Description
The thumb piano, a musical instrument in the lamellophone category of idiophones, is popular in Central Africa. The instrument produces notes by striking metal reeds with the thumbs, hence the name "thumb piano." In Suriname, it is known as papai-benta and in Africa as mbira, likembe, kalimba, tshisaji, ikembe, kasayi, sansa, and akadongo k'abaluru. For the Shona, where it is called mbira, it has deep cultural significance. The marimbula from Cuba is a variant of the bass kalimba. Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire, a famous thumb piano player, named his production company after this instrument. The thumb piano usually has a series of iron reeds that vibrate when struck with the fingers. These reeds are attached to a sound box. Sometimes, spoon handles or flattened bicycle wheel spokes are used for the metal reeds, for lack of a better material. The number of reeds varies from 8 to 24, divided into two groups to give each hand a wide range. The notes are not arranged in ascending order, but rather in two parallel groups. Three transverse bridges secure the reeds, with the outer two providing support and the middle one pressing down on the lamellae to clamp them in place. Rings between the bridges around the reeds contribute to the tonal character.
