March 31, 2017

My experience with karimba and mbira B. Michael Williams’ karimba, made by South Carolina mbira maker Andy Cox. Percussionist, composer, author and educator B. Michael Williams specializes in mbira, frame drums, djembe, and contemporary percussion. His mbira books are a great resource for any student of kalimba. Here are a few selections from Mr. Williams that give us a glimpse at a compelling and unique taste of his thoughts and experience with karimba and mbira.   A Rough Start My mbira journey began with Andy Cox’s karimba and Paul Berliner’s book, The Soul of Mbira.  Andy had made me a karimba. When he finished, we decided to meet at a

Chiwoniso found just where her voice fit, and it was on an F# karimba Chiwoniso, the late, gifted Zimbabwean-American musician, played a 15-note karimba. This instrument was originally taught at the historic Kwanangoma School of African Music in Zimbabwe, popularized by her father Dumisani Maraire as the “mbira nyunga nyunga.” It was usually tuned to the key of F. But Chiwoniso played her own 15-note in F#, in a not-uncommon musical strategy.  Often musicians will change the tuning of their instruments for the purposes of fostering their best singing (or that of the vocalists they accompany).  I myself play guitar for some women singers, and every time we try a