Taishogoto tuner: every open string on G
The taishogoto (大正琴, also written taishōgoto or taisho koto, sometimes called the Nagoya harp) is the Japanese zither with a keyboard of number buttons, invented in Nagoya in 1912 by Morita Gorō: one hand presses the keys, the other plays with a pick. Its tuning rule is simple: every open string is a G. What changes from string to string is the octave.
Taishogoto open strings: notes and frequencies
Every open string of the taishogoto is a G, in different octaves. The fifth (bass) string of the 5-string soprano varies by model and school, so G2 is a default, not a rule. Equal-tempered frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz.
| Instrument | Strings | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soprano, 5 strings | 1–3 | G4 | 392.00 |
| Soprano, 5 strings | 4 | G3 | 196.00 |
| Soprano, 5 strings | 5 (bass string, default) | G2 | 98.00 |
| Soprano, 5 strings (Kohaku/Ran) | 5 | G3 | 196.00 |
| Soprano, 6 strings | 1–3 | G4 | 392.00 |
| Soprano, 6 strings | 4–5 | G3 | 196.00 |
| Soprano, 6 strings | 6 | G2 | 98.00 |
| Alto (Suzuki) | 1–3 | G3 | 196.00 |
| Alto (Suzuki) | 4–5 | G2 | 98.00 |
| Bass (Suzuki) | 1 | G2 | 98.00 |
| Bass (Suzuki) | 2 | G1 | 49.00 |
Yamaha Musical Instrument Guide: how the taishōgoto works (Japanese)
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone and allow access. Put the phone near the instrument, about 20–30 cm from the strings.
- Choose your instrument under Tuning: 5-string or 6-string soprano, alto or bass.
- Without pressing any key, pluck one open string at a time, starting with String 1, the thin string at the back. Needle left: tighten the peg. Needle right: loosen a little and come back up to the note.
- Strings 1–3 share the same G4, so tap a string card to lock the tuner on that string. Tap Auto to go back to automatic detection.
- Finally, check again from String 1: retuning one string can pull the others slightly.
Help and explanations
This taishogoto tuner app opens on the most common instrument, the 5-string soprano: strings 1–3 on G4, string 4 on G3 and string 5 on G2. You can switch to the 6-string soprano, the electric Suzuki Kohaku and Ran soprano (fifth string on G3), the alto and the bass. Note, octave, frequency and cents are shown, so a string 4 tuned to the G of string 1 is easy to spot.
Taishogoto tuning: all G, different octaves
Strings are numbered from the back of the instrument (away from the player) towards the front. On the soprano, strings 1–3 are thin plain steel strings tuned in unison to G4 (392.00 Hz); string 4 is a wound string one octave lower, G3 (196.00 Hz). Unison strings that drift apart even slightly beat against each other and make the melody sound sour.
On a 6-string soprano, strings 1–3 are G4, strings 4 and 5 are G3 and string 6 is one more octave down, G2 (98.00 Hz). The keys press strings 1–4; strings 5 and 6 are sympathetic strings that add resonance.
The alto sounds one octave below the soprano. Following Suzuki's documentation, this tuner sets strings 1–3 to G3 and strings 4–5 to G2. Other makers may differ on strings 4 and 5: check your manual.
The fifth string (bass string) has no single note
On the 5-string soprano, string 5 is tuned in more than one way. The default here is G2 (98.00 Hz), as in Suzuki's guide, which also says the fifth string can be adjusted between G2 and G3 to suit the piece. On electric Suzuki models such as Kohaku and Ran, string 5 is tuned to G3, the same as string 4: choose the Kohaku/Ran preset for that.
Some schools and teachers tune the fifth string to C or D for certain pieces, and one school uses it only in special cases. Follow your teacher or your group. For a C or D, use the chromatic tuner and confirm the octave with your teacher, because sources do not agree on it.
Bass, other sizes and reference pitch
The bass preset follows Suzuki's Kohaku and Ran bass: String 1 on G2 and String 2 on G1 (49.00 Hz). Phone microphones pick up G1 poorly: bring the phone close, pluck firmly and read the needle once the note settles. Some schools use a bass that goes down to D, which this preset does not cover. Tenor and other sizes vary by model; tune them to the notes in the manual with the chromatic tuner.
The normal reference is A4 = 440 Hz. Change it in the settings only when your group tunes to something else, such as 442 Hz, so that everybody shares one reference.
Tips
- The most common error is string 4 tuned up to G4. String 4 is about 196 Hz, strings 1–3 about 392 Hz: check the octave number on the screen.
- Strings slowly lose tension after tuning. A quick check before every practice keeps a group in tune.
- In a busy classroom, hold the phone close to your own instrument and pluck short single notes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the taishogoto string notes?
Every open string is G. On a 5-string soprano, strings 1–3 are G4 (392.00 Hz), string 4 is G3 (196.00 Hz) and string 5 is usually G2 (98.00 Hz), although the fifth string varies by model and school.
Is 6-string taishogoto tuning different from 5-string?
Strings 1–4 are the same: G4, G4, G4, G3. On the 6-string model, strings 5 (G3) and 6 (G2) are sympathetic strings. On the 5-string model, string 5 is G2 by default, or G3 on Suzuki Kohaku and Ran.
How do you tune an alto taishogoto?
On Suzuki altos, strings 1–3 are G3 and strings 4–5 are G2, one octave below the soprano. Other makers may differ on strings 4 and 5.
My teacher tunes the fifth string to D. Is that wrong?
No. Some schools tune it to C or D for certain pieces. Ask your teacher which octave and use the chromatic tuner.
Should I tune to 440 Hz or 442 Hz?
440 Hz is usual. Use 442 Hz only to match other instruments in your group.
Is this taishogoto tuner app free?
Yes. It runs in your browser with no install and no account, and the audio stays on your device.