Beyond the Kalimba. The Unique Sounds of Mbira and Sansula

MBIRA
Mbira is a type of African musical instrument that falls under the idiophone category. It is also known as a thumb piano, finger harp or likembe, and is indigenous to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. The instrument is made of a wooden board with attached staggered metal keys, often in a horseshoe shape, and is played by plucking the keys with the thumbs while the fingers hold onto the instrument. Traditionally, the sound board of the mbira is made from the wood of the Mubvamaropa tree.

Plucked idiophones and lamellaphones have been part of African culture for centuries. Initially, bamboo was used to create the tines of these instruments, but eventually, metal keys were developed. The invention of these instruments seems to have occurred twice in Africa - wooden or bamboo-tined instruments emerged on the west coast around 3,000 years ago, while metal-tined lamellophones appeared in the Zambezi River valley about 1,300 years ago. These instruments became popular across the continent and were adopted by indigenous groups in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, including the Shona, who coined the term 'mbira'.

There are various types of mbira with different numbers of keys and notes, with some having as many as 28 keys. The mbira is played in traditional Shona music and is often used in rituals and ceremonies, such as the Bira ceremony, which is a traditional Shona religious ceremony to communicate with ancestors.

Mbira music is characterized by a polyrhythmic and cyclical structure, with complex interlocking patterns played by multiple players. The music is often accompanied by singing and dancing, and the mbira is often played in ensembles along with other instruments, such as the hosho (a type of rattle).

The mbira has gained international recognition and has been adopted by musicians outside of Africa, such as the American composer and musician Philip Glass, who has incorporated the instrument into some of his compositions.

Although various groups across Africa had their own unique tunings, note layouts, and designs, the original metal-tined instrument from 1,300 years ago is hypothesized to have had a specific tuning and note layout known as the 'kalimba core'. In the 1950s, ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey created the kalimba, a Westernized version of the mbira based on the original African instrument, which led to its widespread distribution outside of Africa.

The Array Mbira, a contemporary handcrafted musical instrument, has a unique tone that sets it apart from others. Its inventor, Bill Wesley, produces it in collaboration with Patrick Hadley in San Diego, California, USA. The Array Mbira is a complete overhaul of the African Mbira and belongs to the lamellaphone family.

The Array Mbira has been designed from scratch to create outstanding sound quality, making it an extension of the traditional African Mbira instrument. Visually, the main difference between the Array Mbira and other instruments is its extensive look and unique sound. It has 150 tines grouped into multiple octaves, producing a far wider range of musical composition possibilities than the Kalimba or any other thumb piano.

To play the mbira, you first need to obtain a high-quality instrument in a tuning that suits your preferences. Once you have your mbira, learn how to hold and play it comfortably to avoid discomfort while playing. Next, listen to recordings of mbira music and select your favorite songs. You can learn how to play them by ear or with the help of mbira tablature. Practice playing alone, with others, and along with free practice tracks to improve your skills. To become a master, you must learn about mbira chords and the seven master progressions. Once you have mastered these, you can experiment with note substitutions and improvisation exercises to unlock a vast array of possibilities in your playing.

SANSULA
The Sansula is a modern version of the mbira or kalimba, which is one of the oldest African thumb pianos. It is essentially a kalimba mounted on a drum head. Peter Hokema, the designer of the instrument, placed the kalimba on the frame drum to allow for amplification without the need for a separate gourd or "deze," as is traditionally used in Zimbabwean mbira music. This unique design enables the player to create lush "wah wah" effects by manipulating air, as well as to play the drum membrane and wood block percussively to achieve a bass drum and snare effect while producing beautiful overtones. Some musicians also use magnets on the tines to alter the notes while playing.

Many modern versions of Sansula are available on Amazon.