Introducing Kidan the Krar

Kidan the Krar

Greetings of the season, with love, from me and mine to you and yours! Although, I must confess that mine did not actually tell me to send you greetings and I'm sure you will not send my greetings to yours either, but, that's life. Also, I know that the "season" is already over, and people are getting back to their daily lives, but I still have a holiday hangover.

For the first time in my instrumental life, I have spent almost an entire month without playing an instrument during the holidays. In as much as I was highly tempted to carry Adam, my precious bass guitar, on holiday, I had to leave it behind. Why? Because they (whoever "they" are) say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Also, I find that Adam just sounds better when we take some time apart. It's a lovers' thing, I guess.

Travelling to different places has a way of opening up one's mind, as you get to meet different types of people and see life from a different perspective. This, I believe, is very important for any type of artist. This last holiday, my destination was Ethiopia. I have always passed through Ethiopia on transit, but this time I had the privilege of staying a while, immersed in their beautiful culture and beautiful (quite literally) men and women. While enjoying Ethiopian culture, I visited a market where I could buy Ethiopian art, clothes and jewelry.  

As I was calmly strolling along, I heard a silent whisper of my name. As I slowly turned around, shivers running down my spine, wondering who on earth could possibly know me here, from the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of glistening silver and......there he was. Calling to me, seductively. And I was too weak to resist what would become my summer love. And I cheated on Adam. (Actually, I was not calmly strolling, I was awkwardly and nervously walking fast because I felt like a stranger, being the only black person in sight. Also, what caught my attention was some random man looking shower-deprived, yelling, "sister, sister, we have nice earrings! Very cheap!")

Dramatics aside, I found an Ethiopian guitar-like instrument known as Krar. I had seen such an instrument, but only the ones used as decoration, so I was quite amazed to see one with actual tuning pegs and one that made actual sound. So, I did what any musician who initially intended to buy earrings and art would do. I bought the Krar instead. I am quite excited to start mastering the Krar. I am even more excited to get a bass Krar soon!

Although at the moment the bass guitar is my main instrument, I usually get asked why I play a number of instruments. Others have also suggested that I would be a better bassist if I focused on only the bass. Although this is a fair point, I am just in love with instruments and will never learn or own enough. One instrument is so restricting. I also feel that each instrument has its own personality. There's just a certain type of emotion that a saxophone has that say, a violin, doesn't have and vice-versa. Since I don't have the luxury to chase after various instrumentalists, why not do it myself? Also I find that learning other instruments helps me be a better bassist and overall musician. Playing solo jazz licks on electric guitar for instance, I find has improved my bassline creation, especially in improvisation. Playing violin has given me a better musical ear (and inspired my dreams of playing a fretless bass one day).  So, in as much as I have a struggle of sufficient rehearsal time for any one instrument, they are all worth it. Plus sleep is overrated, one can always practice at 3 a.m, no? 

Happy New Year and Happy New Krar!