Bear-Engraved Thumb Pianos
Description
Lightweight and portable, these bear-engraved thumb pianos by Paul and Sue Bergstrom are a modern take on an ancient African instrument. The first version of the handheld thumb piano – called a kalimba or mbira, depending on the region in which it’s played – appeared more than 3,000 years ago!
Working from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, the Bergstroms combine their experience in design and woodworking to meticulously handcraft each part of their thumb pianos. The eight numbered tines, or keys, correspond with traditional notes on the diatonic scale. The tines are made of tempered spring steel that is hand-cut and rounded. To play, just cradle the instrument in your hands and pluck the tines with your thumbs. Each thumb piano comes with an instructional booklet, including 28 songs, that makes learning easy for all ages.
Please Note: Because these are handcrafted items, no two thumb pianos are identical. Expect slight variations in grain patterns from the images shown.
- Artist: Paul and Sue Bergstrom
- American-Made in Blairsville, GA
- Pine thumb piano with hand-cut spring steel tines
- Laser-engraved bear design
- Instructional songbook included
- Dimensions: 6” L x 2.875” W x 1.5” D
$42.00
7 in stock
