KORA

Played mainly in Mali, Senegal and Gambia, the west African double-strung harp or kora has a light, airy, almost glassy sound in comparison to the fuller, heavier tones of the European harp. The two sets of strings are tuned in thirds, requiring the seven-note scale to be  played by alternate hands. This structure produces the particular types of melodic pattern associated with the region.

    I have been playing kora since I fell in love with the sound several years ago, and have developed my own style - not quite African, but acknowledging the African achievement.

    My own instrument is Senagalese, adapted by Les Sherwood of Brighton for easy tuning by machine heads instead of the traditional plaited leather collars around the central post.

Gambian kora player Papa Susso performing at the Third Queens International Poetry Festival

Here is a short piece on my kora tuned to C minor. (Koras are normally in F.) My instrument has 24 strings instead of the traditional 21, giving it the full diatonic range over three octaves and a third.

Kora by Les Sherwood of Adaptatrap, Brighton, England