Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, An African instrument, the Thumb Piano, is closely associated with the Kalimba. It is also referred to by alternative names such as the Mbira or Likembe. While they all have a similar appearance, they naturally produce different sounds. These instruments have been around for thousands of years. Initially, the keys were made of bamboo, but over time, they were replaced with metal keys. In the early 1900s, the thumb piano came to be known as the Kalimba.
In ancient times, it was believed that the thumb piano (Mbira, Kalimba) projected its sound into heaven and was even thought to attract spirits to the earthly realm. Some of these spirits were believed to be malevolent, and the music would stop until the spirits had left the area. Now, let’s explore the craftsmanship of the piano.
The piano is made of rosewood, and its soundboard is constructed from spruce. It is available in various tunings. On the back of the instrument, there are two vibrato holes, and the player can alter the sound by moving their fingers over or through these holes.
Typically, the piano is played solo, and the tuning is not as crucial as when playing with another musician. However, if playing with another musician, it becomes important to be mindful of the tunings. The lower keys produce lower pitches, while the higher keys produce higher pitches. All the keys on the piano can be tuned by adjusting the metal components inward or outward.
The lower keys are positioned in the center of the wooden box, while the higher keys are placed around the outer edges. This instrument from the Dobani brand produces a truly amazing sound. The thumb piano, also known as the finger piano, belongs to the family of bar percussion instruments and is crafted with great precision.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
