Unlocking the musician within
- Marek learned knife-making and woodwork from his father
- His first kalimba was crafted from a dried gourd
- He used his first instrument earnings to purchase a toaster
Marek Bolf's kalimba journey began with just the clothes on his back and an empty wallet, as he ventured out from home. Living in humble conditions without heating, surviving on nothing more than bread, he clung to a fervent desire to bring music back to the people. That is why Marek, alongside his wife, makes musical instruments for non-musicians. Indeed, the kalimba is designed in such a way that everyone can play it. Their collaborative efforts ensure that each kalimba is a unique instrument, meticulously crafted to suit the individual preferences of customers: from selecting the wood, customising the instrument's usage, to ensuring precise tuning. Marek still treasures his first seven-note gourd kalimba, which he spent four hours tuning. Since then, several thousand kalimbas have passed through his hands, bringing joy to satisfied customers worldwide.
INTERVIEW
My musical journey began in childhood, drumming on anything to create simple instruments. Throughout high school and my studies, I continued to play, exploring tone and sound. Finally, I wrote my Master's thesis about the practical application of intuitive musical instruments in child development.
A comprehensive approach to production and slow work. Every single step from selecting high quality wood, cutting the tree, wood drying, sanding, to finishing, tuning and painting the instrument is done by hand. I seek perfection through careful observation of trees and wood, gradually striving for depth.
Kalimba feels comfortable to hold. Playing it is similar to typing a message on a mobile phone – a familiar experience for all nowadays. We have improved this African instrument by adding clear and diverse tones, making it accessible to everyone, whether you are a musician, non-musician, or therapist.
I always look forward to the moment when the tree is split open, revealing its inner beauty for the first time. My greatest joy, however, comes from shaping and oiling the wood after years of working with raw materials. It is like breathing life into it. And of course, I like it when everything plays out well in the end.
