Kevin Volans - Mbira

[anthonygouraud35]

It's a harpsichord (clavecin), tuned in the one of the zimbabwe scales, which has not the same structure than ours.

[tanyaradzwa100]

He is not playing a mbira. That is a string instrument. The sound is not of a mbira and if you listen closely, you can hear the slides. He simply applied the mbira cords on the strings. A genius musician, and a beautiful piece.

[grasshopperfiddler]

Very Uplifting Music! I enjoyed how slightly out of tune it is . SOunds more natural that way.

[600euros]

i love how it subtly changes from a simple to compound meter almost imperceptibly

[GermanRasta]

beautiful song!

[TbgO]

best essay music EVER

[y3k23k]

this is awesome! i really wish someone would put up untitled.

[scrubmacdub]

this is my ma playing this piece with kevin! privilege to know the guy, going to his concert in a couple weeks

[kingofkillings]

African or not, I love this piece!

[shani123]

wow, i thought Kevin Volans was just a "one hit wonder" with "white man sleeps" but this piece is amazing!

[kashi2012]

What instrument/s is this played on please?

[sideral]

There are two harpsichods re-tuned in African tuning, and a rattle (which enter at about 1:50). However, Volans wanted to emulate the sound and playing style of a Mbira, a very peciluar instrument from Zimbabwe that is seen in the picture.

[mbiraside]

very peculiar???. The mbira is the national instrument of Zimbabwe .Mbira have been around for thousands of yrs and are found all over africa and have had a major influence on some of africa's contemporary music. Maybe you don't get out enough.

[sideral]

Man, you don't have to be offensive, I admire instruments like these. Many people in the west don't know this instrument, and it doesn't look like the kind of instruments we often see. It may be due to ignorance, but not everyone has to be an African music expert...

[mbiraside]

My apologies . I didn't mean to be offensive but i did mean to get your attention. "Very peculiar " seemed somewhat condescending and not words i would use to express a feeling of admiration. You don't have to be an african music expert, and i'm not . Mbira are played all over the world these days. There are  thousands of westerners playing, having festivals, music camps, websites , etc all devoted the the mbira. Peace