thumb piano

noun

1. any of various African boxlike musical instruments, such as the kalimba or mbira, having tuned strips of metal or wood that vibrate when played with the thumbs.

thumb piano

noun

1. another name for mbira

Word History and Origins

Origin of thumb piano¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

And the ingenious, rhythm-forward production of “Boomerang” makes her obsession sound like a village-wide celebration, with the plink of a thumb piano, flamenco-like handclaps, a thudding reggaeton bass line and a rowdy backup chorus that cheerfully supports her misplaced affections.

From New York Times

“We ended up recording every note of a thumb piano, and only every eighth pluck of it sounded great.”

From Los Angeles Times

The mbira, or thumb piano, provided the main current, joined by percussion and guitar and topped by vocals in many languages other than English: ululations, choral harmonies, the growl or patter of McIntosh Jerahuni, the clarion call of the wonderful Fatima Katiji.

From New York Times

A rhythm is played on the metal keys of a thumb piano, known as a "ichyembe", as we reach a collection of huts 30 minutes into the forest.

From BBC

Boima’s subsequent remix of Sorie’s song “Without Money, No Family” paved the way for the pair’s ongoing collaboration as Kondi Band, named for Sorie’s 15-pin thumb piano, which lends an undulating backbone to glittering, electronic compositions that draw on West African traditions and contemporary dance music.

From New York Times