Another thing I've been meaning to post about for a long time - new music lessons! I'd been interested in getting involved in music somehow, but I wasn't particularly interested in taking drumming lessons, which seems to be the most popular option in the city.
However, I lucked out and stumbled across the National Music School down the street from me (I can literally walk there from my apartment) that gives kora lessons. The kora is a large, stringed instrument played throughout West Africa. In Sénégal, the instrument was traditionally played by the Mandinké and other ethnic groups in the south, and is typically associated with the griot families - the oral historians of the culture.
I love the kora's sound. It reminds me of a harp and is gentle and pleasant sounding even when you're not very good at it (unlike the oboe).
Here's a video clip of my kora teacher playing last class. Once I get good enough to play something other than a six-note riff, I'll put a clip up of me. :)
I do, however, have a picture of myself with my new baby. My teacher had a friend who made koras and he finished making mine about a month ago.
However, I lucked out and stumbled across the National Music School down the street from me (I can literally walk there from my apartment) that gives kora lessons. The kora is a large, stringed instrument played throughout West Africa. In Sénégal, the instrument was traditionally played by the Mandinké and other ethnic groups in the south, and is typically associated with the griot families - the oral historians of the culture.
I love the kora's sound. It reminds me of a harp and is gentle and pleasant sounding even when you're not very good at it (unlike the oboe).
Here's a video clip of my kora teacher playing last class. Once I get good enough to play something other than a six-note riff, I'll put a clip up of me. :)
I do, however, have a picture of myself with my new baby. My teacher had a friend who made koras and he finished making mine about a month ago.
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