Musicmakers DELUXE THUMB PIANO KIT User manual

Musicmakers
14525 61st ST CT N
Stillwater, MN 55082
Updated March 2020
DELUXE
THUMB PIANO KIT
Assembly Instructions
A - Hardwood frame sides (2)
B - Hardwood frame bottom
C - Hardwood frame top
D - Inner brace
E - Front (w/soundhole)
F - Back
G - Hardwood bridge
WOOD PARTS
H - Brass bridge rod 3/32” dia
I - Brass clamping tube 3/8” dia
J - Keys (15)
K - Rosette
not pictured:
T-nuts (2)
Machine screws (2)
Assembly instructions
HARDWARE
B
A
C
D
E
F
G
HI
J

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BEFORE YOU BEGIN
ASSEMBLE THE FRAME
PREPARE THE TOP
Inventory and inspect all your parts carefully. If anything is
missing or defective, please call us right away.
_____A.
_____B. It is a good idea to read through the entire assembly instructions before you start, just to get
an overview of the project.
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Test fit the 4 frame pieces together without glue first, to see
how they all fit. These parts are meant to stand on their
narrow edges. Note that the shorter pieces are cut at slight
angles to provide for a taper to the finished box. (fig. 1)
When satisfied with the fit, apply some woodworking glue
(such as Elmer’s Carpenters Glue or Titebond) to the ends of
the short BLOCKS and assemble the FRAME, using masking
tape to hold the corners together firmly. Be certain to do
this assembly on a flat surface, checking the corners to keep
the parts flush.
Allow 30 minutes for drying.
FIG. 1
FIG. 3A
FIG. 4A, B
Test-fit the INNER BRACE, the BRASS CLAMPING
TUBE, and the two MACHINE SCREWS to see how
they fit on the FRONT panel. The FRONT panel
is the one with holes drilled through. Make sure
you have the correct side facing out. The top of the
FRONT panel has the step down in the soundhole
where the rosette will be installed. Use the screws
to hold these parts together, without glue, as shown.
The BRASS TUBE should be on the outside face of
the FRONT. (fig. 3b)
When satisfied with the fit, glue the INNER BRACE to the inside of the FRONT panel, using the
screws and CLAMPING TUBE to draw the parts together. You might want to add some tape to
help apply even pressure. (fig. 4a, b) A little glue should squeeze out of the cracks to indicate
that the wood is clamped firmly.
Install the t-nuts. Use a hammer to pound the two
t-nuts into the brace. (fig. 3a)
FIG. 3B

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INSTALL THE BACK
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FIG. 5
FIG. 6
FIG. 7
When the BRACE is dry, you can position the FRAME on
the inside of the FRONT. Notice that the narrower end of
the FRAME surrounds the INNER BRACE. (fig. 4) Glue and
clamp the FRAME in place, allowing at least 30 minutes for
the glue to set up before continuing.
Before you close up the box permanently, we rec-
ommend signing and dating the inside of the BACK
panel. Then you can go ahead and glue the BACK in
place, making sure it overhangs the FRAME a little
on all sides. Use clamps to hold the parts together
firmly. We like to clamp the whole assembly down
against a flat scrap of plywood. (fig. 6)
Trim off the excess wood from the TOP and BACK,
to match the sides. A good tool for this is a router
with flush-trimming bit, or a power sander with
coarse sandpaper (80 grit). If you use a coping saw,
be sure that the teeth are pulling down so you don’t
chip off the nice face of the veneer. We also recom-
mend rounding all the corners. (fig. 7) The best tool
for this is a disk sander -- hold each corner against
the disk and rotate the box to get a smooth round
shape.
Next, we use a ¼” round-over bit in a router to round over all sharp edges. You can do the same
thing with a hand-electric sander, or a plain sanding block, but it takes a little longer. We like
to give woodworkers an excuse to tool up -- a router is a neat power tool!
This is a good time to sand the box to remove all glue residue and rough edges. Use about 180
grit sandpaper for this, being careful to sand WITH THE GRAIN to avoid scratching the wood.
____9.
It pays do be thorough and do a nice job with your sanding. Clean up any machine marks
and glues spots, take the edge off any rough corners, and sand everything as smooth as you
can. The work you do here will really show after you have applied a finish.
p

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Check carefully the correct position for the hard-
wood BRIDGE. The holes should line up with those
drilled through the TOP, and the edge with the
shallow groove should face the SOUNDHOLE. Trim
the length of the BRIDGE, if necessary, so it does not
hang over the sides of the instrument. (fig. 10)
HINT: WE LIKE TO SAND THE BRIDGE BEFORE
GLUING IT DOWN. Just use a medium grit paper
and sand it by hand to remove rough edges and
machine marks.
Glue the BRIDGE in place, taking care to spread glue
out over the entire underside of the bridge. We find
that the highest notes sound good only if the full
length of the bridge is securely glued and clamped.
Use the BRASS TUBE and the two mounting SCREWS
included in the kit to hold the BRIDGE in place while
the glue dries. (fig. 11) This will ensure that the
BRIDGE does not slide out of position while being
glued. Add a spring clamp at each end of the bridge
to ensure a good bond.
FIG. 10
FIG. 11
Check over everything one more time and make sure you don’t need to do any more sanding.
Apply the finish of your choice. We recommend a clear varnish or lacquer, in a semi-gloss
sheen, as that is the easiest and most successful.
This is also a fun project to paint and/or decorate!
If you purchased the optional rosette, don’t forget to finish that! You’ll want to lightly sand the
top to remove any smoky residue left over from the laser cutting process.
When all the finish is dry, you can apply Superglue to the around the edge of the rosette and
glue it in place over the soundhole.
INSTALL THE BRIDGE
APPLY A FINISH
OPTIONAL ROSETTE
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INSTALL THE METAL KEYS
Place the small brass rod in the groove of the BRIDGE.
When the finish is dry you can install the metal keys. NOTE: We also have a helpful video on
our web site for installing and tuning the keys. www.harpkit.com/thumb-piano-kit.html
Position the BRASS TUBE over the BRIDGE and start the machine screws into place, leaving the
rod loose enough to lift up so you can slide the keys under it.

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FIG. 16
Slide the KEYS under the BRASS TUBE
tube, with the longest ones in the
middle and the shortest ones toward
each side. NOTE: One end of each key
is bent downward, and that’s the end
you will pluck. It should be pointing
toward the sound hole. (fig. 16)
Use one of the TUNING CHARTS (see page 7) to arrange the keys to match the image, and
“hand tighten” the BRASS TUBE to hold them lightly as you arrange them. Notice there are
three keys to the left of the left screw and four keys to the right of the right screw --- this is help-
ful for getting them spaced evenly. Set the length of each prong to match the TUNING CHART
on page 7 to help get them close to proper pitch.
When you get them close to position, tighten the screws about one full turn so you can pluck
the keys and check each one for pitch. If you have a piano or keyboard available, the longest
note in the center should match the G3 to the left of Middle C on the keyboard. You may also
consult our free ONLINE TUNER at www.harpkit.com/freetuner.
Tune the longest one to G below Middle C and then go up the scale, alternating from left to
right, as shown, for two octaves, pushing each prong upward to raise the pitch, or pulling it
down to lower the pitch.
NOTE: The thumb piano is tuned to the Key of G. You’ll notice that the F notes have a # symbol
behind them, and that indicates F-sharp, which is the black key imediately to the right of the
F note on the piano keyboard.
When you have the prongs in tune, you can tighten the screws to secure the prongs more per-
manently and to raise the ends up for easier plucking.
TROUBLESHOOTING
FINE TUNING
If you hear a buzz or rattle as you play, just tighten the screws a little more.
If one of the highest prongs has a “dead” sound, that means there is an air gap under that end
of the wood bridge. You may not be able to see the crack, but try squirting some Superglue
along the end of the bridge so it soaks into the thin cavity under the bridge. Or, if you can see
the crack, try sanding a scrap of wood to a sharp low-angle wedge and tapping the point into
the gap. That should support the bridge so the tone sounds clear.
The higher notes may go a little sharp when you tighten the screws. You can still adjust their
length, but you’ll probably need to push them with a scrap of wood or a pair of pliers when they
are so tightly held in the bridge.

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The Thumb Piano is also known as an Mbira and a Kalimba, and it originates in Africa. It is
technically a “linguaphone” and is from the family of instruments known as sansas. These
instruments are often made from gourds or turtle shells, with the keys (prongs or tongues)
made of split cane or bamboo, or even bicycle spokes. The length of the prong determines the
pitch of the note. Some sansas include extra metal rattles attached to the keys to make them
sound louder.
The age of the sansa is not known, but Jao Dos Santos mentioned the “ambira” as early as 1586,
and Buonannin referred to the “kafir piano” in 1722. Sansas are widespread throughout Africa
and are also found in Jamaica, Central and South America, as well as in the United States. More
names for sansas include: ambira, bamboli, biti, chiasanchi, dimba, diti, ikembi, jimba, kalim-
ba, marimbua, pokido and zimba.
HISTORY OF THE THUMB PIANO
PLAYING THE THUMB PIANO
Hold the instrument with both hands. A good place to start is to practice playing the major
scale, starting by plucking downward with your right thumb on the longest key (G) and fol-
lowing with your left thumb on the adjacent key to the left (A), then your right thumb on the
next B on the right side, and so on alternating thumbs as you go back and forth up the scale,
right-left-right-left-right, a nd so forth.
Try plucking two keys at a time (e.g. G/B, A/C, B/D, C/E, etc,) and listen to the harmonies as you
go up the scale.
Try playing a simple melody like the ones shown on the page 8. The letters just above the words
identify the notes, starting with the longest one (G) in the center, and going up as high as the
octave G above it on the left side. The “R” and “L” above the note names refer to right or left
thumb.
Photocopy the next page so you can cut out TUNING CHART. Then fold on the line and tape the
image to the front so the fold is right up against the bridge of your thumb piano. The image is
actual size, so it will help you align your prongs and get them very close to the proper tuning.
As you tighten the scerws, you can double-check the tuning against a piano or electronic tuner
and make fine adjustments as necessary.
You can also use this diagrams under the prongs of your finished instrument to help guide
you with note-reading.

7
KEY OF C
KEY OF G

On Top of Old Smokey
Key of G
G G B D G E E C D E D
On top of Old Smokey, all covered with snow,
G G B D D A B C B A G
I lost my true lover, from courting too slow.
On Top of Old Smokey
Key of C
C C D E C A A F G A G
On top of Old Smokey, all covered with snow,
C C D E E D E F E D C
I lost my true lover, from courting too slow.
Try these songs in whichever key you tuned your instrument. You can try playing in a low range, near the
center prongs, or in a higher range toward each side where the prongs are shorter.
Are You Sleeping
Key of G
G A B G G A B G
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping,
B C D B C D
Brother John, Brother John
D E D C B G D E D C B G
Morning bells are ringing. Morning bells are ringing
G D G G D G
Ding, ding, dong, Ding, ding dong.
Are You Sleeping
Key of C
C D E C C D E C
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping,
E F G E F G
Brother John, Brother John
G A G F E C G A G F E C
Morning bells are ringing. Morning bells are ringing
D G C C G C
Ding, ding, dong, Ding, ding dong.
Joy to the World
Key of G
G F# E D C B A G
Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
D E E F# F# G
Let earth, receive her King.
G G-F# E-D D-C-B G G-F# E-D D-C-B
Let ev-----ery heart pre-pare Him room
B B B B B-C D
And heav’n and nature sing
C-B A A A A-B C
And heav’n and nature sing
B -A G - G E D-C-B C B A G
And heaven and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the World
Key of C
C B A G F E D C
Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
G A A B B C
Let earth, receive her King.
C C-B A-G G-F-E C C-B A-G G-F-E
Let ev-----ery heart pre-pare Him room
E E E E E-F G
And heav’n and nature sing
F-E D D D D-E F
And heav’n and nature sing
E-D C-C A G-F-E F E D C
And heaven and heaven and nature sing.
KEY OF G KEY OF C