ngoni have ranges of around an octave (or slightly more, in the case of the kamale ngoni), and are tuned pentatonically. During decades both harps followed similar organology using a resonance body made of calabash rather than wood such as the traditional lute ngoni. This West African harp was initially played using only six strings but later that number was increased to eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen and eighteen strings. Notable players Issa Bagayogo Cheick Hamala Diabaté, a Grammy nominated, internationally touring artist who also plays the banjo Mamah Diabaté from Rokia Traoré Band Adama Dicko, played a.o. with Tata Pound and Transglobal Underground Dicko Fils Moriba Koïta († 2016), played with most West-African Stars Abdoulaye Kone from Sidi Touré Band Andra Kouyaté, played with his brother Bassekou Kouyate, Rokia Traoré and Tiken Jah Fakoly Bassekou Kouyaté, prominently with his band named Ngoni ba Mamadou Kouyaté, player of the little-known bass ngoni, part of Trio-Da-Kali, recorded with the Kronos Quartet, played with Roswell Rudd, Toumani Diabaté, Bassekou Kouyaté a.o., appeared at The 2013 Proms Ko Kan Ko Sata, the first and possibly only female exponent and performer of the kamale ngoni Yoro Sidibe plays donso ngoni Youssoupha Sidibe Baba Sissoko Banzumana Sissoko Don Cherry, American jazz musician Leni Stern, American jazz guitarist who incorporates ngoni into all her current projects, including with the Mike Stern Band See also Xalam Ngoni people References Further reading Malian musical instruments West African musical instruments Drumhead lutes