Getting Started
What is the Kalimba Tab Maker?
The Kalimba Tab Maker is a web-based tool for creating, editing, playing, sharing, and publishing kalimba tabs. It features an intuitive grid interface for note input and various advanced features.
What kalimba types are supported?
The Kalimba Tab Maker supports 8-key, 17-key, and 21-key kalimbas. You can select your kalimba type using the "Key Settings" dropdown.
How do I start creating a tab?
To start creating a tab, simply click on the cells in the grid to add or remove notes. Each column represents a tine on the kalimba, and each row represents a moment in time.
Creating and Editing Tabs
How do I add or remove notes?
On desktop: Click on a cell to add a note. Click again to remove it. Click and drag to add multiple notes quickly. Right-click and drag (or click and hold) to erase multiple notes. On mobile: Tap on a cell to add a note. Tap again to remove it. Tap and drag to add multiple notes. There's currently no quick method to erase multiple notes on mobile devices.
Can I change the key or transpose the tab?
Yes, you can use the "Transpose" dropdown menu to change the key of your tab. This will shift all notes accordingly.
How do I add more rows?
Click the "+" button at the bottom of the grid to add more rows. You can add multiple rows at once.
Can I insert or delete rows in the middle of the tab?
Yes, each row has "+" and "-" buttons on the right side. Use these to insert or delete rows at specific positions.
Playback and Sound
How do I play my tab?
Click the play button (triangle icon) to start playback. You can also click on the play icon next to each row to start playback from that specific row.
Can I adjust the tempo?
Yes, use the "Tempo" input field to change the playback speed. The number represents beats per minute (BPM).
Is there an auto-scroll feature during playback?
Yes, enable the "Auto-scroll" checkbox to have the view automatically follow along with the playback.
Why can't I hear any sound?
Make sure your device's sound is on and the volume is up. Also, some browsers require a user interaction before allowing audio playback, so try clicking the play button again.
Notation Features
How do I view my tab in notation form?
Click the "Show Notation" button to switch to the notation view. This allows you to see your tab in a more traditional music notation format.
What types of notation are available?
You can view your tab in number notation, letter notation, or piano notation. Use the buttons in the notation view to switch between these formats.
Can I convert notation to a grid tab?
Yes, click the "Notation to Grid" button. This opens a text area where you can input or paste notation. Use numbers or letters for notes, and group simultaneous notes with parentheses. After inputting your notation, click "Generate Tab" to convert it to a grid format.
Importing and Exporting MIDI
How do I import a MIDI file?
Click the folder icon and select a MIDI file from your device. The Kalimba Tab Maker will convert it into a kalimba tab.
Are there any limitations on MIDI import?
The MIDI import feature will attempt to map notes to the closest available kalimba tines. Very complex MIDI files may not translate perfectly to kalimba tabs.
How do I export my tab as a MIDI file?
Click the save icon to export your tab as a MIDI file. You can then use this file in other music software or share it with others.
Sharing and Publishing
How do I quickly share my tab?
Click the "Share" button to generate a shareable link. You can send this link to anyone, and they'll be able to view and play your tab.
Is there a limitation on the share URL?
Yes, there is a 2000 character limit on share URLs due to restrictions in some web browsers and servers. For longer tabs, you'll see a warning that only a portion of the tab is included in the share URL.
How can I share a long tab that exceeds the URL limit?
For longer tabs, we recommend: 1) Publishing the tab (requires an account), 2) Splitting the tab into multiple shorter tabs, or 3) Using the MIDI export feature and sharing the MIDI file directly.
How do I publish my tab for the community?
Click the "Publish" button (requires login). Fill in the title, description, and difficulty level for your tab. Once published, it will be available for the community to view and play.
Can I edit or delete a published tab?
Yes, you can edit or delete your own published tabs. Go to your profile page to manage your published tabs.
Account Features
Do I need an account to use the Kalimba Tab Maker?
No, you can create and play tabs without an account. However, an account is required to publish tabs and access certain features.
What additional features do I get with an account?
With an account, you can: Publish tabs for the community, Save tabs to your profile, Edit or delete your published tabs, Rate and comment on other users' tabs.
How do I create an account?
Click the "Sign Up" button in the top right corner of the page and follow the prompts to create your account.
Troubleshooting
The site is running slowly. What can I do?
If you have a very long tab, try reducing the number of rows or splitting it into multiple tabs. You can also try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser.
I found a bug. How do I report it?
Please contact our support team with a detailed description of the issue, including what you were doing when it occurred and any error messages you saw.
Where can I get more help?
For additional assistance, you can check our community forums for discussions and tips from other users, watch tutorial videos on our YouTube channel, or contact our support team through the "Contact Us" page.
