thumb piano

American  

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.

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thumb piano British  

noun

1. another name for mbira

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Etymology

Origin of thumb piano

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thumb piano

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

From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2023

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 ● Mar. 22, 2022

Here’s a kalimba, an African thumb piano with metal tines that plink like a music box.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 15, 2021

She accompanies herself on a kalimba, an African thumb piano.

From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2014

Pick your expert, locate their weaknesses, make sweet, pretentious love to their aesthetic sensibilities and you too could be walking away with a grand for your thumb piano.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 8, 2011