Yumi Kurosawa Performs "Lucky Stars" on the Koto

♪♪ That really sounds like Japan.

Yes, because the scale, one of the most important players and composers in koto history, Kengyô Yatsuhashi, invented Hirajoshi tuning, which is this one.

♪♪ Hold on.

Do that a little slower?

Yeah.

♪♪ Okay.

So that is... ♪♪ Yes, you got it.

And how many strings is this?

This is 13 strings.

- 13.

And this is actually 21 string koto.

- Wow.

I want to show you some scales on the koto.

So this is diatonic scale.

And let's see, C major.

And if I want to change to D major, either I bend strings... ♪♪ Or move bridges.

♪♪ The same thing.

So you're bending the pitch by pulling the string?

Yeah.

This does not feel like a gut.

This feels like some kind of a synthetic.

Yeah.

This is a nylon string.

They weren't always made out of nylon.

That used to be silk, but it's way too delicate, especially for contemporary music.

Speaking of modern, you know, you sent me your piece for violin and koto.

- Mm hmm.

You want to give that a try?

I've been practicing it.

Sure.

Yeah.

I'm so honored.

- Let's do it.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪