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Thumb Piano Concerto

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Thumb Pianos, Kalimbas, Mbiras and anything Lamellophone.

Members: 32
Latest Activity: May 6

Welcome to the Thumb Piano group!

In African music, the mbira (also known as Likembe, Mbila, Thumb Piano, Mbira Huru, Mbira Njari, Mbira Nyunga Nyunga, Karimba or Kalimba) is a musical instrument consisting of a wooden board to which staggered metal keys have been attached.

It is often fitted into a resonator. In Eastern and Southern Africa there are many kinds of mbira, usually accompanied by the hosho.

The Mbira is usually classified as part of the lamellaphone family. It is also part of the idiophones family of musical instruments. In some places it is also known as a sanza.

Discussion Forum

kalimba building basics

Started by Bertalan Somogyi Mar 25, 2013. 0 Replies 0 Likes

I wanted to build a cb kalimba, so I cut some bicycle spokes, some aluminium bar, some hardwood, and made some, It sounded horrible, damp, noisy, lots of unwanted harmonics, etc. So, I thought, maybe…Continue

Tags: cigarbox, tines, building, kalimba

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Comment by Randy S. Bretz on February 24, 2011 at 7:40pm

Comment by Alan Roberts on February 12, 2011 at 7:01am: Hey, Ted.

Looks like Tinashe is playing a Hugh Tracey kalimba, not a mbira. I wonder why that is? A kalimba has a built-in soundbox, and Tracy's have a western tuning. Notice how some of the tines are painted. I do that too (makes it easier to tell what key to play), but mbira have overlapping tines and are tuned... well, complicated.

But he's a fine musician whatever he's playing, and thanks for bringing him to my attention. I'll have to listen to more of his music, and play along.

Comment by Ted Crocker on February 12, 2011 at 12:23am

Comment by Ted Crocker on February 11, 2011 at 9:58pm

Comment by Alan Roberts on January 10, 2011 at 12:32am: Hey Dan!

What does the back look like? I drill two holes on the back where the index fingers would go. Opening and closing these holes can give a nice vibrato,

Comment by Dan DeBruler on January 9, 2011 at 2:10pm: Cherry and Ash single-octave kalimba. Made this one for the family of a brain injury survivor.
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Comment by steve "roots" howard on April 29, 2010 at 7:51pm: Home Depot electrician wire pulling reel for $9.95 for 25 foot. Real convenient to work with on reel. Pull out length and put in vice and bend till it breaks.

Comment by Diane in Chicago on April 29, 2010 at 2:34pm: Oooh! What is the tine material, please!

Comment by steve "roots" howard on April 29, 2010 at 11:42am: Cigar box kalimba with tines heated and smashed on ends\uap style="text-align: left;">