Product Description
I recently returned from Zimbabwe where I had a chance to meet with Cypren Vambe and one of his sons Richard who produced a short performance which was fabulous. Hand made from a block of carefully selected wood which is stained and sun dried prior to making the mbira so as not to interfere with the instruments acoustics. It has 22 metal squarish keys and has a particularly great tone to it with decent sustain. When each key is made they use a master mbira to adjust each key to sound the same as that master mbiras keys ensuring it is tuned correctly. This is the primary instrument of the Shona Zezuru people of Zimbabwe and has been for hundreds of years where the instrument first originated. In a typical mbira band performance there would be 4 mbira players, one playing bass, another playing rhythm, a sub rhythm player, a lead and finally a dancer! The keys may be adjusted up/down on the board to alter the tune. This could make a great gift. A typical mbira dzavadzimu consists of between 22 and 28 keys constructed from hot- or cold-forged metal affixed to a hardwood soundboard (gwariva) in three different registers-two on the left, one on the right While playing, the little finger of the right hand is placed through a hole in the bottom right corner of the soundboard, stabilizing the instrument and leaving thumb and index finger of the right hand open to pluck keys in the right register from above and below. The left hand is cupped around the left side of the instrument, with all fingers but the thumb placed behind the instrument. Both registers on the left side of the instrument are played with the left thumb. Bottle caps, shells or other objects ("machachara"[2]) are often affixed to the soundboard to create a buzzing sound when the instrument is played. In a traditional setting, this sound is considered extremely important, as it is believed to attract the ancestral spirits. Note: each is handmade so wood patina & metal may differ slightly but will be similar.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #45924 in Musical Instruments
- Brand: Cypren Vambe
Features
- 22 metal squarish keys
- Nyamaropa tuned by Cypren, Gentle tone
- Lovely pre-stained Soundboard
- Compare this to other mbiras online retailing for over $150
- Shipped Quickly from California!
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
By Harpoon
I received this item very poorly packaged with some loose and some crooked keys. The wooden base is also very rough and the keys are quite sharp. I understand the origins of the instrument but expected a better finished product. I will have to do some filing and polishing to make it more comfortable to play.
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