Koto-Graphic

How to mimic the exotic, melancholy sound of the Japanese koto

- David Brewster

IN THEIR QUEST for fresh approaches to the instrument, guitarists throughout history have found creative ways to mimic the sounds and phrasing characteristics of other instruments. This includes valiant attempts at copying the musical methodology, tonal qualities and sonic blueprint of the violin, saxophone, harmonica, banjo, pedal steel, piano and even the human voice. The practice of emulating other instruments is nothing new to many adventurous guitarists, and it is a rewarding approach that often spawns fresh musical ideas and interesting licks. If you’re searching for an untapped realm of musical inspiration with an exotic vibe, one good source can be found in the traditional music and unusual instruments from Japan. This includes the koto, a very old, stringed Japanese instrument, which could be viewed as a distant relative of the guitar. The koto has appeared in traditional Japanese folk music for centuries, and you can emulate its distinct sound using any electric or acoustic guitar, as we’ll demonstrate in this lesson.

To emulate the koto’s clear, bell-like timbre on an electric guitar, begin by dialing in a clean or lightly overdriven tone. The next step is to pick the strings very close to the bridge using downstrokes exclusively, as shown. Doing so will produce a bright attack and thin- but rich-sounding timbre that’s full of harmonics. You can experiment with this targeted picking location and technique, and refine your bridge-picking skills as we go.

The strings of the koto are normally plucked using metal fingerpicks, so when emulating the instrument, be sure to pick firmly and strongly. This bridge focused, accented picking technique will effectively emulate the koto’s characteristic tonal quality, especially if you employ heavy-handed downstrokes.