Copyright-free, royalty-free acoustic ambient trance music from the legendary Dr. Cornelius "Thumbs" Pianeer. This gorgeous recording features the Moozica double-decker kalimba, which Dr. Pianeer tore apart and rebuilt using the LOTUS tuning for a karimba. The sound is mesmerizing, like a dozen tiny bells dancing. Get ready for a long, soothing attitude adjustment as you listen to the LOTUS unfold.

Produced in 2023 by the Staunton Media Lab. Copyright-free, royalty-free, feel free to download and repurpose as long as credit is given to Dr. Cornelius Pianeer. Image courtesy Staunton Media Lab -- all rights reserved.

DCP Unreleased

Lotus - Dr. Cornelius "Thumbs" Pianeer Plays the Moozica Thumb Piano

Here’s a composition titled in appreciation of Thich Nhat Hanh. It was written during the 2nd time I got to experience Covid, while laying on the floor and playing a kalimba. Even though I was sick, I was feeling very nice thanks to the dharma talks of Thich Nhat Hanh. His Buddhist teachings & just observing his very present nature were both wonderful for meditation. So I felt that the seeds which this composition grew from were thanks to Thich Nhat Hanh.

Instruments:
Hugh Tracy karimba, Doug Tipple flute, tingsha bell, tongue drum, glockenspiel

Pleasant Present Plum Practioner

A live remix following live looping of 10 tracks of digitally processed donso ngoni (Bambara hunter's harp), sanza, likembes (thumb pianos). Unmastered. Played it and posted it.

Hen of the Woods

African Thumb Piano and Vocals by John C Thompson

2db I Love You That's All I Can Say Or Do

Here’s a tune written last winter, after a  visit to a beautiful coastal nature preserve called Odiorne State Park, where I got to see some neat looking ducks called Red-Breasted Mergansers, along with plenty of other beautiful oceanic aspects of nature.

Instruments:
Hugh Tracy karimba, glockenspiel, Burke low D tin whistle, Humphrey tin whistle, Meinl tongue drum

Red - Breasted Merganser

The first halF is built out of recordings of a clingfilm (Saran Wrap) 'drum' and the second halF is coaxed out of a thumb piano (mbira) ...

Enjoy the accompanying AI assisted video @ https://youtu.be/IciY1wGJOT4

visuals (YouTube)

halF kaleAIdoscopE

I play a sansula (thumb piano on drum membrane) on a rhythm track and then add kalimba (thumb piano on the right). Hoping to develop something this with added flute.

January calm - sansula and kalimba

Duo with Sasha Bogdanowitsch and Hearn Gadbois on voice and African karimba (thumb piano)

Tal.is.mania Live 3

Moss

This track is a thumb piano plugged into a mini speaker amp that has onboard overdrive.
The output is to a scavenged headphone speaker that is resting on the mylar membrane of a racquet called Sonic Smash.
The Sonic Smash is mounted on a tripod so the membrane is floating free to vibrate.
The racquet has a piezo attached that is input to a preamp then into the recorder.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/41969054@N00/14371288716/in/album-72157594476059557/

Acero Alaap

Download for FREE here: https://sonic-samples.com/kalming-kalimba

Introducing the "Kalming Kalimba" Kontakt sampled instrument. A diverse instrument that offers an endless amount of possibilities for musicians, composers, producers, & more. With a varied selection of over 25 custom-made presets (+ over 10 bonus variations and a default starting point making 38 presets total). This sample library comes with over 15 built-in FX such as reverb, delay, LOFI, drive, rotator, chorus, flanger as well as a randomizer function. This sampled instrument allows you to explore various Kalimba tones effortlessly. From soothing leads to peaceful plucks and even tranquil soundscapes to harsh and distorted tones and textures. The Kalming Kalimba offers exceptional sound quality and uniqueness, unlike any other Kalimba sampled instrument on the market. Each preset is meticulously crafted to provide a distinct character, ensuring that you have the perfect sound for every occasion. Experience the power of the "Kalming Kalimba" and unlock a world of creative possibilities in your musical creations.

-REQUIRES THE FULL UP-TO-DATE VERSION OF KONTAKT 7

Kalming Kalimba (Demo Track)

"Kalming Kalimba" FREE Kontakt Instrument (Demo Track) (MADE WITH BUILT-IN PRESETS ONLY)

Download for FREE here: sonic-samples.com/kalming-kalimba

Introducing the "Kalming Kalimba" Kontakt sampled instrument. A diverse instrument that offers an endless amount of possibilities for musicians, composers, producers, & more. With a varied selection of over 25 custom-made presets (+ over 10 bonus variations and a default starting point making 38 presets total). This sample library comes with over 15 built-in FX such as reverb, delay, LOFI, drive, rotator, chorus, flanger as well as a randomizer function. This sampled instrument allows you to explore various Kalimba tones effortlessly. From soothing leads to peaceful plucks and even tranquil soundscapes to harsh and distorted tones and textures. The Kalming Kalimba offers exceptional sound quality and uniqueness, unlike any other Kalimba sampled instrument on the market. Each preset is meticulously crafted to provide a distinct character, ensuring that you have the perfect sound for every occasion. Experience the power of the "Kalming Kalimba" and unlock a world of creative possibilities in your musical creations.

- REQUIRES THE FULL UP-TO-DATE VERSION OF KONTAKT 7

"Kalming Kalimba" (Preset Demo) (FREE Kontakt Instrument)

Earliest recording of thumb pianos I started making circa 1990.
Recorded on in-built mic of old Sony boombox on found tape. The spoken words at the beginning were on the pre-used tape.

small as dust

2 short asynchronous loops. Testing out a new looper pedal.

itty bitty ditty

© 2020-2023 J. Wehrmeister; Owner, ℗ Des Plaines River Songs Music - ASCAP  
All songs Reg ASCAP & © loc.gov All rights reserved & all have ISRC# codes. Des Plaines River Songs Music, 114 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60013-1116   WE USE ONLY FLESH & BLOOD MUSICIANS. Notice: Streaming Manipulation is not allowed. You should be aware that Streaming Manipulation may be the result of the actions of a third party, such as a promotion or marketing company, record label or music distributor, acting on behalf of an artist or on its own behalf. You are encouraged to investigate and vet any companies or individuals you may enlist, retain, or employ to promote or market your music, as you may be liable for Streaming Manipulation perpetrated by a third party on your behalf. For the avoidance of doubt, any Streaming Manipulation done by a third party on your behalf or that relates to your Recordings is a violation of these Terms of Service.

Welcome to halF unusuaL, an evolving project inspired by the playful spirit of ‘hai’ (meaning “fun” or “unusual” in the word haiku). Here, improvisation meets the unexpected, exploring the boundary between music and non-music to shape soundscapes that feel familiar yet foreign. Listen freely, explore deeply, and if you’d like to see these sounds come to life, stop by the YouTube channel. Thank you for joining the journey! Your support helps keep this soundworld spinning. 🥰

Dr. Cornelius "Thumbs" Pianeer was born in the state of Michigan in the 1950s, the fifth child of nine, "like the center note of a kalimba with two older brothers and two older sisters and two younger brothers and two younger sisters and I learned how to play them all."

Dr. Pianeer holds a Doctorate of Divinity from the Universal Life Church of Seattle, Washington, for which he paid $89 extra to get a fancy diploma, clergy cards, and a binder with all the language for all the typical ceremonies of the world's major religions. 

Dr. Pianeer is prepared to recite ceremonies for birth, transition to adulthood, marriage, sickness, death and despair in five faiths and counting.

In 2010, Dr. Pianeer moved with his wife, Mae, to the mountains of Virginia where they live in the Shenandoah Valley making music, making art, making poetry, and sharing the love with the people of Appalachia.

Liquid Terrain is the work of musician and visual artist Tim Wolf. He describes his work as liquid terrains: fluid landscapes. He has studied Indian classical music, practiced disciplines of improvisation, and worked as an audio engineer and music and live performance producer. Formerly a saxophonist and vocalist, he now performs on several traditional African and digital instruments. Other recordings and visual work can be seen at http://www.liquidterrain.com . Some music is available for download and streaming at https://liquidterrain.bandcamp.com .

Original compositions played upon various acoustic instruments. 

At the moment, the majority of music I record is original folk tunes. Most of these tunes arise whilst out in natural ecosystems or shortly after visiting a natural ecosystem. The titles often reflect an aspect of the ecosystem I had noticed while the tune came about. Lately this is usually a species of bird.

Tin whistles and flutes appear the most often in my recordings; though mandolin, tenor guitar, lyre harp, jaw harp, dulcitar, and a handful of other instruments show up fairly often as well.

And here's some more music I've made along with my friend Dan Jones:
https://soundcloud.com/user-453898279

New tracks tagged #thumb piano