Description
Professional large Kora – Model 02 – in guayubira with african ebony details – by Luthier
Professional level instrument handcrafted with hard and noble woods that guarantee an excellent sound and the resistance required for this type of instrument.
The gourd (non-edible variety) comes from Senegal and is the soundboard of the instrument. The pegs are bass and electric guitar of very good quality. Goat or cow leather is used for the top of the instrument, giving it an excellent and particular vibration. For the strings, fishing ropes are used because of the sweet sound they produce and also because the instrument requires a wide range of string sizes. The strings pass through the bridge that rests on the leather and are tied to the rope. This in turn is tied to an iron ring screwed to the wood at the bottom of the instrument.
Tuning and string configuration (measurements in mm)
For a 21-string Kora:
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Brief History
The Kora is a very ancient African instrument dating back to the time of the Malian Empire. It belongs to a large family of traditional harps. It has between 21 and 23 strings and is tuned in natural diatonic major scales, with some musical pieces requiring other types of tunings.
It originally comes from countries such as Mali, Guinea, Gambia, Senegal and others. It is an instrument very present in everyday life in these countries. It is an instrument full of mysticism. The gourd represents the earth element, the strings the air, the wood the vegetable world and the iron hoop the metal element.
In the traditional set up, cowhide braids are used to make the pegs and in the past the strings were made with leather or animal guts. Nowadays, the Kora is known all over the world and many musicians have chosen it as a way of leaving the traditional musical format and adapting it to all types of music and instrumental ensembles.
About the Luthier and Teacher
Luthier of African instruments handcrafted in his own luthier’s workshop. He offers African music classes and live performances. Most of the instruments he makes are made with recycled and reused materials, especially wood.
He specializes in African ethnic instruments such as the ngoni, the kora (traditional harps) and the balafon (traditional xylophone).
He began as an autodidact and then studied for two years at the Jatun Maki lutherie school (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Currently he continues to deepen his knowledge by taking wood carving classes.
In 2011 he traveled to Senegal and Mali where he trained in traditional music and lutherie.
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