Taishōgoto
The taishōgoto (大正琴), or Nagoya harp, is a Japanese stringed musical instrument. The name derives from the Taishō period (1912–1926) when the instrument first appeared. It has also become naturalized in East Africa, often under the name Taishokoto.[citation needed]
Construction
The taishōgoto consists of a long, hollow box with strings running its length. Above the strings are a span of numbered typewriter-like keys, which when depressed fret or shorten the strings to raise their pitch. It is played lengthwise and strummed. There are also electrified versions of the instrument
Related instruments
The taishōgoto bears a close resemblance to the bulbul tarang from India, and the akkordolia from Germany, all sharing the same principle of using keys to press down on strings to change their pitch.
Notable uses
The instrument was used by the Krautrock band Harmonia during the 1970s.[1]
References
- ^ Albiez, Sean. Kraftwerk: Music Non-Stop. New York: Continuum. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-4411-9136-6.
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