Thumb Piano (Mbira or Kalimba)

The African Mbira also called the Kalimba or Thumb Piano has metal keys mounted on a hardwood soundboard or a gourd. These keys are plucked and struck with the fingers and thumbs. If the keys are mounted on a soundboard then they are usually played inside large gourd resonators decorated with shells or in modern times bottle tops. The shells or bottle tops give off a rattle or buzzing sound. Gourd rattles called Hosho provide rhythmic accompaniment for the Mbira.

The repertoire for the mbira dzavadzimu (one of the major mbira traditions or styles) is extensive; it is said to consist of as many as 100 compositions passed down orally from one generation to the next.

The Jamaican Thumb Piano to the left is used as a bass instrument. There are bottle caps attached to each metal tine which create a buzz in the sound. The player sits on the box and hits the keys between his legs.

Read about the history of the African Thumb Piano.