showcasing a wide range of their kalimba models. The instrument she uses varies depending on the song.

The song "Kiss the Rain" played on the kalimba by April Yang

"Kiss the Rain" is April Yang’s most popular video. It has over 10 million views to date. Watch it below:

To play this melody, she uses a Gecko kalimba, model K17M. It’s a classic 17-tine instrument with a resonator box, made from solid mahogany. In "K17M," "K" stands for kalimba, "17" is the number of tines, and "M" stands for mahogany. This wood is widely used for kalimbas thanks to its beautiful warm tone, attractive colour, and smooth feel. Check out our other article if you’d like to learn the differences between the various woods used for thumb pianos. It’ll help you choose your next kalimba by understanding the pros and cons of the most common tonewoods.

The melody of "Game of Thrones" performed on the thumb piano by April Yang

Another impressive performance by April Yang is her cover of the theme from the TV series "Game of Thrones." Below is the video of this cover, which has racked up no less than 8 million views.

This time, April Yang used a model called K17CAP. It’s still a 17-tine kalimba, but this one is made from camphor wood. This wood is known for keeping its pleasant camphor scent even years after the tree is cut. Plus, the kalimba has no resonator box—it's a solid flatboard design. If you’re not sure about the differences between models with and without a resonator box, check out our article that outlines the advantages and disadvantages of thumb pianos with and without sound holes. You’ll then know which instrument is the best fit for you.

Finally, there are curves on the left and right edges of the instrument. Many players appreciate this ergonomic detail because it makes the kalimba easier to hold.

What finger piano does April Yang use in her cover of Ed Sheeran's "Perfect"?

Finally, April Yang plays one last kalimba from the Gecko brand, which you can see in her cover of Ed Sheeran's song "Perfect":

This particular sanza comes from a collaboration between Gecko and April Yang herself, who took part in its design. The ram-in-a-circle logo is April Yang’s signature mark. It’s a very classic 17-tine, solid-mahogany kalimba without a resonator box. The Gecko reference for this model is K17GY.

Play the Game of Thrones theme like April Yang with this kalimba

4.6/5 — 500+ Reviews

See the Gecko K17CAP kalimba

April Yang's Hluru thumb pianos

It turns out that April Yang has also performed with instruments from Hluru, another respected kalimba brand.

What brand of kalimba does April Yang use when she plays music from Spirited Away?

On August 29, 2020, April Yang posted an adaptation of the beloved melody "One Summer’s Day" from the animated film Spirited Away on her YouTube channel. You can watch this video below.

The artist now plays a new Hluru kalimba, model number KY21-BlackWalnut. As the name suggests, the instrument has 21 tines. There is no resonator box, and the body is crafted from a solid block of black walnut, a luxurious, sought-after wood prized for its beautiful grain. The result is a kalimba that looks as stunning as it sounds.

If you’re shopping for a kalimba and wondering why you might choose a 21-tine model, we invite you to read our side-by-side comparison of 17- and 21-tine instruments. You’ll quickly understand the differences between these two types of kalimba.

The song "Lake Baikal" played by April Yang on her mbira

A few months later, on October 7, 2020, another video was posted to April Yang’s YouTube channel. It features a song that is little known in Europe but famous in Asia, called "Baikal Lake" by Chinese singer Li Jian. Here is the video:

The kalimba brand is still Hluru. It has only 17 tines, and its reference number is KF-Maple. "Maple" refers to the wood used here, meaning this cream-coloured thumb piano is made from a solid block of maple. Again, it has no resonator box.

What other kalimbas does musician April Yang play?

April Yang has also used other kalimba brands in some of her videos. Let’s go over them right now.

April Yang's thumb piano arrangement of Naruto Shippûden

Covering the song "Blue Bird" from the famous manga Naruto Shippûden, April used a kalimba that was completely different from the ones she was used to playing. Check it out in the video below.

The small gold metal plate at the bottom of the body is characteristic of the Lingting brand. It’s a 21-tine black walnut kalimba without a resonator box, very similar to the Hluru model we saw earlier, with a slightly thicker body and less-rounded edges.

This model is listed as LTK21W by Lingting.

The OST of the anime "Weathering With You" played by April Yang on the kalimba

To wrap up, April Yang used one last kalimba when she played the melody "Weathering With You" from the Japanese animated film "Weathering With You." Watch the video of this cover.

This kalimba stands out because it’s electronic. It has a built-in battery in the upper part of the body, along with a high-quality microphone. That means you can either plug in headphones to hear every note clearly in a noisy environment or connect the instrument to a speaker to share your playing with a larger audience.

This thumb piano is made by DUAL and is simply referenced as D1. It has 17 tines without a resonator box and is made from solid walnut wood.

Play your melodies with the mbira recommended by April Yang!

As you may have noticed, April Yang has used multiple kalimbas in her performances. She hasn’t relied on just one brand—she’s chosen the instrument that felt most suitable for the melody she wanted to play. How about you: have you identified the thumb piano you want? If not, feel free to contact us. We’ll be happy to help you track down the kalimba featured in another April Yang video.

Did you know this famous musician has taken things even further and now offers her own kalimba brand, which she personally helps design? Who better than a talented instrumentalist like April Yang to trust when it comes to crafting a quality thumb piano? Made from beech wood and finished to an exceptional standard, this kalimba is waiting for you.

Treat yourself to the only kalimba officially endorsed by April Yang—simply click on the image below:

Unlock exceptional tone with April Yang’s kalimba

4.6/5 — 500+ Reviews

See April Yang’s kalimba

Owning a kalimba of similar quality to April Yang’s is a great start. But did you know this instrument needs a bit of care to keep it from deteriorating over time? To keep your thumb piano looking its best, check out our guide on how to clean and maintain your kalimba. If you follow our advice, you’ll avoid issues like rust on your tines, among other things. Also, read this other article that brings together everything you need to know about the kalimba.