If Bach Were From Zimbabwe-Prelude and Fugue in C on mbiras (thumb pianos)

[@Beanzo]

Check out this cool instrument! The mbira (also called thumb piano) is an African instrument related to the kalimba that is used all over Africa but especially by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Last summer I had the opportunity to meet an amazing mbira player in Zimbabwe named Forward Kwenda, and he gave me a few lessons and had this mbira made for me! He is an incredible mbira player and a really cool guy, and you can find some of his music here: chawapiwa.bandcamp.com/album/chawapiwa Also, yes I painted my nails for this video 😛 (Growing out your nails isn't required to play mbira, but it makes it a lot easier to pluck the keys.)

[@AndeMarimba]

Pretty cool! Your mbira sounds like it needs to be played a lot more the break in the keys. Then the overtones will mellow out and the tone will be warmer. I appreciate the creativity though. I'm pretty sure if Bach was from Zimbabwe he would've just played matepe...up to 7 polyphonic voices easily!

[@jhawkins0605]

For anyone interested in more info, these are known as Mbira Dzavadzimu. There's another, arguably more fascinating Mbira, commonly called the Matepe. I'd really like to hear this on a Matepe (Mbira Dza Mhondoro). And even more, I'd like to hear Satie's Gymnopédie No. 1, or something equally spacious yet ethereal. Check this out: this is my teacher, friend, and Master of Zimbabwean style Marimba and Mbira, Joel Laviolette's album. This album is on my Desert Island Disc list, top 5. music.kzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_nmKGk-MTMcxrBBW4TGM8zguZC9B46JJr0&feature=share

[@kena4977]

This video isn't ripe yet. Came here after the algorithm recommended a 12 year old video of another Mbira song. See you in 11 years though. Beautiful songs though.

[@billwesley]

Amazing how appropriate Bach sounds on the mbira, the melodic lines are clearer than the original instrumentation!

[@guillaumecaucheteux3108]

These are the moments that make me believe I've had a great idea by subscribing to your channel! Your content is great!

[@psyQuantum]

Amazes me this hasn’t blown up yet.

[@hannahem8604]

Gosh, I love it!!

[@armandobejarano807]

the sound is beautifull

[@Nekoandpiano]

Oh, God! This is unbelievable! So wonderful! As a Kalimba player, subscribed;)

[@dibaldgyfm9933]

These mbiras are tuned and kind of have been subject to bachifization, well tempered, tuned and with lots of tones. That is fine with me! :) ❤ The fuga! Wow! That is beautiful, more so than on piano ;-)

[@Psionetics]

So cool!! Best thing I've seen all day

[@andreamaciel8453]

Beautiful sounds

[@narnodel2]

Excellent ! Congratulations for this excellent work, I really like the way you manage the alterations with these mbiras appearing and disappearing. Nice video editing !

[@luthfianurrahmi]

High appreciation! Please cover another bach !

[@millennial8441]

Very cool! Congrats!

[@redstarbykanamatov9832]

amazing sound

[@SoggySandwich80]

Thank you for not forgetting the fugue

[@princeobasi]

Amazing! Absolutely brilliant!

[@aj76257]

Wonderful! I love the way the fugue sounds. I got to see a live performance of this instrument in my world music class and I love the way counterpoint works with several mbiras.

[@PieroMinayaRojas]

Finally KZbin recommends something good

[@reyquiroz4287]

Dude, how do you not have at least 100k subs?? XD

[@jsteel89]

"Im only come when Im needed"

[@fridaychen8]

This, AAwesome!! Does anyone know why some Mbiras were moving in and out of the shot?

[@Beanzo]

Those are tuning changes, since the mbira doesn’t have quite enough keys to play all of the necessary accidentals at once

[@anthonyaccordionist2047]

I love this.

[@patrickleahey4574]

Delightful!

[@joeyocom5087]

I have 4 from Namibia made by someone from Zimbabwe 2 are nyunga nyunga.

[@ZacSladePants]

Beautiful sound to these instruments. What's going on with those bracelets? I never managed to get a good look at the artifact they support -- are they watches?

[@Beanzo]

Yep! Well to be exact, it's one watch (and just one mbira as well)

[@ZacSladePants]

@@Beanzo oh jeez! I thought it was cool you all had the same bracelet -- I only just realized it's all the same Haha. That's really cool. Nice video

[@luksalter8200]

I would like to see more game covers....

[@Beanzo]

Don’t worry they’re coming! My next one will be a Zelda cover

[@luksalter8200]

Beanzo ho,good to know

[@timothysmallaxe]

Hi great playing ! Are these made by Juma? If not can you tell me who made? And how to purchase

[@I_S_M-c4p]

Хорошо сыграли

[@maakeklein4073]

Could I play west Indian calypso and soca on these?bless.

[@vuvu_8604]

wow

[@ambarrivera6049]

Ok, now I need a thumb piano. XD

[@chrisdixon7305]

I've always seen it the opposite way. I am firmly of the opinion that if Herr Bach had an opportunity to hear Zimbabwean Mbira music (or, more relevant - if Herr Mozart spent a year in Harare) all European Music would have been positively influenced, and the world (especially the musical world) would be a far richer , more exciting place.

[@MagicianFairy]

This.. is so nice. Especially since the most exposed to Bach was his fuge in organ.

[@blkbbw8295]

Is this instrument the same thing as a Kalimba?

[@Beanzo]

They’re pretty similar (sometimes the names are used interchangeably) but they have some differences, like the second row of keys on the mbira and a different tuning.

[@jud6ment]

This would make an awesome intro cover to Yoshi Island

[@yabbadabbindude]

It's like wind chimes but without the creepiness

[@vdinh143]

So this is what I heard! I feel ashamed for being surprised that an African instrument can produce such heavenly sounds. Also, happy birthday Bach

[@umojaafrika2447]

Ok, listen to the kora players also you will be amazed. Please don't judge a culture through your prejudices and go see yourself to make your own opinion

[@seelomugwenhi7773]

Lol. The origin of music is in africa . At least you are coming out of your caveman mentality, slowly you will get there .😁

[@ninjamonkey2251]

What's wrong with your finger nails?

[@Beanzo]

LOL I grew them out for this video because it's better for playing the instrument, and then they looked ugly so I painted them 🤷‍♂️

[@LeahLuciB]

They're pretty 🙂