Product Information
- 6.5" by 4.5" sheesham thumb piano with 8 steel keys.
- Originating in Africa, the thumb piano is also known as the "mbira" or "likembe" and in the 1920's Dr. Hugh Tracey gave them the name most westerners recognize, the "kalimba."
- The thumb piano's metal keys are mounted on a wooden platform that acts as the resonating chamber. The longer keys have lower pitches and the shorter keys have higher pitches.
- To play, rest the thumb piano on the fingers of both hands and hold it between your palms. Then pluck the keys with your thumbs in a downward motion. Many different tunings are acceptable, according to personal preference.
- Specific tuning of a thumb piano is only an issue when two instruments are played together; then they should generally agree in tuning. Otherwise, the tuning is subjective and should only be pleasing to the player.
