Playing the complex West African instrument called the kora | 60 Minutes

TL;DR

Sona Jabarte is a female musician who broke tradition to become a leading player of the Korra, a West African instrument with 21 strings.

Transcript

60 Minutes over time every once in a while you learn of a whole world you knew nothing about and you want to let everyone else in on the Discovery Well that's how we felt about a woman named Sona jabarte and the instrument she plays called the Korra the Korra is part of a musical tradition that dates back to a 13th century West African Empire tradi... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤽‍♀️ Sona Jabarte is a trailblazer as the first woman to professionally play the Korra, breaking gender stereotypes in traditional music.
• 🥠 The Korra is a complex instrument with 21 strings, and keeping them in tune can be challenging, especially when traveling to different climates.
• 🤙 The body of the Korra is made from a natural gourd called a calabash, which enhances its sound and resonance.
• 👏 Sona Jabarte's mastery of the Korra is widely recognized, with experts praising her dexterity, speed, and orchestration skills.
• 🖐️ Playing the Korra involves using thumbs for bass notes, fingers for melody, and the ability to orchestrate multiple musical elements.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of Sona Jabarte being the first woman to play the Korra professionally?

Sona's achievement is significant because the tradition of playing the Korra has been passed down from father to son for centuries, making her a musical pioneer and breaking gender stereotypes.

Q: How many strings does the Korra have, and what is the challenge in keeping them in tune?

The Korra has 21 strings, and keeping them in tune is not easy. It requires a well-constructed instrument, and Sona specializes in innovating the construction of the neck and using metal tuning heads for better tuning stability.

Q: What is the material used to make the body of the Korra?

The body of the Korra is made from a natural gourd called a calabash. It is chosen for its resonant sound quality and is commonly used in many instruments in the region.

Q: How did Sona Jabarte become proficient at playing the Korra?

Sona emphasizes the importance of remaining humble and constantly learning. While she doesn't specify the exact number of years it took her to reach her current level, she believes that mastery of any instrument requires a lifelong commitment to learning and improvement.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sona Jabarte is the first woman from one of the five traditional griot families to professionally play the Korra, a West African musical instrument dating back to the 13th century.

• The Korra is a unique instrument, described as a mix between a harp, a lute, and a guitar.

• Sona Jabarte's mastery of the Korra has earned her the reputation as one of the top four players in the world.