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Author
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Topic: Koto Anybody
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Paul C
Member From: Orlando, Fl
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posted 21 August 2001 12:23 PM
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Has anybody played a Koto? This is the traditional Japanese instrument very similar to a lap steel.I've had one too many sushi lunches lately and I'm thinking about adding one to the inventory. Advice? Dissent? Opinions? Help? Thanks! |
Gene Jones
Member From: Oklahoma City, OK USA
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posted 21 August 2001 01:06 PM
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I think the Koto has faded from the scene along with the geisha, except for a few catering to the very wealthy at the top of the corporate ladder..... I doubt that even a "knocked out" koto player would be much in demand anywhere else! |
Roy Thomson
Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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posted 21 August 2001 04:24 PM
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Hi Paul:
The Japenese Koto caught my interest sometime back also. I love the sound of the instrument.
You can research it quite easily on the WWW.
It is really a hollow log with 13 strings tuned by moving adjustable bridges. There is a very haunting sound by plucking a string and pushing it up and down behind the adjustable or movable bridge. There are several tunings and they seem to all be buitl on the pentatonic scale.
I see very little resemblance to a lap steel BTW.
I have a ten string acoustic steel and tune it diatonicly. I have learned "Sakura" and a few other traditional peices. It is hard to come close to that sound but fun to try.Roy T. |
Mike D
Member From: Phx, Az
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posted 21 August 2001 09:21 PM
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I sat in a restaurant with my wife a few months ago and listened to a girl play one. Very interesting, although tough on a "Western Ear" like mine after awhile.I had an almost uncontrollable urge to run over and play it with my steel during her break  |
Paul C
Member From: Orlando, Fl
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posted 23 August 2001 11:51 AM
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With your encouragement, I've been surfing some information on the Koto. Absent a teacher available in the area, (I'll check with my Sushi bar), I may rethink this one.From what I can gather, it typically takes about 2 months to learn to sit behind the instrument properly for good tone. With my back and gut, this might not be a wise idea after all. More research is in order. Thanks for the leads. |
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