Danny Gomes - Music

Japanese Koto

Click here to watch my solo!

This is a performance with my group Azami no Kai, which consists of many old people, one young woman and one foreigner. On this video you can see the 13-string koto, 17-string koto and the Japanese flute, shakuhachi (which also happens to be a euphemism for fellatio).

Recently, I performed again with this group, but I sang instead of playing the koto. Once again, it was a solo, so once again I didn't really get much sleep the night before...

What is a Koto?
The koto is a string instrument that originated in China and came to Japan in the 7th-8th century. The Japanese koto is a large instrument, about six feet long, consisting of a hollow body made from Paulownia wood. Underneath the body are two sound holes, one at each end. There are 13 strings which are tied over stationary bridges at each end of the body. The strings are the same size and same tension. A movable bridge, called a ji, is placed somewhere along the length of each string. The ji lift the strings off of the body so that they will resonate when plucked. The strings are tuned by sliding the movable bridges back and forth.

How a Koto is Played
The koto player sits at the top end of the instrument and with three plectrums plucks the strings in the area just to the left of the top bridge. The player can use their left hand to bend the strings in the area to the left of the ji, which can cause them to go sharp as much as 1 note.

History
Because of its long history, koto music has seen many changes. During the Heian period (794-1185) the koto was apparently played as a solo instrument in the court. As court life disappeared in subsequent times, koto music remained in the world of priests and noblemen. Koto playing was, for a time, an occupation reserved for blind people, and so writing down scores made no sense. As with many other crafts, the repertoire was maintained entirely by memory and passed down through apprenticeship. After about 1690, the koto was open not only to blind male professional musicians, but also became of interest to female members of well-to-do families.

About me
I have been studying the koto for about five years under the sweet care of my teacher, Nishino-sensei. Unfortunately, I have not been the best student and wonder how she can be so kind and patient with such a undisciplined student such as myself. I obviously have a lot to learn from her, besides learning how to play this gorgeous instrument.




Japanese Koto Click here to watch my solo! This is a performance with my group Azami no Kai, which consists of many old people, one young woman and one foreigner. On this video you can see the 13-string koto, 17-string koto and the Japanese flute, shakuhachi (which also happens to be a euphemism for fellatio). Recently, I performed again with this group, but I sang instead of playing the koto. Once again, it was a solo, so once again I didn't really get much sleep the night before... What is a Koto? The koto is a string instrument that originated in China and came to Japan in the 7th-8th century. The Japanese koto is a large instrument, about six feet long, consisting of a hollow body made from Paulownia wood. Underneath the body are two sound holes, one at each end. There are 13 strings which are tied over stationary bridges at each end of the body. The strings are the same size and same tension. A movable bridge, called a ji, is placed somewhere along the length of each string. The ji lift the strings off of the body so that they will resonate when plucked. The strings are tuned by sliding the movable bridges back and forth. How a Koto is Played The koto player sits at the top end of the instrument and with three plectrums plucks the strings in the area just to the left of the top bridge. The player can use their left hand to bend the strings in the area to the left of the ji, which can cause them to go sharp as much as 1 note. History Because of its long history, koto music has seen many changes. During the Heian period (794-1185) the koto was apparently played as a solo instrument in the court. As court life disappeared in subsequent times, koto music remained in the world of priests and noblemen. Koto playing was, for a time, an occupation reserved for blind people, and so writing down scores made no sense. As with many other crafts, the repertoire was maintained entirely by memory and passed down through apprenticeship. After about 1690, the koto was open not only to blind male professional musicians, but also became of interest to female members of well-to-do families. About me I have been studying the koto for about five years under the sweet care of my teacher, Nishino-sensei. Unfortunately, I have not been the best student and wonder how she can be so kind and patient with such a undisciplined student such as myself. I obviously have a lot to learn from her, besides learning how to play this gorgeous instrument.


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