Attn: Dok: A short note concerning the Apocalypse. [HIGH INTEREST LEVEL WARNING]

[tyrannosaurus vex]

Mbira

The mbira, often called a thumb piano, is an integral part of Zimbabwean music. It is played while in a halved calabash which amplifies the sound and distorts it using shells or bottle caps placed around the edges. Though musicologist Hugh Tracey believed the mbira to be nearing extinction in the 1930s, the instrument has been revived since the 60s and 70s, and has gained an international following through the world music scene. Some renowned mbira players include Dumisani Maraire, Ephat Mujuru, Forward Kwenda, Stella Chiweshe, Chartwell Dutiro, Beauler Dyoko, Cosmas Magaya, Musekiwa Chingodza, Hakurotwi Mude, Chiwoniso Maraire and Tute Chigamba.

Mbira DzeNjari is a mbira music genre popular along the eastern border of Zimbabwe. The mbira instrument has 32 keys, far more complicated than other types of mbira instruments. Not a lot is known about this type of mbira. Foreign students from University of Washington recorded some of the music during the Zimbabwe liberation war in Zimunya communal lands from prominent musicians in the area like Mombo Chiwanza and Nyika Musabayana Zimunya. The latter recorded one known single at Gramma Records, titled: Adzimai garaimwandichema. Other leading mbira groups include MbiraDzenharira, Maungira Enharira and Mbira Dzechirorodziva

There is also pop music in Zimbabwe that incorporates their indigenous instruments. Although the mbira is traditionally played as ceremonial music to call spirits, there are many who play it in world-fusion music and get successful radio play and album sales in Zimbabwe and other countries in Africa. For example, mbira player Chris Berry with his band Panjea have reached platinum record sales in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, playing a style of music based on traditional mbira rhythms and melodies, but incorporating various other instruments and styles (like hip-hop and dancehall).
Sungura

This is the local genre of the Zimbabwe music industry. Sungura music became popular in the early 1980s, pioneered by frontman Ephraim Joe and his band Sungura Boys which counted many notable future hitmakers as members. their roll included John Chibadura (guitar) Simon Chimbetu (guitar and vocals) Naison Chimbetu, Ronnie Chataika, Michael Jambo (drums), Ephraim Joe (guitar), Moses Marasha (bass), Never Moyo (lead guitar), Bata Sinfirio (rhythm guitar), System Tazvida (guitar and vocals).

The Khiama Boys emerged as natural successors to the Sungura Boys after their demise during the mid eighties. Members would include System Tazvida, Nicholas Zacharia, Alick Macheso and Zakaria Zacharia. A great number of these artistes have gone on to forge successful careers with their own bands whilst Nicholas Zacharia has remained as the leader of the band and is still active as of 2008.

James Chimombe,whose romantic ballads and the influential sungura guitar melody, (consisting of Lead, Rhythm and bass,) made him the a favorite of late 80s.

The 90s was dominated by musicians include Leonard Dembo, the effervescent Khiama Boys, veteran Simon Chimbetu and up coming artistes Alick Macheso, Tongai Moyo and Somadhla Ndebele. The star of the decade was none other than Leonard Zhakata whose musical project was a spin off of the double play Maungwe Brothers, an act fronted by Zhakata and his cousin Thomas Makion.

The decade 2000 till presence has been characterised by a wrangle for the crown for the kingship of Sungura between the two great superstars of the decade, Alick Macheso and Tongai Moyo. Having dominated sales, tour and concert attendances, the heckling and counter heckling by the artists at shows and in some recorded material is strong proof that the current feud is far from end.

Other artists to come through this decade include Joseph Garakara, Gift Amuli and Daiton Somanje.

System Tazvida, Simon Chimbetu, John Chibadura,Leonard Dembo, Thomas Makion have all died and left us with their sweet melodies.

[Doktor Howl]

I think Elton John played a mbira, when he was just starting out.

[AFK]

They left out renowned mbira artists, the illegitimate son of convention

http://www.myspace.com/theillegitimatesonofconvention

Check out 'isolation' for some mad mbira skills. 

[Doktor Howl]

I think Elton John played a mbira, when he was just starting out.

This was before he got big, mind you.

[tyrannosaurus vex]

Sure, but they ran him out of Zimbabwe. They're very intolerant of people like him there.

Brits, I mean.

[Doktor Howl]

Sure, but they ran him out of Zimbabwe. They're very intolerant of people like him there.

Brits, I mean.

They ran him out because they were JEALOUS, because he could play one mbira on EACH THUMB. 

FACT:  Crocodile Rock was originally meant to be played with 2 mbiras and a ukelele, but you probably haven't heard that version, because it's too underground for anyone missing even ONE part of The Uniform.

[EK WAFFLR]

Every known type of venomous spider love the sound of an mbira, and if mbira music is played they will never, ever bite you.
Ever.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Mbira music was used to calm stampeding bison on the plains of pre-Columbian America.

[Doktor Howl]

Mbira music was used to calm stampeding bison on the plains of pre-Columbian America.

Mbira music is the only thing that can put LMNO to sleep when he goes on one of his BGC rampages.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Mbira music was used to calm stampeding bison on the plains of pre-Columbian America.

Mbira music is the only thing that can put LMNO to sleep when he goes on one of his BGC rampages.

The UN is considering a resolution calling for use of the mbira in riot control, as an alternative to pepper spray. The WHO has recently announced that mbira music is a safe and cost-effective substitute for chemical anaesthetic, and the CDC reports that mbira music is effective in stopping the spread of several mutated strains of rotavirus.

[tyrannosaurus vex]

Little known fact about the mbira is that from 1865 until 1984, it was used as the standard tooth layout template for the British Dental Society.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Experimental use of the mbira to treat polio was halted in 1948 due to ethical concerns.

On one island in Indonesia, the mbira is used as a form of birth control. However, the details of exactly how it is used are closely guarded, and researchers have so far been unable to discover its secret.

[EK WAFFLR]

In 1934, renowned musician Bobby Berlin (no relation) discovered that playing any four of the mbira keys at the same time made people queasy, and in some cases throw up.

B. Berlin remained an unpopular guest at parties.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Recently released secret information about the fate of Laika aboard the Sputnik 2 revealed that, at the last minute, an mbira was included in the capsule with the dog. This may in part explain her death of panic within scant hours of the spacecraft's launch.

[Doktor Howl]

I think Elton John played a mbira, when he was just starting out.

This was before he got big, mind you.

I can't believe nobody picked up on this one.