The kalimba is an African percussion instrument that can be found in classrooms, drum circles and various musical genres. Depending on cultural influences, it has many names, including the "thumb piano", which is based on the way it is played.

Originally, kalimbas were built from gourds and scrap metal was used for the keys. Today, the kalimba can be found in shapes and sizes ranging from pumpkins to Rooms, circles and more stylized shapes. Kalimba now has a strong presence in the world of music therapy, providing remarkable health and wellness benefits for people with physical disabilities, brain injuries, hearing loss, depression and autism spectrum disorders.

Music therapists use the Kalimba in a variety of ways, depending on the needs and comfort level of the patient. For infants, playing the Kalimba can help soothe and calm, helping new mothers feel less overwhelmed while creating a lasting bond between mother and child. It can also be used pre-pregnancy to stimulate the fetus by playing it against the mother's tummy so the sound and vibration reaches the baby. Physical disabilities, including gait problems or movement problems due to arthritis, can also be treated with the Kalimba's sound, as the Kalimba's design allows it to create music with the slightest movement of the thumbs.

In addition to the benefits felt from the sound or play of the Kalimba, the vibrations produced by the Kalimba can relax various muscle groups, and these same vibrations also give the hearing impaired the opportunity to experience music through touch. Music can be an important therapeutic tool for relieving stress or depression. With the kalimba, the sound created is light and whimsical, allowing for positive mood changes.

The instrument is as light or complex as the player wishes, so the amount of time and dedication to music can be controlled as desired; players can pluck a few keys to create an improvisational melody or practice well-known songs, depending on time, skill and motivation. The benefits of the Kalimba positively impact a variety of physical, neurological and emotional wellbeing issues and as such, music therapists are integrating this African percussion instrument into the therapeutic setting. With benefits similar to drumming and didgeridoo, the Kalimba promises to enhance people's quality of life for years to come.