Mbira

Object/Artifact

-

Black Heritage Library

Mbira: A mbira/thumb piano made of wood with a hole for resonance, and thin strips of metal that are the keys. The metal strips vary in length to create different notes, and every third key is a slightly different color
Mbira

A mbira/thumb piano made of wood with a hole for resonance, and thin strips of metal that are the keys. The metal strips vary in length to create different notes, and every third key is a slightly different color

Name/Title

Mbira

Description

A mbira, sometimes known as a thumb piano, is an instrument made of a wooden body with a hole for resonance and thin strips of metal or keys that can be played by the user's thumbs. The metal strips vary in length to create different notes, and every third key is a slightly different color

Use

Musical instrument

Context

This link includes a history of the mbira and an audio recording of instrument. https://qwest.tv/media/discover-the-mbira-a-brief-history/

Collection

Instruments

Cataloged By

gifforde@findlay.edu

Other Name

Thumb piano

Material

Wood, Metal

Web Links and URLs

Mbira - Thumb Piano of Africa

Created By

gifforde@findlay.edu

Create Date

May 24, 2023

Updated By

ferris@findlay.edu

Update Date

September 22, 2023