Name of Piece: Dangurangu

Artist: Kalus-Peter Brenner 

Instrument: Mbira (region: Zimbabwe) 

I chose this song because out of all of the instruments we have studied thus far from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Mbira by far stands out to me the most. For such a small instrument that seems so simple, I love the sound it provides and it can sound so complex as well. This was especially true when it was played in the documentary we watched in class. This piece shows the range of the thumb piano, and how it is even able to play what sounds to be “sharps” like a traditional western piano. Watching this instrument be played through this video, I am able to see that some of these different notes are played not only by pressing down on the kyes but also by plucking upwards on them, providing that “sharp” sound.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7CrzZ7t3LA