Chigamba Mbira: Left and right hands together.

[@MrNicofrog]

i once was questioning an mbira player as to key and he said"I Don't do letters" The western tuning system,originated in Africa,but is flawed in its simplicity. BEAUTIFUL instructional videos .Ive never seen an mbira in a "store" kinda glad of that. I revere mbira,and I have played kalimba for 15 years without getting a single Shona moment on mbira..perhaps with the videos ,and time sweet time.

[@billwesley]

this is awesome, videos like this are so needed. Most musicians forget the listener does not have touch to help, even the musician themselves listening to a recording later wonders what they were doing in the recording! We need nice slow instruction not just to learn to play these phrases but to hear them, hearing like seeing is not automatic, it takes practice. This video shows music theorists world wide just exactly how sophisticated mbira music can be. It also suggests how other instruments might imitate or accompany the mbira. keep these coming!

[@Olisepazed]

I just got my Mbira too and I am using your posting to learn. Thank you so much.

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

That's the definitive "go to" site. And in my opinion the best place to purchase an Mbira. I purchased the one in the video at a workshop with Ms. Azim. The money from instrument and recording purchases go to the makers in Zimbabwe. The quality and consistency is unmatched. Listening and feeling are critical parts of Mbira playing. There are many recordings and piece intensives available also and are recommended. Where are you?

[@benitocorleone]

A very useful video, thanks for spending the time to upload :)

[@lycrest15]

just got my mbira, am learning alot from your vid, thank you!! please, continue the work..

[@MrNicofrog]

thand fortunately I have on, but been too far from bay area (sonoma County) and I do not much resonate with ms. Kundidzoras position . Like her MUSIC but she has shown great rudeness at time happy to find alternatives. Nico

[@herz0101]

Great sounding mbira. Rings like a bell. Where are these for sale? who makes them?

[@timebot000]

hi folks woke up to find this thread. BTW plenty mbira here in Bisbee arizona which is too far from every city but closest to Tucson'/Sierra Vista area... i play mbira dzavadzimu since 1982....waiting for more to come here!! [PS. Im known as 'Ericas first student'..PSS Ive bought some really good instruments on EBay, from Shona makers who sell thru friends in the UK...you just have to make sure the photo is the one they send and just see that its well made...imo's......peace!

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

@dianavud You're very welcome!

[@Mamakebyz]

Just bought my 7 year old mbira and i would like him to learn to play. But it only has 7 keys. Do I have to follow the same procedures? Am in Edmonton, Canada. Is there somewhere I can take him to learn to play? Thank you in advance.

[@kashi2012]

thank you for these videos

[@hugogok]

what is mixolydian tuning your talking about..Thank you for your vids..my mbira is vembe tuning..#A

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

You are welcome! I wish I knew more to show more. And feel free to correct any mistakes or offer suggestions (clarity, sound, content etc). I would REALLY like to find a slow, up-close, well lit vid of Chemtengure.

[@regina2606]

Yes, thanks for posting it. A friend of mine bought himself a mbira and he loves your postings after I downloaded them for him. You announced a "next vid" with a couple phrase variations. Is there a chance that you could post that too? Thanks a lot

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

"I don't do letters" LOL!! Great comment. Yes, I like to say that boundless music exists between the "black and white keys". You need an Mbira. You must have an Mbira. Where are you located? Mbira.org does workshops in various locations throughout the year and there are folk who play all over. You can find instruments on Ebay but I highly recommend a purchase from Mbira.org because of their committment to supporting artisans. There's also an extensive archive of recordings available.

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

Thank you for the "thank you" and for sharing with your friend. Just posted a variation.

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

You're welcome. You'll may also like "Nhemamusassa Kushaura" posted by Shumba records. Very straight forward and paced well for following along. Be well.

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

You're welcome. Do you have access to an in-person teacher?

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

You're welcome.

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

Haa-haaa! I just find adding "ish", meaning a close approximation, funny.

[@BLACKREDTAILANGEL]

The pitch is close to B. And the intervalic relationship between the keys is mixolydian-ish (LOL). I say that because neither is absolute from a Western perspective.

[@lycrest15]

i don't, i'm in a small town in the uk and there are no mbira players here, i'm relying only on people like you..