Mbira (Thumb Piano)

A Mbria (pronounced em-bee-ra with a soft m), is an African instrument that's often called the "thumb piano" as it is played like a piano with your thumb. It is often made of wood and metal. What makes this instrument very unique is that there is no standardization for it meaning you can have whatever notes you want on it (even a half %at or quarter sharp).

You'll need:

• Thin Popsicle Sticks (3-5)
• Wooden Block
• Jenga-like blocks (2)

Place the 2 jenga-like blocks parallel to each other (The holes don't matter. I'm just using blocks from around the house)

Place your wooden block on top of the other 2 jenga-like blocks. Use wood-glue or a strong bonding material (normal tape doesn't work to well but you can use it) to stick the block on top

Place your popsicle stick on top. Tape it (make sure the tape is over the stick and not under it attaching the stick to the board) on both sides of the block. At this stage you can fine tune it to make it a note (A.B,C,D, etc.) or place randomly and you can get some unique sounds.

Like you did with the 1st key, place the rest of the sticks and tape them to the board and you're all set!