WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF YOUR THUMB DRUM
Welcome to your portable music maker, the Thumb Drum AKA kalimba AKA thumb piano. Inspired by the Mbira, a traditional North African instrument, this easy-to-play wooden percussion instrument features metal keys tuned to different notes which sound when played. Simply “pluck” the keys with the tips of your thumbs. Perfect for musical play as well as experimentation, the East by West 10-Key Thumb Drum requires no musical training. Just use your intuition and imagination and feel those vibrations!
SEE THE EAST BY WEST THUMB DRUM IN ACTION:
TUNING
The East by West Thumb Drum is an easy-to-play percussion instrument with a beautiful rich resonance. Featuring 10 keys, also known as “tines,” each tuned to a specific pitch. This means that when the notes are played together, the perfectly tuned tines form a musical scale making it perfect for playing standalone tunes or accompanying other instruments.
The East by West Thumb Drum is tuned to C major with each of the metal keys labelled with their corresponding note. Using a chromatic tuner or a free tuning app (see below), along with the metal hammer enclosed in the box, you can gently adjust the tines and fine tune the pitch of the Thumb Drum keys (which may move around slightly over time through use).
To tune, simply pluck one of the center tines — C for example — with your fingernail or thumbnail, listen to the note played and check with the tuning app to see if the pitch is correct. If it needs adjusting, use the hammer to gently tap the tine to tweak its position and therefore pitch. The shorter the length of the tine after the bridge, the higher the note and vice versa, so hammer up to raise the pitch of the note or hammer down to lower the note and check again with the tuning app to see if the pitch is now correct.
DOWNLOAD CHROMATIC TUNING APP FOR:
PLAYING
Hold the Thumb Drum in both hands, hollow side up with the tines facing towards you. By wrapping your fingers around the underside of the Thumb Drum, you can keep it steady as you pluck the tines with your thumbnails. You can also lay the Thumb Drum on a flat surface and use your fingernails to play too.
Practise playing the Thumb Drum by flicking the tines down with the tips of your thumbnails. Experiment with your hand position, and how you pluck the keys to get a clear note as the tine vibrates. This might feel uncomfortable when you are starting out but your thumbnails will soon become accustomed as you build your practice slowly.
THINGS TO TRY:
Practise alternating between both thumbs to play the tines. Notice that some notes are doubled — on this 10-key Thumb Drum there are 2 x E, 2 x C, 2 x D — these are an octave upward or downward of each other.
After plucking a note on a tine try waving the Thumb Drum to create a vibrato or “wa-wa” effect on the sound.
Hitting two tines that are right next to each other plays a chord. Practise using one thumb to do this.
Combine single notes and chords to create your own song. For instance, you can play the centre tine three times, then play a chord four times, then play the center tine three more times for a full progression. Experiment with other progressions and chords for your own unique song.
To amplify the sound of the Thumb Drum try playing it within a large bowl.
Now you’re ready to experiment and improvise. Use your intuition and imagination and enjoy the rich tones as you feel those vibrations! You can also try your hand at these three simple and well loved tunes below — all possible on your East by West 10-Key Thumb Drum.
TUNES TO TRY:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Originally called “The Star,” this is perhaps the most popular nursery rhyme there is, and often the first song children learn to play on the piano. It was written by author Jane Taylor in 1806.
NOTES & LYRICS:
C C G G A A G F F E E D D C
Twinkle, Twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.
G F F E E D G G F F E E D
Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.
C C G G A A G F F E E D D C
Twinkle, Twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.
You Are My Sunshine
A classic performed by artists such as Johnny Cash, the Beach Boys and more. This is an uplifting tune beloved by adults and children alike.
NOTES & LYRICS:
G C D E E E DE C C
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
C D E F A A G F E
You make me happy when skies are grey.
C D E F A A G F E C
You'll never know dear, how much I love you.
C D E F D D E C
Please don't take my sunshine away.
Frère Jacques
A French nursery rhyme that you’ve definitely heard. The lyrics mean: Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Brother Jack, brother Jack. Ring the morning bells. Ring the morning bells. Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
NOTES & LYRICS:
C D E C C D E C E F G E F G
Fre-re Jac-ques, Fre-re Jac-ques. Dor-mez vous, dor-mez vous.
G A G F E C G A G F E C
Son-nez les ma-ti-nes, Son-nez les ma-ti-nes
C G C C G C
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong