Hedwig’s Theme (Harry Potter) Kalimba Tabs: 17-Key Tuning Notes
One chime and you’re soaring toward the towers of Hogwarts. “Hedwig’s Theme” is the heart of the Wizarding World. To preserve the haunting soul of John Williams’ masterpiece on a 17-key kalimba, this arrangement uses a custom re-tuning. By adjusting your scale, you’ll capture the exact chromatic notes needed for true magic. A rewarding challenge for intermediate players seeking authenticity.
Performance Demo
Kalimba Tabs
Tuning (17-Key Kalimba, Left to Right): #C°° B° A° G° F° #D° #A E C G B E° #F° #G° #A° C°° D°° ________________________________ G (D B) E° D° (D B) B° (D G°) (D D°) (D B) E° D° (F-A) C° (D G) E G G (D B) E° D° (D B) B° (E E°°) D°° (C C°°) F° (D C°°) B° A° (D-F) E° (D B) E° G E° (D B°) E° (D B°) E° (D C°°) B° (C A°) D° (D E°) B° A° (F C) G (D B°) E° G E° (D B°) E° (D B°) E° (E E°°) D°° (C C°°) F° (D C°°) B° A° (D-F) E° (D B) E° G G (D B) E° D° (D B) B° (D G°) (D D°) (D B) E° D° (F-A) C° (D G) E G G (D B) E° D° (D B) B° (E E°°) D°° (C C°°) F° (D C°°) B° A° (D-F) E° (D B) E° G E° (D B°) E° (D B°) E° (D C°°) B° (C A°) D° (D E°) B° A° (F C) G (D B°) E° G E° (D B°) E° (D B°) E° (E E°°) D°° (C C°°) F° (D C°°) B° A° (D-F) E° (D B)
Tuning (17-Key Kalimba, Left to Right): #1°° 7° 6° 5° 4° #2° #6 3 1 5 7 3° #4° #5° #6° 1°° 2°° ________________________________ 5 (2 7) 3° 2° (2 7) 7° (2 5°) (2 2°) (2 7) 3° 2° (4-6) 1° (2 5) 3 5 5 (2 7) 3° 2° (2 7) 7° (3 3°°) 2°° (1 1°°) 4° (2 1°°) 7° 6° (2-4) 3° (2 7) 3° 5 3° (2 7°) 3° (2 7°) 3° (2 1°°) 7° (1 6°) 2° (2 3°) 7° 6° (4 1) 5 (2 7°) 3° 5 3° (2 7°) 3° (2 7°) 3° (3 3°°) 2°° (1 1°°) 4° (2 1°°) 7° 6° (2-4) 3° (2 7) 3° 5 5 (2 7) 3° 2° (2 7) 7° (2 5°) (2 2°) (2 7) 3° 2° (4-6) 1° (2 5) 3 5 5 (2 7) 3° 2° (2 7) 7° (3 3°°) 2°° (1 1°°) 4° (2 1°°) 7° 6° (2-4) 3° (2 7) 3° 5 3° (2 7°) 3° (2 7°) 3° (2 1°°) 7° (1 6°) 2° (2 3°) 7° 6° (4 1) 5 (2 7°) 3° 5 3° (2 7°) 3° (2 7°) 3° (3 3°°) 2°° (1 1°°) 4° (2 1°°) 7° 6° (2-4) 3° (2 7)
Which Kalimba Should You Choose?
High notes lose clarity when tines are too short or poorly spaced. A 17-key kalimba positions upper-register notes on longer, thicker tines that vibrate with fuller sustain, eliminating the thin, metallic sound common on smaller instruments.
Start with the opening phrase at half tempo, then gradually match the original recording’s pace. This arrangement rewards careful dynamics—let each note ring fully to capture the magical atmosphere that defines Williams’ score.
Disclaimer: The tablature and notation provided on this page are transcribed from public community resources and are intended for educational purposes only. If you are the original arranger or copyright holder and wish to claim credit or request removal, please contact us.
