Jazz improvisation on a 5 octave Array mbira

[@patrickhadley]

this is one of the easiest to learn instruments I have ever played and the potential to create very intricate and complex arrangements is there too

[@gabrielelijah812]

really interested, is the instrument hard to find ? And tutorials to learn to play it ? (Srry English bad^^)

[@chiyenyumba7135]

Derived from Mbira from Zimbabwe how about you mention that in your description box.... Good try

[@ThePandaAgenda]

@@chiyenyumba7135and why do you have to mention it? Any musician should already know.

[@flyinghorseknuckles]

This has become one of my favorite pieces of music to listen to. The sonic quality is astounding, the stereo seperation thrilling, and the composition deep and rich.Simply amazing.

[@chiyenyumba7135]

Listen to original mbira from Zimbabwe

[@bbolcao]

This is probably the 50th time I have watched this and the simple song video. They are amazing. One of my dream instruments. You play very well.

[@WeirdCrazyShortGuy]

That's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Subbed.

[@wcs9355]

are you g

[@donetsk0162]

what do u mean?

[@pavane2142]

That's exactly what happened to me.

[@Aedrieus]

10 years later and I still watch this video from time to time. Love this song and this instrument.

[@rawritssami]

I’ve been watching this video for YEARS and I still don’t understand how this is improv. This is a whole perfectly created song, how???

[@patrickhadley]

most improvised music happens within a framework of preselected chords, the exact order of the chords or melodies that may emerge are made up on the spot but there is a basic foundation to begin with...if you asked me to play this piece again I would come close but it would not be the exact version that was recorded because I never play it exactly the same, close and similar but not exact.

[@YuhhurTehe]

my favorite video on the internet for a few years now , had to return and show my appreciation

[@deejayLem01]

man, I found this video years and years ago and i still find myself coming back to it every once in a while because of its beauty. whatever you're doing now, keep it up bud

[@CandyTok]

years later still listening

[@patrickhadley]

@llamaed1 I think what you're observing is what's known as "sympathetic resonance" or sympathetic vibration. the metal stick things are called tines and the Array mbira has 2 and sometimes 3 of the same notes (tines) so what happens when you play 1 tine the other goes into motion by itself because it's activated by the tine that vibrates at the same frequency. There are no loose tines and they do not come loose, in fact they stay in tune for many, many years...

[@wolfzwizdom]

Omg what are the chord changes....just the chord changes set my mind on fire

[@kristinaandstrom7043]

I've now listened to this piece for four times and I just can't get enough. It kind of puts you in a trance. Lovely.

[@barisbbs]

That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard ...!

[@IndigoBassNotes]

Liquid, glowing, smooth, round, warm. soft.

[@patrickhadley]

The live sound is even better depending on what kind of system you run it through. I recorded direct from the Array mbira output jacks to the line input on the video cam.

[@amritmahi]

I honestly don't know how many times I've watched this video, but it's been a couple years now since I first heard it, and I come back to hear this at least once a every couple of weeks. BEAUTIFUL.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Instant stress relief

[@izzywizzy4870]

Yep

[@clemenza1234]

I've seen this video around 20 times, and I keep coming back........excellent tune.

[@MusicalMooseMan]

this is one of the most amazing things i have ever heard! music has the ability to open the mind and enrich the soul....this just makes it so easy!

[@CornucopiaOfAwesome]

Another jazz improv! so good! from mind to fingers to metal, you make wonderful music.

[@love4allpaws]

I'm just enthralled by this instrument and the beautiful things you..(yes, YOU)..can do with it! Wow...awesome..thanks for sharing!!!!

[@YeledNezek]

How does it feels to look at this video, knowing it's you and realizing that was thirteen years ago?

[@SlikkTim]

This is absolutely incredible. The sound, the playing and the composition... Very deep and modal. On the other hand, I can't help but imagine a Steve Reich piece written for 3 or 4 instruments like this.

[@randallrogers4270]

The instrument is lovely but I keep coming back for this amazing composition. Absolutely mesmerizing to listen to, thank you

[@noelaruldas1152]

Wonderful and excellent performance! It sounds pleasant and enjoyable! No electronic imitation can beat the real musical instruments like these.

[@kenkneeb]

Stunningly, lusciously, melodically, heavenly delightful! Thanks Patrick!!!

[@RoxInSocks]

i am always amazed every time i see an instrument i have never seen before. its beautiful

[@henrynzidane24an]

honestly some of the most beautiful sound ive ever heard

[@patrickhadley]

it's high carbon spring steel. 1/8" x .045. You may be able to find it in the form of electricians fish tape which is used to pull wires through conduit. Good luck with your project and don't hesitate to ask for advice. :)

[@Lemoncaake]

This sounds good but even better with earbuds at night. I first heard this a couple of months ago, but I still come back and listen to it. So peaceful.☺️☺️

[@sabbathblackk]

i love it! so soothing, for some reason the sounds this instrument produces brings me back to my childhood. Thank you for this beautiful music!

[@OldSchool9690]

Music to my ears. This would've been golden in the 60's and 70's.

[@patrickhadley]

@FPSCclanleader all 12 notes of the scale and how ever many octaves there are on the particular instrument are repeated 2.5 times so each hand can access the same notes allowing for complex playing that is not obtainable on a keyboard and the note arrangement which layed out in a series of fofths allows for exact uniformity ion the way chords are played, for more info check the site thearraymbira and look at the"array system" page

[@SheebaTonkaMan]

Absolutely breathtaking. The tone is otherwordly

[@Robbuffet]

This man has done a great service to this world

[@arrayorchestra]

Your right. Not many people notice this. Music theory is so much simplified by it that it saves a LOT of time, its not just the sound being easier on the ears its the geometry being easier on the brain and the fingers, there is a lot less frantic moving around so feelings are easier to express because moods form PATTERNS YOU CAN SEE, you don't have to guess

[@PlasticCyborg]

This instrument is absolutely amazing. It sounds like a lower octave music box but you play it instead of winding it up. I've seen something similar to the Mbira at a local music store, like a hand sized version that the owners of the shop call a thumb piano. I would definitely say an instrument like this is a good investment for any musician. The multi-octave design and great sound it makes, it's just amazing. I would consider saving up to buy one myself in the future.

[@pebble64]

9 years late here but this is just a mbira with mbira notes, its just there’s different names such as the kalimba, the zanza, and the thumb piano, the one i own is 17 keys (the standard) but it can vary from 7 keys to the 5 octave one shown in the video.

[@chiyenyumba7135]

@@pebble64 culture appropriation MBIRA is FROM ZIMBABWE 🇿🇼

[@pebble64]

@@chiyenyumba7135 ?

[@chiyenyumba7135]

@@pebble64?

[@pebble64]

@@chiyenyumba7135 ?

[@marcospritz2000]

Honestly i think so too, the quality of the melody is outstanding, fantastic piece to wake up sunday morning, with a cup of coffee. :) thanks to upload it!

[@patrickhadley]

Thanks! it definitely has a vibe sound but is different enough to sound reaaly good with vibes. I sometimes describe it as a cross between a harp and a steel drum.

[@garibaldipum]

¡Que emotivo es hallar personas de tanto talento que andan por el mundo, y más aún cuando son tan generosos con su trabajo! Muchas gracias. Esto es muy bello y emociona grandemente. Eduardo Heras desde Argentina. ¡Viva la unidad en la diversidad!

[@Aramanth]

It sounds like a cross between vibraphone and an angel's harp! Beautiful!

[@denisemarshallart]

beautiful sound! Amazing! What a wonderful life to play music using an instrument you created yourself! The Mary Poppins fan from Sonoma

[@matt44720]

Where can we meet you ? I would so much see that for real, it's so peaceful. I absolutely need an Array Mbira

[@patrickhadley]

you can contact me through our web site arraymbira.com

[@jangtheconqueror]

This is the best instrument I've ever heard! Awesome music

[@tanvo93]

this intrument has a beautiful sound..i could only imagine how awsome it would be to jam with someone who was happened to playing one of those

[@patrickhadley]

@KeimaAyasaki go for it ...I'd love to see/hear what you do with it!

[@Maverick274]

THIS INSTRUMENT IS WICKED! Nice, smooth, and jazzy! Diggin' it bro.

[@roniiv]

Beautiful........so soothing.......u should upload more videos

[@spliffsstudio]

I hear some Miami Vice in that music! I LOVE THIS! GOD BLESS YOU SIR!

[@torontolove00]

I NEVER HEARD OF THIS INSTRUMENT UNTIL TODAY.!!!!!!!! I adore it.!!! I've never seen one in Canada before =(

[@flyinghorseknuckles]

Beautiful in every respect: composition, performance, and visuals. What an impressive instrument. I've never seen one like this before. Thanks for posting! ~Jon

[@birdeeboo]

I wish there was a CD of this... I would definitely purchase it.

[@WolfieRustin]

I love the sound of it and song. Great playing!

[@LibertangoVieenrose]

excellent ! I love this wonderful jazzy playing on this instrument. 5 stars is a must !

[@peterkohlmetzmoller]

Fantastic improvisation. Very dynamic and airy!

[@Huizachtepetl]

Just gorgeous... Congratulations. Thanks for share it!

[@Hyenajaws]

Oh my god. Just beautiful. Please, keep playing more jazz.

[@InnocentNightmares]

such a calming sounds ^^ Reminds me of rain for some reason and wind chimes...

[@zeppy13131]

This is nothing short of amazing.

[@brandonj70]

Beautiful sounding instrument

[@Jojos18]

Please make more videos. I love the sound of this wonderful instrument. :)

[@Ryomichi]

when i close my eyes and focus on the sound, it feels like my soul is 'drained' away. i dont know 'drain' is the right word but i mean like flying/ambient. i wish Mr. Patrickhadley make more of these video.

[@Emmamdd]

Very cool Patrick. Nice to meet you this weekend.

[@patrickhadley]

@Abdullu it's actually true 2 channel stereo, the playing feild is split in half so there's a R channel and a L channel, the 2 seperate outputs can be panned in the mix any way you like...

[@TheWursthaut]

incredible , i love the sound of this instrument

[@patrickhadley]

@TheLemonPeals that's a really good question and one not easily answered...defining musical styles, genres, sub-genres,etc,etc gets really tricky sometimes...all I can say is that it's a fusion of freestyle and nujazz with hints of Brazilian.

[@patrickhadley]

@Agar101 The tines are made from high carbon spring steel and the body consists of several different types of wood. Paduk, sapele, mahogany, purple heart and jatoba are all good woods to use.

[@DhontFrederic]

Beautiful sound and VERY nice playing!!

[@weatherkop]

that is just lush sounding, amazing. Some of the chords structures sound like "imaginary lover" from Atlanta Rhythm Section. Rock on brother

[@gazeintothemirror]

wow, sounds great! was learning about african music in class and chanced upon this.

[@patrickhadley]

@CameronSento the instrument in the video is a 5 octave hollow body acoustic with built in pick-ups. The solid body sounds the same when plugged in but has a lot less volume when not amplfied but enough to play / practice, also the solid body models are much less prone to any kind of feedback problems when played loud in a live situation

[@excedrinmigrainesouffle]

...Want. This is too beautiful for words.

[@onionbuskut]

SO LEGIT my favorite instrument by far

[@patrickhadley]

@Flounderhouse all Array mbiras have a custom made 2 channel stereo pick up system . The playing field is split in half so the R and L sides have their own pickup and output which can be mixed into a mono signal or panned all the way R and L. This recording was made by routing the 2 output jacks directly to the stereo mic input on the video camera. No mics or signal processing were used.

[@Tibazz]

@patrickhadley ok well that makes a whole lot of sense, yeah i wasnt trying to bash on the instrument i just really wanted to know what complex ment and you did a fine job explaining that. thx

[@lakenewell]

All I can say is FANTASTIC!!!

[@vantherandomone]

This is so beautiful...definately one of my favorite videos of all time! ^^

[@patrickhadley]

@shannyfanny46 Thanks! The stereo panning happens all by itself because the playing field is split in half so there's a R and L channel. There are also unison notes on both sides so as long as each hand is playing on the L and R half of the instrument the the stereo effect is rich, full and mesmerizing.

[@beekbreak]

wauw ,speechless,have now played it for many times,jazzimpro

[@777cc777]

what an amazing instrument (great impro too)

[@MeowMix140]

This is probably one of the more interesting musical instruments I've stumbled upon (not through that website though). This, the theremin, and the contra-bass saxophone are at the top.

[@itsraymond2295]

It sounds so pretty, wonderful playing :)

[@BBT609]

Dude. I love listening to this

[@Amaleigh2024]

it's so relaxing to me. I love it

[@TheLemonPeals]

I realize there are different styles/types of jazz, what would this one be called? I want to hear more like it. This is beautiful played on the mbira though, FANTASTIC performance!

[@annafrederiksen8660]

absolutely beautiful!

[@ym2413a]

Lovely sound. :) Great playing too!

[@iRawrZ3R0]

I love the sound its verry relaxing i would love to have one and learn how to play!

[@Ismlor]

That sounds wonderful!

[@patrickhadley]

@rcnacura yeah, she's on our list of amazing artists to contact, hope we can get one to her soon!

[@lucytheangel777]

Close your eyes and journey to a wonderful world.........

[@excursustoo]

really beautiful

[@pempinas1]

Amazing sound! I wonder what wood combination is this instrument made from? I love this bright sound!

[@Fraususemil]

Both the sound of the instrument and the tune are absolutely beautiful. I was sparing money for a celtic harp but now I am torn between these two instruments.

[@jimilee8168]

So beautiful !!

[@bogtheforest]

Really cool sounding. Sounds like you recorded it well.

[@chinowong22]

ive never seen anything like this before but it sounds awesome

[@JaredPlane]

This is amazing! Thank you for uploading this!

[@patrickhadley]

@mrsammiguy the length of the tine determines the pitch. Shorter is higher, longer is lower. Once tuned it's locked into position and stays in tune for many years.

[@patrickhadley]

@swagg1up a beginner can make good sounding music right away because of the Array System of note arrangement which stacks the octave notes together in a column and then arranges the octave columns in a series of fifths. Experienced musicians can learn very quickly and advance rapidly.