UPDATE
JOS Workshop Playing Examples
During trials in our regular workshops, it was clear that the JOS Krar can be accessed in a variety of ways. Various orientations work well for sitting or standing:
– A vertical position, played with one hand and held with the other in the manner ot the Krar, or with two hands on either side of the strings like the Nyatiti
– A horizontal position either on the player’s lap or supported with a strap or on a stand with both hands on the same side – more like the litungu style. Other people use a harp orientation or have it like a guitar
– The JOS Krar can be played with fingers or thumbs, can be strummed with fingers or plectra, or plucked.
– It will give, for example, chords and arpeggios – so bass line, rhythm chords and melody are all possible.
– It is also amenable to the string blocking technique use on Krar or Autoharp.
Birembau – Pluriarch – Lyre / Harp – Krar – Kora – Litungu / Nyatiti
Some more traditional instruments and players
We have also made some versions from broken instruments like guitar and violin.
