Chaminuka Mbira School is here to promote and teach Mbira, the spiritual foundation of Zimbabwean Shona music.
When we talk about Mbira, we have the musical instrument, called Mbira Dzavadzimu, plus the whole culture which surrounds Mbira playing. We are here for both.
We have been playing, performing and teaching Mbira for decades. It is a passion, as well as a spiritual calling. We are excited about promoting and spreading the Mbira as an instrument worthy of study, and enjoy sharing the deep culture which connects to Mbira.
We have produced Books and CDs which we use to help our students learn new songs. The best way to learn Mbira is from an experienced Mbira player, but when you go home to practice, its great to have a written and audio reference. This kind of teaching aid is also great if you live far away from a teacher, but still want to learn.
Each book and CD package has 11 separate songs, with notation and audio tracks, lyrics and a description of the songs meaning.
We are also producing video tutorials and online teaching materials.
We manufacture our own Mbira instruments here in our Brighton workshop, using good quality hard woods and spring steel. We always have a stock of instruments, but can also make to custom orders, for example in different tunings or sizes. Some people like to have a pickup, allowing you to easily plug your Mbira into an amp, as you would a guitar. We certainly do this with our own instruments and regularly play on professional stages. Its very satisfying to hear the sound of Mbira travelling to thousands of people at a concert or festival.
More about Mbira.....
The Mbira Dzavadzimu has been played for centuries in spiritual ceremonies and has a central function in calling the spirits of Shona ancestors to manifest themselves during a ceremony. There is a large repertoire of traditional Mbira songs, many of them are centuries old. Songs may have a traditional message associated with them, or the musical piece itself may be the traditional aspect, while the lyrical message can be changed and adapted according to the context.
Every song can have many different ways of playing, with variations arising in different areas of Zimbabwe, or even between different tribes or families. However the song still holds true to its origins, and any variation should be compatible with another. For example, three Mbira players, strangers, may come from different regions or tribes, but if they all sit down to play Bangiza, they can communicate.
The Mbira can be played on its own, but usually will be accompanied by other Mbira players, Hosho shakers, perhaps Ngoma drums, clapping, singing and dancing, shared by all those participating in a ceremony.
The Mbira instrument is also a strong part of the identity of Shona traditional culture, and even if Mbira is used outside of a spiritual ceremony, it still carries great meaning wherever it goes. If we see Mbira being played on stage with guitars and drum kits, then we know there is something special about the music and the performers, because they want Mbira to be a part of their work.
