Koto tuner online (13 strings)
This koto tuner shows the targets of hirajoshi, kumoijoshi and gakujoshi on all 13 strings and recognizes the string you pluck. On the koto you tune by moving the ji, the bridge under each string. The basic tuning, hirajoshi, with string 1 on D, runs D G A B♭ D E♭ G A B♭ D E♭ G A from string 1 to Kin (D4 to A5). Strings 1 and 5 share the same pitch, and strings 2 and 3 are lower than string 1.
String notes and frequencies
Koto tuning, hirajoshi (1 = D) (13 strings): D4 G3 A3 A♯3 D4 D♯4 G4 A4 A♯4 D5 D♯5 G5 A5, from 196.00 Hz to 880.00 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 1 | D4 | 293.66 |
| String 2 | G3 | 196.00 |
| String 3 | A3 | 220.00 |
| String 4 | A♯3 | 233.08 |
| String 5 | D4 | 293.66 |
| String 6 | D♯4 | 311.13 |
| String 7 | G4 | 392.00 |
| String 8 | A4 | 440.00 |
| String 9 | A♯4 | 466.16 |
| String 10 | D5 | 587.33 |
| To | D♯5 | 622.25 |
| I | G5 | 783.99 |
| Kin | A5 | 880.00 |
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone and allow access.
- Choose the tuning, then pick a string to lock the target; Play sounds its reference note. Auto in the settings goes back to automatic detection.
- Pluck the strings in order from string 1 and watch the needle.
- When it reads sharp: loosen, slide the ji a little to the left, toward the tail (ryūbi); with flat: tighten, slide it to the right, toward the head (ryūkaku), where you pluck.
- After Kin, check again from string 1 that no ji has moved.
Help and explanations
The strings are numbered 1 to 10, followed by To, I and Kin. The tuner names notes with sharps, so B♭ appears as A♯, E♭ as D♯ and A♭ as G♯: they are the same pitches.
Kumoijoshi and gakujoshi
Kumoijoshi starts from hirajoshi, lowers strings 3, 8 and Kin a semitone and raises strings 4 and 9 a whole tone: D G A♭ C D E♭ G A♭ C D E♭ G A♭. Gakujoshi raises strings 4 and 9 a whole tone and strings 6 and To a semitone, for a brighter sound: D G A C D E G A C D E G A. For both, tune hirajoshi first and then move only the strings that change.
The pitch of string 1
Koto tunings are really patterns of intervals. This page uses the common string 1 = D (ichikotsu), D4 at 293.66 Hz, but players also set it to E or another note to suit a singer or the other instruments. In that case, tune string 1 with the chromatic tuner and set the other strings with the same intervals.
Tips
- Steady the string and lift the ji very slightly as you slide it, so it is less likely to topple.
- Plucking with tsume (picks) produces many overtones and can make the needle wobble; plucking gently with the pad of your finger is fine for tuning.
- In classical pieces such as Rokudan no Shirabe, the semitones are said to be taken slightly narrow for a calmer sound; there, trust your teacher's ear over the needle.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of hirajoshi on the koto?
With string 1 on D, from 1 to Kin: D G A B♭ D E♭ G A B♭ D E♭ G A (D4 to A5).
What are the koto string names?
Strings 1 to 10 are called ichi to jū, and the last three are To, I and Kin. The tuner labels them 1–10, To, I, Kin.
How do I tune kumoijoshi?
Tune hirajoshi first, then lower strings 3, 8 and Kin a semitone and raise strings 4 and 9 a whole tone. Choosing kumoijoshi switches the targets.
How do I tune a koto to another pitch?
Set string 1 to the new note with the chromatic tuner, then keep the same intervals for the other twelve strings.
Does it work for the 17-string koto?
The jūshichigen uses different tunings, so tune it string by string with the chromatic tuner.