Thumb Piano - How it makes it sound?

Question

Can anyone tell me, in short, how the Thumb Piano makes it sound and different pitches. Like how does it produce those two things? I already Googled it.. but no avail. Thanks

Answer 1

The Thumb Piano, like any acoustic instrument, relies on two main elements:

1. A vibrating component

2. A resonating chamber

When the tines are plucked they vibrate just like a tuning fork.  The length of the tine determines the frequency (or pitch) that it produces.  Shorter tines create higher pitches.

The resonating chamber (if the thumb piano has one) acts as an amplifier.  Air within the chamber vibrates with the tines and escapes through the resonator hole.

The principal is similar to how an acoustic guitar's soundboard works:

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/g...