Dimensions: 33" l., 18 1/2" w., 8" h.

This Pan-African Arts-crafted bala features a heptatonic tuning used in the Mande-speaking areas of The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, and neighboring countries. Its 12 padauk keys are mounted on a frame of bamboo and wood. Underneath each of the keys are gourds fitted with mirlitons, some of which emit the characteristic "buzz" when the keys are struck.

Note: The plastic mirlitons covering the gourd resonators, the keys won't resonate properly if they are punctured or become detached from the gourd. If either should happen, you can replace the mirlitons by cutting pieces from a plastic grocery shopping bag and gluing them over the holes in the gourds. Another thing that affects the sound of the instrument is mirlitons that are too taut or too loose; in either case, gently depress the mirlitons with a finger.

Note, too: Rubber tapped directly from trees traditionally is used to wrap mallets. Because of the unavailability of such natural rubber, I use strips of rubber from bicycle inner tubes. These mallets are located on the bottom of the frame.