With an uncanny power to mesmerize, the kalimba is a unique instrument with ancient roots and world wide influence. Considering the ease of play, affordability and quality sound of the kalimba, it is a wonder that the instrument isn’t a household item, much less a well-used part of music.

After the video, Click Here and check out another world instrument.

Perhaps the greatest musical contribution to come from Southeastern Africa, the mbira is an ancient instrument traditionally played during the religious ceremonies and social gatherings of the Shona people. There are dozens of different “thumb pianos” found throughout Africa and other parts of the world, and it is believed that the mbira predates them all.

To amplify the sound, the mbira is often set inside a resonating chamber, usually a hollowed gourd, and to this gourd are typically attached sea shells or bottle caps to produce a certain ringing sound when the mbira is played. This unique quality is considered most important, as this ringing sound is said to invoke the spirits during ceremonies and gatherings.

After this video, Click Here to see what Hugh Tracey created when he got back from his travels to Africa, with the influence of instruments like the mbira in mind.

Another sort of thumb piano, the sansula is a percussion instrument very similar to the kalimba and mbira. What makes the sansula unique is that the keys are set on a small frame drum, which may be lifted to alter the sound and provide a special effect.

In this video, the guitar accompanies the sansula for quite the improv. After viewing, Click Here to check out another unique percussion instrument.

Thumb pianos such as the kalimba are popular throughout Africa, as Hugh Tracey discovered on his journeys. Inspired by these instruments he modified the instrument and introduced his version to the western world.

After the video, Click Here and see another original music instrument.