Kora
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The Kora is a cross between a harp and a lute, found in Senegal and elsewhere in West Africa. Male musicians play the kora, usually to accompany speech or poetry. Occasionally, metal rings are attached to the neck and these rattle when played. The kora's strings need careful tuning and the playing technique is highly skilled.
| Family |
| Strings |
| Pitch range |
| Variable, but pitch range is usually just over three octaves. |
| Material |
| Gourd resonator, wooden neck, and gut or nylon strings. |
| Size |
| Variable : this example is 34 in (86 cm) long. |
| Origins |
| The kora has been played for at least 200 years in West Africa. It is traditionally associated with minstrels, and played to accompany narrative songs. |
| Classification |
| Chordophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of strings. |
| And also... |
| A decorative cloth is often attached to the neck of the kora. This is usually presented by a woman to show her admiration for the kora player. |
