Anyone heard of this cool instrument?

[som3d3vil34]

Im taking an "Understanding Music" class and we were learning about African instruments today. There were a lot of cool drums and percussion type instruments, but the one that stuck out most to me was this instrument called a sanza or thumb piano. Here's a pic. and some info:

http://jmceld.home.mindspring.com/kalimba.htm

Anyone else heard of this cool little thing? Im thinking about buying one. There are some pretty cheap ones on eBay.

[onemanguitarban]

Yeah....I've played a few....used to have one. Most are not that great, IMO. They can be pretty cool as a piece of "art" around the house....but for making music they are just o.k. at best (especially if you are looking at a "cheap" one)

I like these much better....some of the higher end ones are fantastic...both to look at and to play/hear

http://www.tonguedrum.com/

[bullox005]

[QUOTE=onemanguitarban]Yeah....I've played a few....used to have one. Most are not that great, IMO. They can be pretty cool as a piece of "art" around the house....but for making music they are just o.k. at best (especially if you are looking at a "cheap" one)
QUOTE]

maybe you weren't able to produce good music with one, but it certainly can be done. i have spent a significant amount of time in kenya, tanzania, and uganda, and have witnessed several talented ikembe players. it is an instrument of subtlties. not something one can learn to play well without extensive effort. definatly a cool instrument.

[Kyle_Golem]

my uncle made a pretty cool one...i think it is a cool intstrument but definately tedious and not for ppl with big fingers ;)

[som3d3vil34]

I won the auction; Im paying about 20 bucks for one. I figure thats not a bad price. I dont really plan on mastering it or anything, I just wanna play around with it.