Mbira facts for kids

The mbira or kalimba is an African musical instrument.

Images for kids

A Zimbabwean mbira dza vadzimu
Tuning chart for the Tracey 15-note alto kalimba.
mbira dzavadzimu tuning and key layout * Same color keys are the same notes (usually octaves) * Key “1” is the lowest note, ascending to the highest note key “23” * Key “2” is often only found on the mavembe tuning * Some mbira have extra keys (e.g. extra “17” on left side, or higher notes on the right beyond key “23” are most common) * Note intervals can vary, but all the octaves are divided into a heptatonic scale, many being diatonic or at least nearly diatonic * This diagram does not represent every mbira dzavadzimu, but does represent the most common layout * The key numbering and color codes portrayed here are arbitrary and simply to communicate the layout (not traditional approach)
Mbira dzavadzimu in a deze.
A Zimbabwean matepe
A Kalimba player in Brazil by Eduard Hildebrandt (1846).
An example of a Marimbula in Haiti.
Sanza
Signature Series Gravikord
Hugh Tracey treble kalimba
An octagonal mbira of high craftsmanship which spans two octaves.