Check Out This Magical Thumb Piano Medley from Link’s Awakening
Posted on November 08 2018 by Sean Gadus
Link’s Awakening is a unique Zelda experience. Released in 1993, then re-released in color in 1998, the game was a departure from the traditional castles, monsters, and princesses that the series was known for up to that point. Set on a lush tropical island, the game is much more intimate than the epic Zelda games that predated and followed it.
This Link’s Awakening medley by KarimBaNana uses a thumb piano to create a distinct and beautiful sound. A thumb piano, more specifically a Karimba, is an instrument consisting of a wooden board with attached staggered metal tines. The instrument is played by holding the instrument in one’s hands and plucking the tines with the thumbs. The Karimba is an instrument which has a rich African tradition, dating back thousands of years.
The use of a Karimba gives this medley a haunting and unique sound. The instrument is quite versatile, allowing KarimBaNana to easily mix several different songs together. The track list includes “The Title Screen,” “Koholint Island,” “House,” “Mabe Village,” “Item Shop,” “World Map,” “Tal Tal Mountain,” and “Ending Theme.” Notably absent in this medley is the legendary “Ballad of the Windfish,” which seems perfect for the mysterious sounds that can be created by Karimba.
What do you think of this distinct medley? Let us know in the comments below!
Sean Gadus is a Senior Editor at Zelda Dungeon. His first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time, and he loves all of the 3D Zelda games from 1998-2011. The final battle of Tears of the Kingdom is one of his favorite final battles in the entire series. He wants to help build a kinder, more compassionate world. You can check out his other written work at The-Artifice.com.
