Instrument Archives - Wenge Mbira

A collective documentation of various instruments - some made by myself, some I've worked on, others I just had the opportunity to play.

Mbira dzavadzimu made by Eric Orem in 2006. Body made of Wenge. 24 keys of cold forged steel & brass. Tuned to approximately Eb, "Cosmas tuning".

Song segment is mahororo.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Padauk
• dust
• marimbas
• PDM
• Eric
• Orem
• mbira
• dzavadzimu
• zimbabwe
• music
• musical
• collection

[ToneSpectra]

I can't believe how difficult it is to find anything to use as tines here in the UK! I like those ones a lot. Did you start with handles from spoons/forks and bang them flat? I'd like to make iron, brass, spring steel, and bamboo instruments.

[mbiraguy]

@ToneSpectra Sorry that you're having trouble finding suitable material.

Again I started with round steel/brass rods in varying dia., from 1/4" to 1/8". I just had a look online and found some for sale in the UK. I know what you mean though; it is nice to be able to pick it up locally; as well as to have it in your hands and get a feel for the material before buying.

Best of luck! feel free to contact me with questions.

[littlegreenjason]

Where did you learn to play?

[mbiraguy]

Well, I kind of taught myself once I learned the basics by listening to recordings. I've spent a bit of time playing and learning with masters of the instrument also.

[MrADZA]

do you have any videos of you playin this piece slower??

[mbiraguy]

I will try to make one Adza.

[damimose]

Stunning. Thanks!

[SekuruDread]

Another lovely piece, I can say its either Mahororo or Nyamaropa, I have noticed that each Mbira player has his own unique signature, no two mbira players will play the same piece exactly the same, there are always variations and this variety with practice enables you to constantly improve your hand. So we borrow elements from each other even to those that we know as a way to improve ourselves. Thanks MbiraGuy for this.

[NatashaMagazine]

I love it!

[outled]

sweeeet!