What is the name of musical instrument used to play mbira?

The Mbira or African thumb piano (other identifying names include: kalimba – contemporary term; the most popular term is either sansa, or mbira) is a percussive instrument originating from Africa. The instrument, also used in Cuban music, is generally held with both hands and played with the thumbs.

What is the difference between mbira and kalimba?

The kalimba is actually a smaller, modern version of the mbira, which dates back more than 1,000 years in Zimbabwe. The kalimba features the seven-note diatonic scale used in traditional Western music while the non-western scale of the mbira features the same notes but not in the same order.

How much does mbira cost?

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What is another name for the mbira?

Mbira, also called mbila sansa, kilembe, likembe, timbrh, or thumb piano, plucked idiophone (instrument whose sounding parts are resonant solids belonging to the body of the instrument itself)—or more specifically, a lamellaphone—that is unique to Africa and widely distributed throughout the continent.

What makes the mbira unique?

The first mbiras were created more than 3,000 years ago on the African continent, and were made of wood. More recent versions are made of wood with metal keys, or tines. The mbira’s unique tone is described as inharmonic—a dissonance that occurs when the motion of one tine creates a vibration in an adjacent tine.

What family is the Kalimba in?

The thumb piano, also known as a kalimba or mbira (or many other names), is an instrument originating in Africa. It is a member of the idiophone family, meaning that it is an instrument whose sound is produced primarily by the instrument vibrating without the use of strings or membranes.

Is it hard to play the kalimba?

There is no secret that kalimba is one of the easiest instruments you can learn. Unlike the regular piano, you won’t have dozens of keys, and complex chords and scales you should learn. This means that beginners that possess even a hint of musicality can learn to play something in a matter of minutes.

How much does Kalimba cost?

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