African music instrument: The thumb piano

The thumb piano is one the popular music instruments originating from Africa. It is a type of idiophone, which includes instruments that vibrate without the need for strings or membranes. It is very common in Sub-Saharan Africa and is popularly used even in the Western world. Famous musicians such as Garikayi Tirikoti, Ephat Mujuru, and Stella Chiweshe use the thumb piano for their music, as well as pop and jazz singers like Earth, Wind and Fire, Imogen Heap, Bjork, and Jens Lekman. 

History

Over thousands of years, hundreds of different types of thumb piano have been developed. The names also evolved in different regions and places. This kind of instrument is known as Mbira, Hurdy Gurdy, Marimba, Kalimba, Okeme, Likembe, and Marimbula, among other names.

Thumb pianos are made by attaching metal tines of different lengths to a wooden board. The longest tines are placed in the middle of the board, while the shorter ones are arranged in an ascending order on both sides. The instrument is usually played by supporting the board and striking the keys.

The thumb piano is traditionally used for various reasons. In Zimbabwe, the national instrument Mbira has been used for more than 1500 years in religious ceremonies and rituals.

The Sound

With interlocking patterns and polyrhythmic cycles, the thumb piano creates a classic and unique sound. A skilful thumb pianist can overlap and intermingle the different tones of the tines to make it sound like an orchestra. When several players collaborate, they can mix the cycles of patterns, producing a warm and intricate rhythm.

The unique sound that the thumb piano can produce is due to its musical structure. The traditional mbira music composition involves 48 beats and four phases of 12 beats. The tines and the tuning are crucial factors that can affect the sound of the thumb piano. It is important that a person understands the tines in order to produce a certain kind of music.

Popularity

Since 1920, the thumb piano has become a widely known and used instrument in different parts of the world. Thanks to an English ethnomusicologist named Hugh Tracey, he helped in promoting the thumb piano by recording and documenting the various tunings and note layouts of kalimbas for about 30 years.

The kalimba then became a part of new music. It is often combined with live-electronics. Several manufacturers are offering different variants of thumb pianos. However, you have to make sure that you know the differences between them in order to buy the right instrument for you.

By: Tutis Kivite

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Africa Global News Publication