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The Thumb Piano is an African instrument and is very similar to the Kalimba. Some other terms are Mibria or Likembe. They all look quite similar but naturally it has its variances in tome quality in the sound each instrument makes. These instruments have been around for thousands of years. The keys were originally made with bamboo but over the years it was developed into medal keys. In the early 1900's the instrument was given the name Kalimba. It was thought in ancient times that the Thumb Piano was to project its sound into the heavens and was even considered to draw sown spirits to the earth. Some of them were evil spirits so the people would stop playing the music until the spirits had departed from the area. The piano is made of rosewood; the sound board is made of spruce, and comes in different tunings. On the back it has two holes that vibrate and the fingers alter the sound by moving them to and from the holes.
Most of the time the Piano is played solo and tuning is not critical as playing with another musician. If playing with another musician then you may want to take note of the tuning. The lower keys have a lower pitch while the shorter keys have a higher pitch. All the keys can be tuned by adjusting the metal piece inward or outward. The low keys are located toward the center of the instrument and the short keys are locates on the outside of the instrument. The Thumb Piano has a very incredible sound, and is a well made instrument. It is sometimes used as a backup for other instruments or vocals. It is usually played when traveling by Griots; Griots are people who are to keep the history of the tribe or village to entertain people with songs, stories, poems, dances, etc. Technically speaking, each note of the thumb piano is a separate idiophone, and in orchestra terms it is in the bar family. Modern variation of the instrument may have more than the traditional 15 tines, with as many as four chromatic octaves, which makes playing more complex music possible. They may have hollow resonating chambers for increased volume, and mechanisms for readily tuning the tines to different scales (tines are the medal keys that are needed to play the instrument). While the keys on the thumb piano are different from the piano or guitar, their arrangement is fairly intuitive, and is considered to be an instrument quickly learned.
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What is an African thumb piano?
mbira
How is the thumb piano used?
A thumb piano is mostly made out of wood, like Mukwa, which is a dark red wood, or teak wood, which is a light brown color. The earlier thumb pianos where made of bamboo. Hope that helps. peace!
If your right thumb is on the middle key on the piano what key is your pinky finger what note is it?
if your thumb is on middle c your pinky would be on g note
What are some beginner exercises for new piano players?
Piano playing is about hand flexibility and strengthening the fingers. Looking up and practicing scales helps a lot, but just tapping your fingers from both pinky to thumb and from thumb to pinky helps a lot too.
What instrument is Franz Liszt associated with?
Piano. One of the greatest piano virtuosos in history.
What is an African thumb piano?
mbira
When is a thumb piano played?
any time you want
How is the thumb piano used?
A thumb piano is mostly made out of wood, like Mukwa, which is a dark red wood, or teak wood, which is a light brown color. The earlier thumb pianos where made of bamboo. Hope that helps. peace!
What is the origin of the word pianist?
Piano.
The thumb piano used in African music is called a?
ambira
What origin is piano from?
Piano is in fact Spanish as every country agreed to have Spanish as their musical language. Piano is an abbreviation of Pianoforte.
What has the author Dieter Hildebrandt written?
Dieter Hildebrandt has written: 'Piano, piano!' 'Pianoforte, a social history of the piano' -- subject(s): History, History and criticism, Pianists, Piano, Piano music, Pianistes, Histoire, Histoire et critique, Musique de Piano, Sociale aspecten, Piano's 'Die Sonne' 'Saulus/Paulus' -- subject(s): Biography, Christian saints 'Krieger denk mal!' -- subject(s): Arms race, Drama, History, National security 'Pianoforte' -- subject(s): History, History and criticism, Pianists, Piano, Piano music
If your right thumb is on the middle key on the piano what key is your pinky finger what note is it?
if your thumb is on middle c your pinky would be on g note
What Is A M'bira?
An Mbira is an instrument that developed in Africa. It is also called a thumb piano. It can be tuned by lengthening or shortening the metal keys....just look up 'thumb piano on Google, it should give you a more specific explanation there... Hope this helped :)
What is origin of term index as referred to finger?
near ur thumb
What does rule of thumb mean in English origin?
It means something that is approximate, something that may be based on experience or general practice. The origin is the 15th Century when measurements were roughly made by using the thumb as a guide
What instruments do west African storytellers use?
One would be the thumb piano. There are undoubtedly others.
