thumb piano

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noun

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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Origin of thumb piano

First recorded in 1940–45

Words nearby thumb piano

thumb knot, thumbnail, thumbnail sketch, thumbnut, thumb one's nose, thumb piano, thumbpiece, thumbprint, thumbscrew, thumbs-down, thumbstall

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use thumb piano in a sentence

I sat down at the living room piano and started playing this.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On piano was legendary session man Billy Preston, who co-wrote and recorded the original version one year before Cocker's.
Joe Cocker's Deep Live Cuts|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Seth, Joe, and [Anthony] Mackie reenacting the scene from BIG on the floor piano at FAO Schwartz with KANYE WEST.
Exclusive: Sony Emails Reveal Destiny’s Child and Kanye West Movies, and Spidey Cameo in Capt. 3|William Boot|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And considering his massive music-industry thumb print, that “you oughta know” Jack Antonoff is an understatement.
The Rise of Jack Antonoff, the Taylor Swift Whisperer|Kevin Fallon|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A department store piano melody plays in the background while he admires everything he can see.
Kirk Cameron Saves Christmas from Abominable Killjoys (Other Christians)|Brandy Zadrozny|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He really seems to care almost nothing for his piano-playing or for his piano compositions.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
A splendid grand piano stands in one window (he receives a new one every year).
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
At an early hour in the evening the Farival twins were prevailed upon to play the piano.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
The very first chords which Mademoiselle Reisz struck upon the piano sent a keen tremor down Mrs. Pontellier's spinal column.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
She sat perfectly still before the piano, not touching the keys, while Robert carried her message to Edna at the window.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

British Dictionary definitions for thumb piano

thumb piano

noun

another name for mbira

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012