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The African Kalimba or Thumb Piano

2 more pictures above in notes! :)

A few years ago, Steve and I went to an art festival in Ashland, Oregon, and met a man who had an amazing display of these unusual and beautiful musical instruments. We loved the way they looked and bought one to display as artwork in our home, though we do enjoy making our ears bleed from time to time while we try to pluck our way through Chopsticks.

From Wiki:
The thumb piano or kalimba is an African musical instrument, a type of plucked idiophone (lamellophone) common throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Also known as a "sansa" and "mbira", it is popular throughout central, western and eastern Africa. It was formerly known as the Negro piano. (Note from Janet: grrrrrrrrr!!!!!! I detest racism!!) The kalimba is played by holding the instrument in the hands and plucking the tines with the thumbs. (For the entire article, please visit Wiki: Wikipedia: Thumb Piano

If you would like to hear a beautiful piece of music played on this instrument, please watch and listen! Soothing Musical Instrument Kalimba

This is another piece of music to listen to! Danny Boy on a Kalimba

Dubonnet found this lovely piece too! The Butterfly - Celtic music on Kalimba. Thanks for the recommendation! :)
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12 comments

Julien Rappaport said:

Une sacrément belle photo ! , bravo
11 years ago

Dave Hilditch said:

I've never seen one of these before, Janet, so thanks for posting. Love the intricate detail and beautiful colour. Can't imagine what it does to your thumbs though!
Have a great day!
11 years ago

Don Sutherland said:

Great capture.
11 years ago ( translate )

Heidi-Erica said:

Gran foto.,felicitaciones
11 years ago ( translate )

Keith Burton said:

I'd never heard of this unique musical instrument before now...........and now I not only know what it looks like, I've heard what it sounds like thanks to your lovely photo and accompanying notes/links. Every day is a school day here on Ipernity!!

Thanks for sharing :)
11 years ago

Pam J said:

My dearest and oldest friend Keithy who sadly died 18mths after i arrived here used to have about 40 zillion different instruments.. and made many ! He had a rough one of these!! Yours is beautiful !!!!!!!
11 years ago

Jim Boynton said:

Amazing what soothing sounds can come from such odd looking instruments. Danny Boy is always wonderful to hear no matter what is used...one of my favourite songs.
11 years ago

Jim Boynton said:

Ok, my bad. I thought I would look at this again after seeing the non textured shot and have changed my mind. Of the two this one is better. I didn't notice the music texture before...it does really add to the shot.
11 years ago

William Sutherland said:

Splendid composition!
11 years ago ( translate )

Levina de Ruijter said:

I'm browsing in the wrong direction and expressed my amazement with the other image of this unique and beautiful instrument. I like the texture here. Suits the subject very well. Lovely image, Janet.
11 years ago

tiabunna said:

Quite a beautiful instrument, I do like this shot of it with the texture background. I'd never heard of these before, but I'm enjoying it in the background as I write this. Seen in www.ipernity.com/group/prime-lenses.
11 years ago

Stan Askew said:

great photo ... love the processing!
seen in Earth Tones
11 years ago