HARP-KORA 2 - Sound Sample for my webpage construction article
This is certainly not a "performance" but just a quick sound sample meant to accompany an article on building this thing - on my webpage at: http://www.DennisHavlena.com/harp-kor...
This instrument is the most recent version of my "harp-Kora" invention, built in three days of tinkering this week. It has a bit larger soundbox and $2/apiece guitar-type tuners, which make tuning the
21 steel music-wire strings much easier than with zither pins.
Although it looks absolutely nothing like the traditional
west African Kora, it' string's layout, scale, tuning, playing
handles and overall playability is just like the real thing.
I took my original Harp-Kora over to Africa with me a few months
ago and am honored that it is now owned by Brother Boris who is the
Head Kora Builder at Senegal's Keur Moussa Monastery east of Dakar who took a fancy to it.
Kora Master, Prince Cissokho, in Dakar also played it & seemingly
liked it - or at very least thought it an amusing curiosity.
Years ago here in Michigan, Cissokho's cousin, Madi Kouyate also
played my Harp-Kora and likewise seemed to enjoy playing it.
Apologies for butchering this honored old African Kora song
"Mamadu Masina" --- I am a rank novice Kora player as can be seen.
Dennis Havlena
Mackinac Straits
northern Michigan
[email protected]
my complete webpage is at:
www.DennisHavlena.com