Français

1) Hello, M. Lansiné Kouyate, how are you ?

I am fine, thank you.

2) Where do you come from ?

I'm from Kangaba, Mali.

3) Since when do you play balafon ?

Since I am 4 years.

4) How did you learn to play balafon ?

I learnt with my father, Nankoman Kouyate.

5) Who was your balafon teacher ?

My father, Nankoman Kouyate, was my teacher, in the very tradition of the Manding learning of balafon.

6) Whats the first (music) piece(s) you started to learn when you began practicing ?

« Kelemagni » and « Djelifoli ». « Djelifoli » is the very first piece you need to learn when you're initiated to learn balafon playing in the traditional way.

7) How old had you when your teacher considered that your initiation was completed ?

Well ! Actually, very early, I have accompagnied my father at concerts live playing. So, once when we were together on the scene, I took myself the initiative of the concert and I began to play by myself, naturally, my father thought that my «initiation» was ended ! ( laughings...)

8) What are the pieces you prefer to play today ? And why ?

« Kemogo Togoma » for it is the tune my grandfather played in the past time of Almamy Samori Toure.This tune was dedicated to my grandfather and became a classical song since 1945.

9) Do you make yourself your balafons ?

Yes.

10) Do you play another instrument(s) than balafon ?

Yes, guitar and a little bit of n'koni.

11) Are those instruments seem to you more «difficult» to play than the balafon ?

All the instruments are «difficult» to play ! It depends of yourself ; you must practice every time, hard work and have great qualities in listening music.

12) How do you tune your balafon ?

I can tune it in very lot of different tuning ranges ! Actually, as soon as you play with «wired» instruments, you must change the primary tuning system of the balafon...

13) In which tuning range are you used to play ?

You know, the tuning range don't change the way to play ! You know, a good musician must be able to play in any tonality and tuning ranges ! (laughings...)

14) Do you earn your life only by playing balafon ?

Yes.

15) Since when do you live in France ?

It's been 15 years, since now.

16) Did you live in other countries that France and how long ?

In Germany, 3 months : I have set up a «master class» that has received a very large audience. Otherwise, I've toured in United States and Japan, for some dates and concerts.

17) What is the reception reserved for balafon in other Western countries that France ?

In Germany, the balafon is well known and appreciated. But, on my own, I would like to create for a longer time, stages or «master classes» in order to show how great are the possibilities of the balafon. I really want to hand on the message, the extent of the message of that music.

18) Do you belong or did you belong to a group of musicians ?

To so many ! For example, the bands of Salif Keita, Cheik Tidiane Seck, Manu Dibango, The Ensemble Art of Chicago, Carlos Santana, and I am skipping over many others... No limits in my meetings !

19) Thank you, Mr. Lansiné Kouyate !

You are welcome.