What is a mbira?
The Mbira is an African musical instrument, traditional to the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
How do you play a mbira?
They consist of a wooden board (often fitted with a resonator) with attached staggered metal tines, played by holding the instrument in the hands and plucking the tines with the thumbs (at minimum), the right forefinger (most mbira), and sometimes the left forefinger.
What is the pitch of an mbira?
The pitch of an mbira is a matter of personal or regional preference, ranging from high to very low. Each instrument has a range of 3 to 3 1/2 octaves. Octave relationships in the layout of the keys are consistent even when the intervals are different.
What is the tuning of the mbira?
Many different mbira tunings are used, and each group of villages typically has its own tuning. The pitch of an mbira is a matter of personal or regional preference, ranging from high to very low. Each instrument has a range of 3 to 3 1/2 octaves. Octave relationships in the layout of the keys are consistent even when the intervals are different.
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What is the mbira made of?
Mbira consists of a row of metal strips, used as key, attached to an open-ended wooden gourd or hollow resonator. They keys vary in length, with the longer ones placed in the centre, and each length determines the key's pitch.
What sound does a mbira?
When the keys of the mbira are struck, they ring on in the gourd resonator with rich and sonorous tones "like bells," as one musician has suggested, or like flutes, as a line of classic poetry accompanying mbira music implies.
How is the mbira instrument played?
They consist of a wooden board (often fitted with a resonator) with attached staggered metal tines, played by holding the instrument in the hands and plucking the tines with the thumbs (at minimum), the right forefinger (most mbira), and sometimes the left forefinger.
What is another name for the mbira?
The mbira is also known as the thumb piano, because one's thumbs are used to pluck (or more accurately depress and release) the metal strips (tongues or lamellas) that sound particular notes.
Who created the mbira?
Popularized in the 1950s through a Westernized version designed by British ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey (christened in this context as a kalimba), the mbira left its original land and its pure musical tradition to enter current music scenes where it has since flourished in various and unexpected forms.
What was the first ever instrument?
The oldest musical instrument in the world, a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal flute is a treasure of global significance. It was discovered in Divje babe cave near Cerkno and has been declared by experts to have been made by Neanderthals. It is made from the left thighbone of a young cave bear and has four pierced holes.
What do mbira dancers wear?
There is no particular dressing for mbira dancers but they also tend to put on skirt like attire for uniformity. Dancers may also use props like walking sticks, head- dress and several others depending on the context of the performance.
What is the meaning of mbira?
Definition of mbira : an African musical instrument that consists of a wooden or gourd resonator and a varying number of tuned metal or wooden strips that vibrate when plucked.
How do I make a child in mbira?
0:101:55How to make a Mbira - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can put down the wire. And use a copper pipe to put pressure on it. File down the edges to makeMoreYou can put down the wire. And use a copper pipe to put pressure on it. File down the edges to make it nice and smooth drill some holes in the pipe.
Why is there a hole in the mbira?
You hold the mbira by the main wooden soundboard with the little finger of your right hand placed through a hole in the bottom right corner of the soundboard for balance, with the ring finger and middle finger reaching around the back to stabilise the instrument.
When did mbira music start?
Reported by European travelers as early as 1586, the mbira is found in the same areas as the xylophone, to which its tuning is similar and with which it shares several local names. It was taken by enslaved Africans to Latin America, where it developed into a number of unique forms.
What is the instrument that you play with your thumbs?
Kalimba, or the "Thumb Piano"
How do you pronounce an array in mbira?
0:020:32How to Pronounce Mbira? (CORRECTLY) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis word that has an unusual spelling simply embira ra if you want to roll your all like theMoreThis word that has an unusual spelling simply embira ra if you want to roll your all like the africans. Often do you can also say ambira embira otherwise simply say an english american.
What is the meaning of mbira?
Definition of mbira : an African musical instrument that consists of a wooden or gourd resonator and a varying number of tuned metal or wooden strips that vibrate when plucked.
What is the difference between mbira and kalimba?
While there are a few subtle differences between the kalimba and the mbira, including a double row of keys on the mbira and a single row of keys on the kalimba, the major difference between the two instruments is in their scales.
What is the balafon made of?
The Balafon is made using various types of wood. Bene wood and bamboo are some of the most popular materials, as they are known to be highly durable and flexible. The wood is shaved down to the right key size and then dried over a slow burning fire.
What is the pitch of a Mbira?
The pitch of an mbira is a matter of personal or regional preference, ranging from high to very low. Each instrument has a range of 3 to 3 1/2 octaves.
How many keys are in a Mbira?
The type of mbira shown here, of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, consists of 22 to 28 metal keys mounted on a gwariva (hardwood soundboard) made from wood of the mubvamaropa tree (Pterocarpus angolensis).
What do you put on a Mbira soundboard?
Either metal beads strung on a wire, or bottle tops/shells/other shakers mounted on a metal plate, are placed on the lower portion of the mbira soundboard to add a buzz which varies from a soft shimmering hiss to a tambourine-like sound. Bottle tops or shells are also mounted on the deze to increase the texture of the tone.
Why is buzz important in Mbira?
The buzz is considered an essential part of the mbira sound, required to clear the mind of thoughts and worries so that the music fills the consciousness of both musicians and listeners. The buzz adds depth and context to the clear tones of the mbira keys, and sometimes may be heard as whispering voices, singing, tapping, knocking, wind or rain. The buzz also increases the volume of the mbira.
What is the mutsigo on a calabash deze?
A mutsigo (small stick) is used to wedge the mbira securely inside the deze. Due to recurrent droughts, the deze is now often made of yellow or black fiberglass molded on a calabash deze.
What is a Mbira?
The mbira consists of a series of tuned metal or bamboo tongues (lamellae) attached at one end to a soundboard that often has a calabash or box resonator. (The related mbila has tin-can resonators.) At the fixed end, the tongues are pressed down over two bridges by a metal bar.
What is the purpose of a Mbira?
Use of a mbira to detect toxic substances and counterfeit medications.
Where did the Mbira originate?
Reported by European travelers as early as 1586, the mbira is found in the same areas as the xylophone, to which its tuning is similar and with which it shares several local names. It was taken by enslaved Africans to Latin America, where it developed into a number of unique forms.
What is a Mbira soundboard?
The mbira consists of a series of tuned metal or bamboo tongues (lamellae) attached at one end to a soundboardthat often has a calabash or box resonator. (The related mbilahas tin-can resonators.) At the fixed end, the tongues are pressed down over two bridges by a metal bar. Tuning is adjusted by sliding the tongues to alter their vibrating length.
What is the significance of the Mbira?
The Mbira is played for important Shona ceremonies, such as the bira, an all-night spirit possession ceremony. For these ceremonies, the mbira is accompanied by hand-clapping, singing, and percussion instruments. The Shona believe that the music of the mbira connects them to their ancestors.
What is the Mbira instrument?
The Mbira is an instrument from the African continent. It is sometimes called the ‘thumb piano’ because it is played with the thumbs and one finger. The mbira is made of 22 to 28 metal keys attached to a hardwood soundboard called the gwariva, usually placed inside a large gourd to amplify the sound. The metal keys are plucked with both thumbs and the forefinger of the right hand. The thumbs pluck downward on the keys. The forefinger plucks upward from beneath the keys.
What is the difference between Kalimba and Mbira?
While there are a few subtle differences between the kalimba and the mbila, including a double row of keys on the mbira and a single row of keys on the kalimba, the major difference between the two instruments is in their scales. 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. Some notes may even be missing. Because of the kalimba’s diatonic scale, every two-note combination creates a diatonic interval, making it easy to create harmonies.
What is the Mbira Dzavadzimu?
The Mbira dzavadzimu is a lamellaphone idiophone of the Zezuru Shona people of Zimbabwe. It is closely associated with traditional spirit possession ceremonies. These ceremonies, known as bira, are the primary context in which the mbira dzavadzimu is played, but it also has come to be incorporated in other settings more secular in nature. In recent decades, this instrument has become the most widely known form of Zimbabwean lamellaphone. This rise to prominence is often associated with the surge in nationalism that led to the Zimbabwean independence struggle of the 1970s. Music played on the mbira dzavadzimu became a source of nationalistic pride and came to index indigenous identity. The secularization and popularization of the mbira dzavadzimu continued after the independence movement as popular music groups began to incorporate traditional musical instruments and styles into contemporary musical forms. This synthesis of traditional and popular music was most notably done by Thomas Mapfumo. As the focus of scholarly writings and recordings published by American ethnomusicologist Paul Berliner in the 1970s, the mbira dzavadzimu came to the attention of an international audience.
What is the instrument called that people play in Africa?
Another “easy to learn, play, and take” instrument. Kalimba is a popular musical instrument in Africa where it was originated (also known as a thumb piano, etc.), and is now loved by people all over the world. It sounds very like a traditional music box.
What are the physical features of a guitar?
The physical features of the instrument include a wooden sound box, attached on the face are flexible metal or bamboo keys (also called tines or reeds) of varied lengths which give each specific pitch. Performers pluck or stroke the keys with the thumbs.
What is the name of the instrument that is played with both hands?
The 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 are the sounds of the Mbira?
The sounds that come out of the Mbira also consist of rhythmic buzzing described as vibrational quivers and rattles.
What are the sounds that come out of the Mbira?
The sounds that come out of the Mbira also consist of rhythmic buzzing described as vibrational quivers and rattles.
What is the percussional vibrating part of the Mbira?
The percussional vibrating parts of the Mbira are known as the machachara. The machachara is generally affixed to a metal strip that spans across the gwariva. The most traditional material used to create it are loose bottle caps attached with wire ties.
What is the difference between a Kalimba and a Mbira?
The similarity comes from the Kalimba was created by being based on the Mbira. The difference between an Mbira and Kalimba is firstly age, with the Kalimba being the child of the original Mbira. From there, building and tine material can ...
What is a Mbira sound board?
The Mbira consists of a sounding board/box of hardwood with multiple flexible strips of bamboo, metal, wood, or another type of flexible material attached to it. These strips can be tuned and then plucked to produce sound.
What is the scale of a Kalimba?
The Kalimba is based on and produces the typical Western seven-note scale. It is easier for a player to create harmonies with themself on the Kalimba.
What is a Kalimba?
Kalimba. The Kalimba is a similar instrument wholly based on Mbira, just a more modern take. Created in the 1950s/1960s, the Kalimba is smaller and produces a sweeter sound than its bigger, deeper parent-instrument. The Kalimba has single-rows of tines all the way across, which causes incredible variations in their playable scales.
Where did the Mbira originate?
Reported by European travelers as early as 1586, the mbira is found in the same areas as the xylophone, to which its tuning is similar and with which it shares several local names. It was taken by enslaved Africans to Latin America, where it developed into a number of unique forms. Many of these Latin American instruments are known by some variant of the term marimba.
Why expaining different aspects of Mbira?
P:S: Reason for expaining different aspects of mbira is that whoever reads it gets an fair idea about this musical instrument.
What is a Mbira soundboard?
The mbira consists of a series of tuned metal or bamboo tongues (lamellae) attached at one end to a soundboard that often has a calabash or box resonator. (The related mbila has tin-can resonators.) At the fixed end, the tongues are pressed down over two bridges by a metal bar. Tuning is adjusted by sliding the tongues to alter their vibrating length.
What is the name of the instrument called Kalimba?
Well, the kalimba is a lamellophone instrument, also known as mbila, mbira, marimba, karimba, karimbao, likembe, okeme, nhare, matepe, njari, sansu, zanzu, ubo, changüí, marimbula, tom, thom, toom, thoom, thumb piano; and probably more, if you look hard enough.
Is kalimba the same as kalimba?
They are different names of the same African instrument. I just use kalimba, because that was the first one I’ve heard. An instrument that fits in a bigger pocket. Learning to play a simple melody on this instrument is easier than learning all its names.
Instrument Construction
- The type of mbira shown here, of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, consists of 22 to 28 metal keys mounted on a gwariva (hardwood soundboard) made from wood of the mubvamaropa tree (Pterocarpus angolensis). Although the metal keys were originally smelted directly from rock containing iron ore, now they are made of steel from bed springs, bicycle spokes...
Playing Technique
- The mbira is played with the two thumbs stroking down and the right forefinger stroking up. Learn more about playing technique.
Shimmery Buzz – Why?
- The buzz is considered an essential part of the mbira sound, required to clear the mind of thoughts and worries so that the music fills the consciousness of both musicians and listeners. The buzz adds depth and context to the clear tones of the mbira keys, and sometimes may be heard as whispering voices, singing, tapping, knocking, wind or rain. The buzz also increases th…
Mbira Tunings
- Many different mbira tunings are used, and each group of villages typically has its own tuning. The pitch of an mbira is a matter of personal or regional preference, ranging from high to very low. Each instrument has a range of 3 to 3 1/2 octaves. Octave relationshipsin the layout of the keys are consistent even when the intervals are different. The only requirement is that, traditionally, t…