I think it was sweet when he started smileing you could tell he really loves to play music ^-^ and it sounded so BEAUTIFUL o0o He's deffinantly a pro :3
The kora is cool. It sounds like a cross between a sitar and a harp. The akonting was more the ancestor of the banjo, this sounds like the ancestor of the guitar.
@greendayrocker86 Yes, African instruments are very ancient. But when the slaves were transported to America, they built their ancient instruments here. They may have incorporated some features of other ancient instruments into their home-made Akontings (or banjos), and they definitely incorporated features of Western instruments into them (a very old banjo has been found with the tuning-board of a thrown-out broken guitar grafted onto it). The oldest banjos came here from the Caribbean.
when I first heard kora music I had no idea what it was but it was so enchanting. But it was kora music played by this guy. I have been addicted ever since. Good music is timeless and crosses all boundaries
The instument (Kora)is a very ancient traditional mandingo instrument, it has nothing to do with Europe. It's not because it doesn't contain drums that there are european influences. It's time for some people to understand that african music is diverse. Toumani always underlines the fact that his influences are old traditional west african songs. This song, "Djarabi" is one of them.
@IMFLORIDA305 haha. Soap is a European influence, to the Niggers my ancestors decided to call 'Africans.' So are cars, electricity, etc. Must I really go over this? Bach, Vivaldi, Schumann, Mahler, and MOZART are mere examples. I am pleased to read that you are so frightened of what Euromusik is that you actually have to beguile and put quotations around 'music.' disgusting indeed.
@SoldatSolutrea Sorry,the concept of hygiene does not have it's origins in europe.The european is nothing more then some Johnny come lately nut trying to pass off as a Human.Europeans love to rave about their accomplishments/achievements but you'll die before acknowledging the origin of such things.
@SoldatSolutrea The concept of hygiene didnt reach Euro PEE ons till fairly recent in modern history. They were living amongst pigs,horses,and other livestock for centuries.Matter fact , they lived amongst them for so long that they naturally developed resistances towards disease's such as small pox and etc.Ofcourse, when they came into contact with non Euro Pee ons , they decimated the pops with their disease's.
Thats just a glimpse of how filthy whites are and always have been
BlacknesUnforgivable Well, I will assume that you are a Black man,(a title given to you by the filthy Whites) and I know that this is a touchy subject. Did the majority of the central/eastern European diaspora contract immunity? Yes. But the matter is that the bourgeoisie inevitably resolved to bath on a yearly average, which nonetheless is a great step taken for most any culture. Must I interject that many a sub-Saharan tribe used animal dung often to coat huts? Besides, it's no contest
Music is universal, whatever cultural differences there might be.
There is a impressive movie out now, about the only Symphonic Orchestra in Central Africa. It is called "Kinshasa Symphony".
They play mostly German European Classical Music.
I like this Kora instrument very much. Indeed I think, it could very well play sonatas and fuges. Or: Original African Music could be performed by an orchestra.
Lovely. I wish there'd be more worldwide interest in playing instruments outside the traditional Western canon of instruments. There's this wealth of amazing sounds out there, and we'd be the richer for embracing them more fully.
This man is very talented, its saddens me that music like this does not get popular, i mean why?
I agree with you though cecily( not trying to self promote but my band uses a worldwide intruments, i find these to be the best, i feel they create more intimacy and vibrancy)
@CecilyHeron At the moment i am the only member in the band although will be looking for others in the future. I currently use a small kora, a chinese guitar, a recorder, a kazoo, a harmonica. But it is basically what finds its way to me. Im also making some of my own instruments that include a harp as i cannot afford £2,000 for one!! I will send you a link in a private message :)
His smile during the song alone makes this video. It is refreshing to see someone who loves what he does. Amazing instrument, amazing person, amazing video
having stayed with Toumani in his compound in Bamako, I would like everyone to know that he is as gentle and beautiful a soul in person as he is on stage. N'bamlimaké you've been instrumental in helping me to develop my own style of kora playing. An be kelen
The first time I heard a kora being played was over 30 years ago. It was being played using the old traditional tone system rather than modern Western 8 tone scale system. I was entranced by the instrument, and have been ever since. To my ear, it is one of the most beautiful sounding instruments in the entire world.
This is beautiful music. Unfortunately, I cannot tell what this music would have sounded like before European influence. (or is there no European influence/scales/chords in this sample of music?). I'm very interested in hearing "pure" West African music and seeing if I can relate it to early American Country Blues, but, since I'm not a musicologist, I can't tell when and if there is a European/colonial influence present in the music. Somebody help me out, please. Thank you.
the kora was created by west Afrricans...there is no european influence on the way its sounds. The kora is built from a large calbash cut in half with 21 strings attach to it. This a traditional West African musical instrument. Most Kora players traditionally comes from griot families who are traditional historians...so am pretty sure the Kora had no European influence on the way it sounds
Also you hear the kora in many West African songs usually from Guinea Mali Senegal
I know that Africans played beautiful musical before Europeans arrived, but that doesn't mean the Europeans didn't change the music at all. However, if you are saying there are no European scales or chords being used, I'll take your word for it.
I understand all of that, but I also know that Lomax recorded hundreds of types of music from around the world, from various cultures, and all of this was issued on record, and later on cd, for the world to hear. I've also seen Salif Keita (correct?) and Toure state that they love John Lee Hooker and are influenced by him.
None of it angers me at all. I am obsessed with Country Blue and early Jazz, and am just starting to learn about West African music. Southbobby, what about Salif's comments that an African-American influenced his music, and what about world musics being available all over the world? Isn't it naive to think that ALL of the West African artists we hear today are singing "pure" African music?
i didn't mean to upset u... i was just saying that many African songs always reflect their countries' (or region) traditional sounds...i don't think Europeans had any influence in that...bout Salif or even Youssou, they sometimes record songs that might sound like R&B but the rythym of their songs is traditional...though most of their songs are very very traditional (not sounding like R&B at all)
if u want i can send u some traditional gunean songs am sure you'll like them :)
dear cybythesea, i have the kora and i am looking for some one to teach me how to play it ... i am from that african region where kora is born and i feel that i can play it by heart ..but i find it difficult to tune it ..i broke the cords and those fishing stringz are not easy to find ... lets get in touch ..am in new york
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Secound that....I to use the Quaran as toilet paper. When i run out though, i got many other religious books i then use. I think i am on for the Bible next! Page 5, Verse 4....Oh, its got shit all over that page! Lmao, fucking fake arse relgion. Give me my LittleBigPlanet and i will give you my tea towel i have in the kitchen.... :)
1- In the 2nd minute.."kollo nafsin tha'iqatol mawt", literally: 'Every soul shall have the taste of death').
2- Almost immediately after: "kollo man alaiha fan", literally: 'All that is on earth will perish').
He is using the quran inappropriatly and skipping important sentances that make this context make sense besides quran verses shudnt be usd in music theyre holy its kidna liek jay z making a sogn with verses of bible.. :S
O o o this is so good... so smooth... He said this is "Diarabi" i already have Ali Farka's Diarabi but this is so different, Toumani truly has Ginga... god bless him :)
There are 4 tunings for a seven note scale in 3 octaves since there are 21 strings. Traditionally they don't say octave the word used is "voice".
2 of the 4 traditional tunings closely match the major and minor scale and the remaining 2 have no equivalent in European tradition; these 2 have more in common with the "blues notes". This tradition goes back almost 1000 years so there many tunings but 4 core tunings considered traditional.
is that body resonance made of a squash or something alike ?
Well, I liked and sometimes still like electrical guitar, like Steve Vai and Malmsteen etc. but usually I myself prefer acoustic music more, like Jazz and european "classical" music. It is more subtle and sensitive. Maybe Mr. Toumani thinks the same of the acoustic Kora. Thanks for the info, best regards, ULi
You are more than welcome. I love the Kora, I actually have a small one at home but can't yet afford a full size one. It is in fact made from a calabash, which is a type of plant that is hollowed out and stretched with leather. The electric Kora can be made with metal or plastic and (i believe, though I could be wrong) was pioneered by Seckou Keita, a Kora player based here in the UK.
You presume there's the past is wrong. In Africa music isn't simply entertainment and the Jaliya aren't simply musicians. This is a complex caste which is the living memory of the people, advisers to the nobility and educators of the future. Every part of the Kora, especially the 21 strings, is symbolic in nature and honors the Earth.
The Jaliya have never written down history purposefully not because of illiteracy, thus protecting it from loss through conquest.
European tradition, at least the so called "Classical" (including nonclassical like baroque and romantic etc.) is more architecture-alike. European music offers a big tradition and made big changes.Curiously, the concert scene seems to be stuck in the past, as the big three - Bach, Beethoven and Mozart - still dominate the concert hall programmes. The establishment wants to listen to the old stuff,not new music.
I would appreciate info about African sinfonies and operas, like Carmen in Xhosa.
Furthermore the tuning rings aren't fixed so they can be adjusted to suit any number of tunning possibilities. In this tradition there's no notion of whole, half, quarter, ect. only the sound and the sentiment it's meant to evoke.
There really isn't even the notion of beginning or end when it comes to timing. Every song is merely a composition of minute parts strung together in loose order. A player may enter, exit, or vary at any point. In this regard it is more akin to Jazz than Classical.
Hi! I did not mean to be respectless, I am sorry if I gave that impression. I dont know much about musical theory. To me, "modern" should mean progress, though so called modern art is not always an improvement. Maybe there are two fundamental ways of making music. One is the "jazzy" thing, invented in the very moment. Perhaps, that is more like African music or Indian. Thus every performance is unique and a high standard of musicality of the performers is needed.
I didn't perceive disrespect just a different perspective. As for African symphonies, there is no such tradition to my knowledge. African cultures have never separated any aspect of life into different categories and spheres. Thus Art for the sake of art (or money) was unfathomable. Often times music and other art forms are teaching tools, healing techniques, and forms of communication integral to all aspects of life. The Art is ever-present and therefore a symphony is seen as needless.
Symphonies are needless ? well.. As Oscar Wilde said: All art is useless, at least beautiful art. Somehow like that went his aphorism...hahaha.
But a symphony, an opera or a Rock or Rap-song can very well express a lot ant might have extra-musical influences as well. I am not into spritrtualisms, I just enjoy great music, whereever it comes from.
I distrust esoterical things, like healing trhough music. Healing is something for the doctors. personal bad experiences...
I can understand your distrust but the same spiritual system that produced the Kora also produced Fractal Mathematics, Binary logic, and the arch-types the Jungian arch-types are based upon. The first recorded "psychiatrists" were "mystics" from North and West Africa.
Weather you believe in it or not music can definitely heal. The body can not be healed if the mind is ailing.
Malian thinkers and mystics were masters of social engineering and there's much we can learn from them.
Well, if you have had a heavy car-crash, the first thing you really need is an ambulance and a surgery. The psychologigal, "spiritual" healing will come afterwards and do its work. Personally I had simply bad experiences with religion, esoteric things and very good experiences with science and modern medicine.
The great Daniel Barenboim performed not only Beethoven nineth sinfony in Accra to celebrate the 50ths aniversary of independence. He also performed in Chicago "African Portraits" by Hannibal. There are some nice interviews with Barenboim here on youtube.
Question: Do Africans perceive the performance of classical european music on african soil a cultural imperialism ?
That's a great question and it depends on whom you speak to. I personally don't think so, as long as it's not used to overpower the culture already present.
Yeah, true. Pity that most superstars dont tour Africa on their "world-tours".
The question was partly provocative. There are many white "Afro-Freaks" in Europe. Würzburg has a big festival for example.
I, as an European, would feel flattered if there was more unique interest in European "high culture" from Africans, too. Like: Germany is more then BMW,wars and football.
Well the divide is there not just between Africans and Europeans, but between people and their own culture. I grew up with a strong since of heritage and culture and a passion for history so I studied far more than African history. In fact I was hooked on Gothic Germany during the middle ages. Between the plague and the banditry that ruled the day I was amazed people were able to survive that period; and more intrigued by the heroes that emerged from those circumstances.
There was no "gothic" medivial Germany, but a gothic style in architecture and that rather started in France. Gothic was a swearword of the used by italians to express disrespect of the northern art. The real gothic tribes from Sweden had already gone to Spain and Eastern Europe. Anyway, I find the ages of "fin du siecle", enlightenment and the classical era in Greece and also the Rennaissance more thrilling. It gave humankind more impulses for science and skeptic thinking.
The Enlightenment and Renaissance is interesting but I think it was far more significant for Europe than the rest of humanity. It was basically the time when Europe began to "catch-up" to the rest of the world in terms of intellectual pursuits.
Many of their concepts were centuries old Islamic and Taoist discoveries. Such as the father of secularism, Ibn Rashd (Averoes), or Binary parity (Geomancy) from Mali.
Excatly. Europe had to catch up. Yes, you are right. I have just read about that rpeatingly in a history book. The so called German empire at that time merely consisted of a few small cities and villages, while Cordoba and Timbuktu and Constantinopolis and so on were the centers of science and power.
Focusing only on the good while ignoring the bad is a dangerous mistake.
For example the fall of Rome to the Gothic tribes lead to the dark ages. In the same century the Walata confederacy in West Africa would fall to Berber hordes from the North. When Jalis sing the praises of the Ghana kings who pulled the region together or the golden age of Mali to follow, they speak with just as much detail to the barbarity and suffering that preceded these ages because they are just as important.
The fall of Rome was bad for the Romans and good for the goths, just as the fall of Walata was good for the Berber. Sometimes I wonder, what my tribe, my heritage is. I guess I am mostly saxon. The Saxons were brutally christianized by the Franks (Charlemagne). Maybe I am partly Frankish, maybe some Roman in me. Basically, I am like all humans: African.
It does not really matter to me. I`m an individual. History is for fools. The past is past, the presence is too short. The future is open.
Hm, I like how he combines base melody, the accompiment and the fast improvistation on just one instrument, like a whole band. Its like playing with three hands.
No, I have no idea. I found this video by chance. I am not very familiar with west-african music. I usually listen to European piano music. It is astonishing, how Toumani achieves a similar complexity with this old instrument. Marvellous. Well, the most expensive and best violins are the very old ones.
However this is not to say Africa has no theatrical tradition. Quite the contrary, theatrical performance of past heroes, villains, saints, and forces of nature were quite common in pre-colonial Africa. Often times the performances were epics or praise poetry devoted to semi-mythical matriarchs, patriarchs, and arch-personas. Sometimes these events served political purposes as in the tradition of summoning Jali(Griot) poets in a battle of improvised wits to relieve tensions between peoples.
To put it clear: I do not disrespect traditional African cultures. Neither do I disrespect ancient European/Asian/American/ Australian. To me, modern methods like sceptisicm and the use of scripture have a positive influence both in technology AND art/music, too. That started in Africa/Asia earlier then in Europe, as you mentioned yourself. But:Progress!
It would be nice, for instance, to have a duett of Kora with piano, or to perform one of those old MaliLegends as an opera on stage in Munich!
I strongly agree that African epics should be performed abroad, but if an Opera then in our own musical tradition in order to bridge gaps and change perceptions. So much of Africa's history and great achievements are steeped in secrecy for many reasons. The first being the Imperial behavior of outsiders and the need to protect culture and knowledge from the destructive normalizing forces of Empire.
Well, it it of course very nice to preserve cultural heritage. Concerning music, there is the same discussion going on in Europe. Should old works be performed on old instruments in old style or better on modern "classical" instruments? I pressume, that all the arts that had been neglected for so long by mainstream west were neglected because of their isolation. That causes artistic and intellectual incest. Mahler said: Good tradition means to keep the flame alive and not to worship the ashes.
mes respects... magnifique
benjydoe 2 weeks ago
Wow it sounds great. A sort of guitar sound but much richer and more resonant.
Compooky121 1 month ago
This is beautifuuuull!!!! :DDDD
NotJustAnyNarWhal 2 months ago 2
I think it was sweet when he started smileing you could tell he really loves to play music ^-^ and it sounded so BEAUTIFUL o0o He's deffinantly a pro :3
sapphirejynx 2 months ago
Does anyone know what the song he is playing is called? I wanna listen to the whole thing!
7shabba 3 months ago
@7shabba I'm not too sure he's playing an actual song. He did say he was improvising in the vid, so maybe it's just that.
IcyBluJay 2 months ago
0:28
SrNetsWalker 5 months ago
0:27
SrNetsWalker 5 months ago
0:19
SrNetsWalker 5 months ago
seckou keita quartet?
ClockworkFacility1 6 months ago
Beautiful, he's a virtuoso.
Leftysfive93 6 months ago 3
How are there any dislikes on this?
westmelody 7 months ago
Playing akonting will get you laid, kora will not get you laid!
PipeIncognitosGirl 7 months ago
i've played that kora :) its beautiful
josh1doughty 8 months ago
Amazing
TomDodsonMusic 8 months ago
cheeky bastard
ShaolinPete 9 months ago
@ShaolinPete ?? what ??
nycoshouse 8 months ago
what a beautiful instrument
tkuliocowske 9 months ago
7 dislikes? perhaps because it is not long enough
duckfoodtoet 11 months ago 2
Comment removed
duckfoodtoet 11 months ago
Joy PURE PURE JOY
hotsatsuma 11 months ago
Der Kora meister, innovator and professor Toumani. Gives good tips for all those who will to learn this instrument in Mali and West Africa
MrMaridjata 1 year ago
among the slickest performances so far at the museum. great night and great music.
TheMIMvideo 1 year ago
The Kora is such an incredible instrument - Toumani Diabate is one of the legendary greats!
SSQC23 1 year ago
what's the name of this song?
alafaluyagotofaluya 1 year ago
@alafaluyagotofaluya I believe it's Jarabi.
alitamf84 1 year ago
despide i have no ideea how he do that .... i love it
Coolunny 1 year ago
This man is so humble
JoStylin 1 year ago
the sound is like the hammered dulcimer. i'd love to hear the two together
jovialduke 1 year ago
The kora is cool. It sounds like a cross between a sitar and a harp. The akonting was more the ancestor of the banjo, this sounds like the ancestor of the guitar.
54markl 1 year ago
@54markl just asking, but how can the akonting be an ancestor of the banjo, because my music teacher says African instruments are ancient?
greendayrocker86 1 year ago
@greendayrocker86 Yes, African instruments are very ancient. But when the slaves were transported to America, they built their ancient instruments here. They may have incorporated some features of other ancient instruments into their home-made Akontings (or banjos), and they definitely incorporated features of Western instruments into them (a very old banjo has been found with the tuning-board of a thrown-out broken guitar grafted onto it). The oldest banjos came here from the Caribbean.
54markl 1 year ago 3
@54markl thanks, really helps with my homework. :)
greendayrocker86 1 year ago
@greendayrocker86 Cool! Check out some of the geat Akonting videos here on Youtube.
54markl 1 year ago
He made my soul happy, thank you so much man. =)
DhinCardoso 1 year ago
THUMBS UP IF U THINK THIS MUSIC IS GOOD =]
wifioncod 1 year ago
Goosebumps! :)
reGGaelord 1 year ago 2
see him LIVE in AUg 11 & 12 2010 , Millennium PArk Chicago Free Admission, Lee
LeeChgo 1 year ago
that beautiful, i just wish it was longer!
IzzyCello999 1 year ago
yeah nice !
CircleStaun 1 year ago
when I first heard kora music I had no idea what it was but it was so enchanting. But it was kora music played by this guy. I have been addicted ever since. Good music is timeless and crosses all boundaries
mereje 1 year ago
his daughteris in my class
lala01907 1 year ago
the only bad thing about this video is that it isn't longer! i was jammin there and then it cut out. bummer.
shannyfanny46 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
His style of playing and the instrument's setup obviously have a large European influence to them.
SoldatSolutrea 1 year ago
@SoldatSolutrea
Lol! here we go!
The instument (Kora)is a very ancient traditional mandingo instrument, it has nothing to do with Europe. It's not because it doesn't contain drums that there are european influences. It's time for some people to understand that african music is diverse. Toumani always underlines the fact that his influences are old traditional west african songs. This song, "Djarabi" is one of them.
malila85 1 year ago 3
@SoldatSolutrea You American are insane.
oramikleepunk 1 year ago
@SoldatSolutrea This is west African Music.You must be an American.
oramikleepunk 1 year ago
@SoldatSolutrea You are obviously stupid.
MagnusVidar1969 1 year ago
@SoldatSolutrea European influence? Are you on crack!!!? Since when did Afrikans feel the need to mimik europeans? you have no "music" to speak of
IMFLORIDA305 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@IMFLORIDA305 haha. Soap is a European influence, to the Niggers my ancestors decided to call 'Africans.' So are cars, electricity, etc. Must I really go over this? Bach, Vivaldi, Schumann, Mahler, and MOZART are mere examples. I am pleased to read that you are so frightened of what Euromusik is that you actually have to beguile and put quotations around 'music.' disgusting indeed.
SoldatSolutrea 1 year ago
@SoldatSolutrea Sorry,the concept of hygiene does not have it's origins in europe.The european is nothing more then some Johnny come lately nut trying to pass off as a Human.Europeans love to rave about their accomplishments/achievements but you'll die before acknowledging the origin of such things.
IMFLORIDA305 1 year ago
@SoldatSolutrea The concept of hygiene didnt reach Euro PEE ons till fairly recent in modern history. They were living amongst pigs,horses,and other livestock for centuries.Matter fact , they lived amongst them for so long that they naturally developed resistances towards disease's such as small pox and etc.Ofcourse, when they came into contact with non Euro Pee ons , they decimated the pops with their disease's.
Thats just a glimpse of how filthy whites are and always have been
BlacknesUnforgivable 9 months ago
BlacknesUnforgivable Well, I will assume that you are a Black man,(a title given to you by the filthy Whites) and I know that this is a touchy subject. Did the majority of the central/eastern European diaspora contract immunity? Yes. But the matter is that the bourgeoisie inevitably resolved to bath on a yearly average, which nonetheless is a great step taken for most any culture. Must I interject that many a sub-Saharan tribe used animal dung often to coat huts? Besides, it's no contest
SoldatSolutrea 9 months ago
@IMFLORIDA305 you spell africans with a K are you Dutch? or just a beg?
sermeister 1 year ago
@IMFLORIDA305
Hey. Don´t get mad, if people try to mock you.
Music is universal, whatever cultural differences there might be.
There is a impressive movie out now, about the only Symphonic Orchestra in Central Africa. It is called "Kinshasa Symphony".
They play mostly German European Classical Music.
I like this Kora instrument very much. Indeed I think, it could very well play sonatas and fuges. Or: Original African Music could be performed by an orchestra.
Music is open for mixtures.
ulizinho 1 year ago
Huauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! grande sooooooooooooooooom! Amei, tu tocas muito bem mesmo!( i speack portugues) I love that!
neggercat 1 year ago
Thanks for uploading! Beautiful music!
AlexanderDaniels 1 year ago
Amazing... Thanks!
midwestherbalist 1 year ago
cool!!!! An African harp!!!! The Improvisation almost sounded like Baroque Harpsicord music!!!
hardinmichael1981 1 year ago
on dirait deux instruments
nuib100 1 year ago
anyone know the chord changes? played by what sounds like a nylon acous, guitar
MISFITROBBY138 1 year ago
To me that smile looks like 'Oops, I didn't play what I intended to play'.. :)
rodeohero 1 year ago 2
I love how around :45 he was feeling it so much he couldnt hide his expression. Real nice.
HimNameisHim 1 year ago 15
Lovely. I wish there'd be more worldwide interest in playing instruments outside the traditional Western canon of instruments. There's this wealth of amazing sounds out there, and we'd be the richer for embracing them more fully.
CecilyHeron 1 year ago 8
so real......!
knite7 1 year ago
This man is very talented, its saddens me that music like this does not get popular, i mean why?
I agree with you though cecily( not trying to self promote but my band uses a worldwide intruments, i find these to be the best, i feel they create more intimacy and vibrancy)
ophelianymph 1 year ago
ophelianymph, yeah definitely.
Which instruments does your band use?
It seems that there's some randomness
and luck in what instruments rise to fame/
popularity doesn't it? I guess it's up to people
like you and your band to set about changing that.
CecilyHeron 1 year ago
@CecilyHeron At the moment i am the only member in the band although will be looking for others in the future. I currently use a small kora, a chinese guitar, a recorder, a kazoo, a harmonica. But it is basically what finds its way to me. Im also making some of my own instruments that include a harp as i cannot afford £2,000 for one!! I will send you a link in a private message :)
ophelianymph 1 year ago
I'm so excited about seeing Toumani Diabate play at Wycwhood Festival in the summer :-)
kissmyfacemusic 1 year ago
he has the voice of book narrator . how many people do you know have a nice voice even when they aren't singing at all ? not many.
cannoir 1 year ago
very magistral interpretation
boibrasileiro 2 years ago
coolest thing ever
CayennePepper15 2 years ago
wow
MISFITROBBY138 2 years ago
yeah.. his smile does it.. its beautiful
khadijabaybe 2 years ago 3
wonderful playing deserving 5 stars. Bravo !
LibertangoVieenrose 2 years ago
So is this the french guianas?
shortsandsheep 2 years ago
His smile during the song alone makes this video. It is refreshing to see someone who loves what he does. Amazing instrument, amazing person, amazing video
lastemp3ror 2 years ago 83
having stayed with Toumani in his compound in Bamako, I would like everyone to know that he is as gentle and beautiful a soul in person as he is on stage. N'bamlimaké you've been instrumental in helping me to develop my own style of kora playing. An be kelen
BabatheStoryteller 2 years ago
absolutely beautifuL!
nepalnt21 2 years ago
I love his face while he plays, you can feel the joy there, even during a "simple" improvisation.
yelyarb 2 years ago 4
wooot he is just improvising, veeeery good
mrBults 2 years ago 3
alucinante
5 star
intietereo 2 years ago
lovely
wiioperator 2 years ago 2
Beautiful music.
Etiopeful 2 years ago 36
what language is he speaking?
poppadocknock 2 years ago
He's speaking French.
carenkh 2 years ago 2
French.
saleall 2 years ago
Wonderful! He is currently touring with Bela Fleck. Go see!
aeropilot 2 years ago 2
oh, look at him improvising and smiling:) divine!
suoziming88 2 years ago 3
What an amazing instrument. It sounds so wonderful.
RPfishh 2 years ago 5
The first time I heard a kora being played was over 30 years ago. It was being played using the old traditional tone system rather than modern Western 8 tone scale system. I was entranced by the instrument, and have been ever since. To my ear, it is one of the most beautiful sounding instruments in the entire world.
QuiglysMom 2 years ago
i really want to cry when hearing this.
justsid 2 years ago 3
what is the name of this song/album
3canal30 2 years ago
Mr. Diabate,
I was curious, are you a member of the jalolu?
scubagirllisa 2 years ago
Beautiful!! Thank you for giving us a taste of how you play this instrument!
scubagirllisa 2 years ago
uplifting music, thank you Tounami ,
Eligroen 2 years ago
mis respetos para la musica de senegal
tr3m3nd02007 2 years ago
superb! the real thing! toumaniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! from cuba with love :-)
cubanpirate 3 years ago
That instrument is awesome. He's hecka great on it, too.
CantaloupeKingMusic 3 years ago
so beautiful...
Pamathey 3 years ago 2
What kind of tuning do they use?
inricheetos 3 years ago
wow!!!
megaActeck 3 years ago
One of Toumani's students , Yakuba Kouyaté has koras for sale at skinsandstrings . Majestic instruments that are surprisingly intuitive to play.
skinsandstrings 3 years ago
I really wish mine had arrived in the mail.
I really, REALLY wish mine had arrived in the mail, but it's been over three months.
damienamarty 2 years ago
Qe c'est beau!
je me souviens du temps que jái passe en guinee Bissao... bises, mon pote
RipRabbitGurl 3 years ago
it gets amazing when he starts improvising
the kora is one of the best things to reach youtube.
BasePlug 3 years ago
This is beautiful music. Unfortunately, I cannot tell what this music would have sounded like before European influence. (or is there no European influence/scales/chords in this sample of music?). I'm very interested in hearing "pure" West African music and seeing if I can relate it to early American Country Blues, but, since I'm not a musicologist, I can't tell when and if there is a European/colonial influence present in the music. Somebody help me out, please. Thank you.
doctorpep1 3 years ago
the kora was created by west Afrricans...there is no european influence on the way its sounds. The kora is built from a large calbash cut in half with 21 strings attach to it. This a traditional West African musical instrument. Most Kora players traditionally comes from griot families who are traditional historians...so am pretty sure the Kora had no European influence on the way it sounds
Also you hear the kora in many West African songs usually from Guinea Mali Senegal
hope that helps
listenteetee 3 years ago
i also want to add the griots or West Africans have been playing this instrument hudreds of years ago before the arrival of any europeans
listenteetee 3 years ago
I know that Africans played beautiful musical before Europeans arrived, but that doesn't mean the Europeans didn't change the music at all. However, if you are saying there are no European scales or chords being used, I'll take your word for it.
doctorpep1 3 years ago
I understand all of that, but I also know that Lomax recorded hundreds of types of music from around the world, from various cultures, and all of this was issued on record, and later on cd, for the world to hear. I've also seen Salif Keita (correct?) and Toure state that they love John Lee Hooker and are influenced by him.
doctorpep1 3 years ago
Doctorpep
No one influence Africans when it comes to music or dance.I don't know if this might anger you, but they influenced European music.
southbobby 3 years ago
None of it angers me at all. I am obsessed with Country Blue and early Jazz, and am just starting to learn about West African music. Southbobby, what about Salif's comments that an African-American influenced his music, and what about world musics being available all over the world? Isn't it naive to think that ALL of the West African artists we hear today are singing "pure" African music?
doctorpep1 3 years ago
i didn't mean to upset u... i was just saying that many African songs always reflect their countries' (or region) traditional sounds...i don't think Europeans had any influence in that...bout Salif or even Youssou, they sometimes record songs that might sound like R&B but the rythym of their songs is traditional...though most of their songs are very very traditional (not sounding like R&B at all)
if u want i can send u some traditional gunean songs am sure you'll like them :)
listenteetee 3 years ago 4
Well put!! Some of the Jazz greats from the U.S. studied with West African musicians.
Kane614 3 years ago
So beautiful
LainiWa 3 years ago
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this suks
sambarnyard 3 years ago
Heard a Kora for the firt time in Juffureh (Gambia) Amazing sound, just have to find out more about it
hazegood 3 years ago
great music
sybergurl6 3 years ago
What great playing! Do you have any materials to give lessons! I am looking to buy a Kora and take lessons, thank you~
Chris Yeaton
cybythesea 3 years ago
dear cybythesea, i have the kora and i am looking for some one to teach me how to play it ... i am from that african region where kora is born and i feel that i can play it by heart ..but i find it difficult to tune it ..i broke the cords and those fishing stringz are not easy to find ... lets get in touch ..am in new york
ERZAJOP 3 years ago
amazing
NinaAnneRicks 3 years ago
Aha! Now to find the DVD...excellent musician.
croon4u 3 years ago
Maybe I can help a bit there.
The documentary comes along with the CD
"Boulevard De L'independance." Maybe check out your local city library to see if you can borrow it, cos it may be a bit expensive.
Neanderthalcouzin 3 years ago 2
Beautiful music. I find it interesting that the Kora is made from the calabash or African bottle gourd.
BodaciousInfidel 3 years ago
Holy fuck!! Toumani is baaaaaad!!!
strongpikin 3 years ago
Beautiful!
christinealtparry 3 years ago
wow. cool..
mellowbeans 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Fuck the quran ..! I use it as shit paper Muslims..!
Primevals33 3 years ago
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Secound that....I to use the Quaran as toilet paper. When i run out though, i got many other religious books i then use. I think i am on for the Bible next! Page 5, Verse 4....Oh, its got shit all over that page! Lmao, fucking fake arse relgion. Give me my LittleBigPlanet and i will give you my tea towel i have in the kitchen.... :)
BlackRainGraffiti 3 years ago
Hope you recover your humanity, too
bluensunshine 3 years ago
What you on about?
BlackRainGraffiti 3 years ago
How do you actually live with yourself?
bluensunshine 3 years ago
That is absolutely of its rocker. This guy is nothing short of amazing. 5 stars to this amazing guy.
BlackRainGraffiti 3 years ago 2
1- In the 2nd minute.."kollo nafsin tha'iqatol mawt", literally: 'Every soul shall have the taste of death').
2- Almost immediately after: "kollo man alaiha fan", literally: 'All that is on earth will perish').
He is using the quran inappropriatly and skipping important sentances that make this context make sense besides quran verses shudnt be usd in music theyre holy its kidna liek jay z making a sogn with verses of bible.. :S
Ikarah 3 years ago
Well... Many rappers use little passages of the bible... No harm done.
emanuelancuta 3 years ago
i rly like the fact that my name can make so beautiful music :O ....<3
peppelswearsbootz 3 years ago
wow. is all i can say.
absolutjoann 3 years ago
just one word:respect
Albertoxs 3 years ago
Genius
iceroxxx 3 years ago 4
O o o this is so good... so smooth... He said this is "Diarabi" i already have Ali Farka's Diarabi but this is so different, Toumani truly has Ginga... god bless him :)
frizzysa 3 years ago
I saw him in Lisbon.
I realy like it
merdinhas 3 years ago
One of you bastards post his brilliant Jools Holland performance.
Please.
TheAnxiousMan 3 years ago 2
Awesome!
Viva Toumani Diabate!
cubanpirate 3 years ago 2
Amazingly talented. 'Nuff said.
- C sXe
endofsomething 3 years ago
are the chords strung in the way, that one could play an octave in the same way as on a guitar or a harp ?
ulizinho 3 years ago
There are 4 tunings for a seven note scale in 3 octaves since there are 21 strings. Traditionally they don't say octave the word used is "voice".
2 of the 4 traditional tunings closely match the major and minor scale and the remaining 2 have no equivalent in European tradition; these 2 have more in common with the "blues notes". This tradition goes back almost 1000 years so there many tunings but 4 core tunings considered traditional.
iArsalan 3 years ago
I thought, that physically, there are only half and whole intervalls.
Has the Kora already been "modernized", like made of metal, or carbon fibres or electical ?
Would be cool. African music should not be stuck in the past.
ulizinho 3 years ago
Yes. The electric Kora exists, but Toumani himself has expressed a general dislike of it in terms of sound quality.
- C sXe
endofsomething 3 years ago
is that body resonance made of a squash or something alike ?
Well, I liked and sometimes still like electrical guitar, like Steve Vai and Malmsteen etc. but usually I myself prefer acoustic music more, like Jazz and european "classical" music. It is more subtle and sensitive. Maybe Mr. Toumani thinks the same of the acoustic Kora. Thanks for the info, best regards, ULi
ulizinho 3 years ago
You are more than welcome. I love the Kora, I actually have a small one at home but can't yet afford a full size one. It is in fact made from a calabash, which is a type of plant that is hollowed out and stretched with leather. The electric Kora can be made with metal or plastic and (i believe, though I could be wrong) was pioneered by Seckou Keita, a Kora player based here in the UK.
Cheers!
- C sXe
endofsomething 3 years ago
You presume there's the past is wrong. In Africa music isn't simply entertainment and the Jaliya aren't simply musicians. This is a complex caste which is the living memory of the people, advisers to the nobility and educators of the future. Every part of the Kora, especially the 21 strings, is symbolic in nature and honors the Earth.
The Jaliya have never written down history purposefully not because of illiteracy, thus protecting it from loss through conquest.
Modern doesn't = improvement.
iArsalan 3 years ago
European tradition, at least the so called "Classical" (including nonclassical like baroque and romantic etc.) is more architecture-alike. European music offers a big tradition and made big changes.Curiously, the concert scene seems to be stuck in the past, as the big three - Bach, Beethoven and Mozart - still dominate the concert hall programmes. The establishment wants to listen to the old stuff,not new music.
I would appreciate info about African sinfonies and operas, like Carmen in Xhosa.
ulizinho 3 years ago
Furthermore the tuning rings aren't fixed so they can be adjusted to suit any number of tunning possibilities. In this tradition there's no notion of whole, half, quarter, ect. only the sound and the sentiment it's meant to evoke.
There really isn't even the notion of beginning or end when it comes to timing. Every song is merely a composition of minute parts strung together in loose order. A player may enter, exit, or vary at any point. In this regard it is more akin to Jazz than Classical.
iArsalan 3 years ago
Hi! I did not mean to be respectless, I am sorry if I gave that impression. I dont know much about musical theory. To me, "modern" should mean progress, though so called modern art is not always an improvement. Maybe there are two fundamental ways of making music. One is the "jazzy" thing, invented in the very moment. Perhaps, that is more like African music or Indian. Thus every performance is unique and a high standard of musicality of the performers is needed.
ulizinho 3 years ago
I didn't perceive disrespect just a different perspective. As for African symphonies, there is no such tradition to my knowledge. African cultures have never separated any aspect of life into different categories and spheres. Thus Art for the sake of art (or money) was unfathomable. Often times music and other art forms are teaching tools, healing techniques, and forms of communication integral to all aspects of life. The Art is ever-present and therefore a symphony is seen as needless.
iArsalan 3 years ago
Symphonies are needless ? well.. As Oscar Wilde said: All art is useless, at least beautiful art. Somehow like that went his aphorism...hahaha.
But a symphony, an opera or a Rock or Rap-song can very well express a lot ant might have extra-musical influences as well. I am not into spritrtualisms, I just enjoy great music, whereever it comes from.
I distrust esoterical things, like healing trhough music. Healing is something for the doctors. personal bad experiences...
ulizinho 3 years ago
I can understand your distrust but the same spiritual system that produced the Kora also produced Fractal Mathematics, Binary logic, and the arch-types the Jungian arch-types are based upon. The first recorded "psychiatrists" were "mystics" from North and West Africa.
Weather you believe in it or not music can definitely heal. The body can not be healed if the mind is ailing.
Malian thinkers and mystics were masters of social engineering and there's much we can learn from them.
iArsalan 3 years ago
Well, if you have had a heavy car-crash, the first thing you really need is an ambulance and a surgery. The psychologigal, "spiritual" healing will come afterwards and do its work. Personally I had simply bad experiences with religion, esoteric things and very good experiences with science and modern medicine.
Progress !
ulizinho 3 years ago
The great Daniel Barenboim performed not only Beethoven nineth sinfony in Accra to celebrate the 50ths aniversary of independence. He also performed in Chicago "African Portraits" by Hannibal. There are some nice interviews with Barenboim here on youtube.
Question: Do Africans perceive the performance of classical european music on african soil a cultural imperialism ?
have a nice weekend, ULi
ulizinho 3 years ago
HAha ! Just found a nice video of Kora together with Cello, wow !
ulizinho 3 years ago
That's a great question and it depends on whom you speak to. I personally don't think so, as long as it's not used to overpower the culture already present.
iArsalan 3 years ago
Yeah, true. Pity that most superstars dont tour Africa on their "world-tours".
The question was partly provocative. There are many white "Afro-Freaks" in Europe. Würzburg has a big festival for example.
I, as an European, would feel flattered if there was more unique interest in European "high culture" from Africans, too. Like: Germany is more then BMW,wars and football.
ulizinho 3 years ago
Well the divide is there not just between Africans and Europeans, but between people and their own culture. I grew up with a strong since of heritage and culture and a passion for history so I studied far more than African history. In fact I was hooked on Gothic Germany during the middle ages. Between the plague and the banditry that ruled the day I was amazed people were able to survive that period; and more intrigued by the heroes that emerged from those circumstances.
iArsalan 3 years ago
There was no "gothic" medivial Germany, but a gothic style in architecture and that rather started in France. Gothic was a swearword of the used by italians to express disrespect of the northern art. The real gothic tribes from Sweden had already gone to Spain and Eastern Europe. Anyway, I find the ages of "fin du siecle", enlightenment and the classical era in Greece and also the Rennaissance more thrilling. It gave humankind more impulses for science and skeptic thinking.
ulizinho 3 years ago
The Enlightenment and Renaissance is interesting but I think it was far more significant for Europe than the rest of humanity. It was basically the time when Europe began to "catch-up" to the rest of the world in terms of intellectual pursuits.
Many of their concepts were centuries old Islamic and Taoist discoveries. Such as the father of secularism, Ibn Rashd (Averoes), or Binary parity (Geomancy) from Mali.
iArsalan 3 years ago
Excatly. Europe had to catch up. Yes, you are right. I have just read about that rpeatingly in a history book. The so called German empire at that time merely consisted of a few small cities and villages, while Cordoba and Timbuktu and Constantinopolis and so on were the centers of science and power.
ulizinho 3 years ago
Focusing only on the good while ignoring the bad is a dangerous mistake.
For example the fall of Rome to the Gothic tribes lead to the dark ages. In the same century the Walata confederacy in West Africa would fall to Berber hordes from the North. When Jalis sing the praises of the Ghana kings who pulled the region together or the golden age of Mali to follow, they speak with just as much detail to the barbarity and suffering that preceded these ages because they are just as important.
iArsalan 3 years ago
The fall of Rome was bad for the Romans and good for the goths, just as the fall of Walata was good for the Berber. Sometimes I wonder, what my tribe, my heritage is. I guess I am mostly saxon. The Saxons were brutally christianized by the Franks (Charlemagne). Maybe I am partly Frankish, maybe some Roman in me. Basically, I am like all humans: African.
It does not really matter to me. I`m an individual. History is for fools. The past is past, the presence is too short. The future is open.
ulizinho 3 years ago
Yepp, Germany is good beer also!
.a
arman10101 3 years ago
Beer ? Khora ?
Hm, I like how he combines base melody, the accompiment and the fast improvistation on just one instrument, like a whole band. Its like playing with three hands.
ulizinho 3 years ago
Do you have idea is this included in album or it's just the DVD?
This melody is so nice...
.a
arman10101 3 years ago
No, I have no idea. I found this video by chance. I am not very familiar with west-african music. I usually listen to European piano music. It is astonishing, how Toumani achieves a similar complexity with this old instrument. Marvellous. Well, the most expensive and best violins are the very old ones.
ulizinho 3 years ago
However this is not to say Africa has no theatrical tradition. Quite the contrary, theatrical performance of past heroes, villains, saints, and forces of nature were quite common in pre-colonial Africa. Often times the performances were epics or praise poetry devoted to semi-mythical matriarchs, patriarchs, and arch-personas. Sometimes these events served political purposes as in the tradition of summoning Jali(Griot) poets in a battle of improvised wits to relieve tensions between peoples.
iArsalan 3 years ago
To put it clear: I do not disrespect traditional African cultures. Neither do I disrespect ancient European/Asian/American/ Australian. To me, modern methods like sceptisicm and the use of scripture have a positive influence both in technology AND art/music, too. That started in Africa/Asia earlier then in Europe, as you mentioned yourself. But:Progress!
It would be nice, for instance, to have a duett of Kora with piano, or to perform one of those old MaliLegends as an opera on stage in Munich!
ulizinho 3 years ago
I strongly agree that African epics should be performed abroad, but if an Opera then in our own musical tradition in order to bridge gaps and change perceptions. So much of Africa's history and great achievements are steeped in secrecy for many reasons. The first being the Imperial behavior of outsiders and the need to protect culture and knowledge from the destructive normalizing forces of Empire.
iArsalan 3 years ago
Well, it it of course very nice to preserve cultural heritage. Concerning music, there is the same discussion going on in Europe. Should old works be performed on old instruments in old style or better on modern "classical" instruments? I pressume, that all the arts that had been neglected for so long by mainstream west were neglected because of their isolation. That causes artistic and intellectual incest. Mahler said: Good tradition means to keep the flame alive and not to worship the ashes.
ulizinho 3 years ago
I'm biased by my upbringing but I don't believe in a distinction between past,