Mbira

This mbira (or thumb piano) is from Zimbabwe. Other names for the mbira are malimba, kalimba, likembe, agidigbo, and sansa kalimba. The tines are often hammered from bicycle spokes or chair springs and the whole instrument is sewn together with wire.

To play the mbira, hold it in both hands with the metal tines pointing towards you and pluck them with your thumbs. It is a quiet instrument and is usually played inside a gourd bowl to increase the volume, but just placing it on a table top will make it louder.

Want to hear what it sounds like? You can play an mbira online, thanks to David Bellinger.