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Thumb
Piano
Lucinda
Ellison Musical Instruments
"Sculpture and
Sound" ™
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Artifact
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The Mbira, or Thumb Piano,
also known as Sansa or Likembe, is one of the most ancient and popular
instruments found throughout Africa. The word "mbira"
specifically refers to a particular style of thumb piano used
predominantly in the Shona culture of Zimbabwe. Recently this term "mbira"
has come to replace "thumb piano" as the more
traditional-sounding generic term for the many styles of thumb pianos and
plucked idiophones of the world. |
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For centuries the mbira has been played
by master virtuosos and little kids alike, either for ceremonies, music
ensembles, or to simply pass the time on a long walk.
Today my instruments are
used by professional studio and touring musicians, in schools, by
storytellers, music and sound therapy practitioners, art collectors, gourd
enthusiasts, and people from all walks of life who enjoy the beautiful,
relaxing qualities of the mbira.
I enjoy working with the
pattern and movement in the hardwoods and combining these with the
sensual, exotic shapes of the gourds. The simple yet evocative beauty of
the music is enhanced by the strong decorative design elements I
incorporate. |
Click
for enlargement
Quilted
Maple Vase
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Quilted
Maple
With
wide dual manual keyboard |
The mbira is easy to play
and has a quiet soothing sound. By gently striking the ends of the keys
with your thumbs, you can play familiar melodies and rhythms or improvise
your own. It is a fun instrument to play since anything you play on it
sounds good. |
| Each of my Mbiras has a
soundboard of African or Native American hardwood. This is mounted on a
dried gourd which I have hand picked to be sure that its contour and
hardness make it an ideal resonating chamber. The character and shape of
the gourd give each mbira its own sound and feel. |
Sculpted
Turtle
Click
for enlargement
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Zaire
I
Click
for enlargement
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The soundboards of my
mbiras are done with either a plain round acoustic hole, or with one of
the many figurative designs listed or pictured here. I also do custom
work. |
| Most designs may be done with any size keyboard, 8 keys, 15 keys, or
dual-manual, and with a variety of hardwoods. All gourds differ in size
and shape. Each instruments is unique. Tunings are adjustable.
Each mbira
comes with an informative instruction booklet. |
Two Chi-Wara
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I’m proud to offer the
finest thumb pianos and percussion instruments of this kind available on
the market today, and stand behind the quality, craftsmanship and
integrity of the materials I use in each of my pieces.
PRODUCT DETAILS AND
PRICE LIST
Images are all links to enlargements with details
and prices
Hummingbirds
Kokopelli |
8-10 key
plain
dual manual plain |
Turtle |
F - Holes |
15 Key, plain
and with stripe |
Lizards |
OM |
Dancers |
Tree |
Dolphin
New
Design! |
 STORYTELLER
NECKLACES
The thumb piano has been
used in storytelling throughout Africa for centuries. The
Griots there incorporate it with their dance, stories, and song
performances. After meeting several storytellers over the
years, I had a request for a small thumb piano that could be worn
around the neck while being used during a story performance.
T he
first ones were rather simple, on a plain leather cord, but now
I love to design more elaborate bead necklaces that each has a story
of its own. These necklaces have a full scale just like the
larger models, yet are higher in pitch (according to the length
of the keys), and are a bit quieter. Very fun to wear and
play! I do many, many different combinations of beads on these pieces,
please call me for special requests or to find out what my current
selection includes.
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SCULPTURE/WALL
PIECES
Occasionally
I will do a few pieces that are more decorative than functional,
though each will have some sort of musical sound that it may create.
The Mask on the left has an Mbira on its reverse side, Amazon has
a shield/rattle, and Osage Queen is holding a gourd rattle. Please
contact me about similar pieces.
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