Exercise Tutorial for kora - Josh Doughty

[@LoveLifeG]

Basically 1. Practice scales ascending & descending 2. Pratice 3rds ascending & descending 3. Practice triads asc/des 4. Scale patterns ( make up ) 5. Repeate the above with finger stops ( fleshy pad & nail ) 6. Pratice trills for example 1-7-1, 2-1-2, 3-2-3, 4-3-4 etc 7. Pratice playing scales in triplets 8. Play scales in octaves 9. Try repeating. Any above patterns in octaves 10. Thumb Stops

[@vaogun571]

Very helpful video. I have also been studying your Toubaka tutorial (through The Kora Workshop). There is so much to learn! One great thing about this video is that it focuses on kora technique, there aren't many videos that focus on this (at least not that I am aware of). I think more technique videos would be great because newer players often don't know what they don't know, especially if they don't have access to a teacher. I think videos that show how to play songs in the traditional repertoire are always appreciated (Tutu Jara, Jarabi, etc.). It might be interesting to select songs that require certain techniques and review the techniques needed to play the songs at a high level (and share accompanying exercises that can help players build proficiency in these techniques) as a precursor to showing how to play the song. From a pedagogical perspective this would tie technique and song together. Students would not only focus on mastering learning the song but also techniques that they may utilize in other songs or as they explore creating their own compositions. I also think that exploring the role of improvisation/variations in songs would be interesting. For instance, there are often many versions of the same song, sometimes they feel similar and other times they feel very different. Delving into how players make a traditional piece uniquely their own through changes in tempo, timing, different choices in ornamentation, etc. would be extremely interesting (albeit time consuming). These are just ideas, but ultimately, I think whatever path allows you to keep putting out videos regularly with minimal encroachment on your time is best. Thank you and take care!

[@willridenour]

Excellent video!

[@stevebailey5719]

Hey Josh, Thanks for the tips I've had my Kora since December, being a single parent I don't get to play it so much as I would like. These practice tips are great to get the fingers moving right. thanks again. Not sure how you could let me know when you're putting another video together as I'll be bookmarking them all for the future. I think theres quit a lot to be going on with in this very good first video. Thanks again.🙂✌️

[@joshdoughty]

Hopefully, you find the time to start playing the kora soon :) if you subscribe to my mailing list at www.joshdoughty.co.uk I will send an email out when I make a new one

[@crapiam1gamer747]

Thank you Josh great technique video. Can you do a vid of how to descend/ascend scales whilst playing within the kumbengo, and one on being creative with scales for improvisation. Nice One! 💯🙏🏾

[@joshdoughty]

Hello! Happy you like the video :) I will look into adding this into my next video

[@enocksmusic8438]

Very useful tutorial. I got my kora two weeks ago. And this video is an excellent way to start. I am almost there for the scales. I believe it will take several months to master all the technique explained. Thank you Josh for this video. I think you have managed to show me that it's possible to learn to play kora, even though I don't have a teacher in my area. By the way, I also watched your lockdownlive videos, good stuff. Keep it up. Greetings from France. Enock

[@joshdoughty]

Hello! Thank you for your comment! it is always great to hear that the videos are working. Let me know If you ever have any questions 🙂🙏 Josh

[@peppizeng36]

Josh, thank you so much for sharing this wealth of knowledge and experience...truly appreciate it mate. I am a beginner and have already seen an improvement within over a week of following your tutorial. Big Love man

[@joshdoughty]

Hey! Thank you so much 😊 I am very happy to hear you are getting something from my videos. there will be more to come. All the best

[@joshdoughty]

When did you start playing?

[@peppizeng36]

Josh I only started three weeks ago but am loving it so much. I'm actually a percussionist and a permaculturist . I wanted to check on this if you don't mind: On the full set of 3 exercises so far ( I noticed that with the last exercise of the set, thus after playing AGFDBb on the right, you go down to D again on your right for the next strike of 3? That way you end up on F1 chord in the end before going to the left.

[@joshdoughty]

@@peppizeng36 That's great :) enjoy. Yes this is correct it sounds better this when than if you want back up to f on the right side

[@peppizeng36]

@@joshdoughty Thank you brother.

[@layestudio]

This tutorial is excellent. Thank you so much!

[@joshdoughty]

Thank you very much :)

[@laudeyvrin4765]

Very very good tutorial for Jarabi and More ,and More for progress in kora.

[@sopranino1969]

Hi Josh. I bought a Kora this summer (2022) and started to practice a few days ago. I have small hands and find it hard to keep the middle finger behind the handles. Is it ok to only hold the Kora with ringfinger an pinky? You're lessons help me a lot to start with this wonderful instrument. Thanks a lot.

[@joshdoughty]

Hello! Good to hear you have been finding the videos useful. It's hard to say without seeing you play, But it is best if you can keep all three fingers on the handles, you could look into changing the bridge so that it fits you better? maybe it would be a good idea to book a zoom session so we can chat? calendly.com/joshdoughty

[@sopranino1969]

@@joshdoughty thanks, I like to chat and will pick a date as soon as I'm recovered from flu 😥 greetings

[@moussagnacko4008]

You a besst merci poure tout les leson ja aprende de toi merci❤🙏🏾👍🏾❤️❤️🇸🇳🇸🇳🇺🇸

[@olaschubert1533]

Hi Josh. I just found your page and the tutorials and I am so happy that you are doing this. I ought my Koran in Gambia over 20 years ago and tried to learn little, but I never really got to learn even the basics, the highest strings snapped and the fun was over. Since then it has been standing in the corner. A month ago I actually did decide to order new strings, and it still works fine! I am thrilled about you having a patreon page and will indeed check it out. My youngest daughter (turning 7 in four weeks) just picked up the Kora and started picking the strings, she loves it. So I thought it might be a great opportunity to teach her, as well as myself. Do you have any tips how to start to train with such a small child? Can I mind info on your patreon page. I know there are smaller Koras, but I think the distance between the strings ant the size of the bridge is similar. Again, thank you for doing this! Cheers!

[@joshdoughty]

Hello Ola, Thanks for your comment! I am happy your kora is still working after all these years :) also great to hear that your daughter is enjoying the kora too. My tip for teaching her would start with the thumb patterns and keep it simple and then when the hands grow you can start to bring in the fingers parts, but by then she will have an understanding of the piece. If you have any more questions, please send me an email :) all the best

[@olaschubert1533]

@@joshdoughty Thanks, I will look into the thumb rhythms, that seems like a good way to start👍🏻

[@tinabegalke6667]

Schön erklärt 👌Ich möchte mir so ein Instrument kaufen ! Hast Du einen Tipp wo ich es am besten herbekomme ,eine gute Empfehlung ? Habe auch schon bei Ebay geschaut .Gebrauchte als Einsteiger ....da gibt es aber nur ältere noch mit Knoten technik zum stimmen ?! 🤔lg.

[@joshdoughty]

Thank you! This kora comes from www.thekoraworkshop.co.uk

[@GianpaoloVillani-i9d]

Ciao Josh... Che tipo di scala hai sulla tua kora ?

[@romel7622]

thank you

[@juujyy2763]

man.. why do your high strings sound so vibrant and nice? maybe because my skin is not very tight? can you maybe provide a link to the fishing string you use?

[@joshdoughty]

Hi man, I think the kora helps, it's a very good one. both the strings are kora comes from www.thekoraworkshop.co.uk

[@mehdielkfifa2195]

i see some toumzni in fluence there!!!

[@juanvazaquez4322]

Thank you