Do you know about the Kora?
 Kora is a traditional instrument of West Africa which is called African harp. Kora is a kind of harp but it's distinctive structure and playing techniques are difficult to find similarity between the other instrument kind of harp. The main function of it is reading to honor their supporter or to play the accompaniment.  

Do you know how to make a Kora?
First, cut the Calabash in half.
Second, the middle of Calabash fasten a long stick.
Third, tie strings to a long stick.
Fourth, in front of the Calabash, stick a cowhide.
Fifth, dry this instrument in the sunshine.

About the Kora structure.
 Nowadays Kora with 21 strings is general kora. But in early days making the Kora, there were many kinds of Kora. Such as Kora with 31 strings, 25 strings.   While the original Kora string was made horsehair or hide a modern style Kora string is made wire string. When you connect Kora with amp, you can hear a sharp sound like guitar. To play it , hold hand post part and bounce the strings. The body of Kora is made of a calabash. so the bigger calabash you use the bigger Kora you make. Kora uses calabash as a sound box. That's why its sound has rich echo.

Who is the famous Kora player?
 There are a lot of Kora players in the world from Africa. Also Their playing techniques are really good.  But I want to tell you about Toumani Diabate. His family has turned out about 70 Kora players. His father taught him when he was young. His brother also Kora player. Now he works in England and France.

Do you know about the Shekere?
Shaker is one of the maracas instruments. Maracas means an instrument which is made of gourd and use its own sound to play. It is not only widespread in South Africa but also spread in central and south Africa. Because African did deportation to other continents.

Do you know structure of Shekere?
Shekere is consists of body and string.
The body is made of gourd. Depending on the gourd shape, instrument maker can get different sounds. So before making the instrument, the instrument maker makes efforts to find a good shape gourd. African Shekere is usually hollowed out gourd.
Nowadays there are a lot of Shekeres, traditional Shekere that is made of gourd to modern Shekere that is made of plastic.

How to make Shekere?
Ingredients: gourd , string, dried seed or grain, shells or glass beads
First, pick a gourd and dry for several month.
Second, hollow out gourd, put dried seed or grain
Third, weave the string with shells or glass beads
Fourth, cover a gourd with string
Tip, shells or beads are more clear sounder than plastic beads. But plastic beads are easier to make it

How to play the Shekere?
Some people think that there are no rules to play the Shekere. But there are 4~6 basic rules to play. Also the characteristic rhythm based on basic rules.

Who is the best shekere player in the world?
The best shekere player in the world is Yosvany Terry from Cuba. He leads a band based on African-Cuban music in New York. He is a well known player of shekere but he is also well known to saxophone.