To make a bala, first a wooden frame, traditionally made of bamboo, is constructed. The keys are each made of a piece of African rosewood that is roughly carved down to size and then set over a low fire for several weeks to completely dry out. When fully dry, the keys are refined and then tied onto the wooden frame using leather cords. A gourd resonator is carved with a hole … [Read more...] about Mande Bala Xylophone: Researched, Conserved, and Reconstructed by Elisabeth Barber