• 🎶 Virtual Koto

    Play 13 koto strings, explore Japanese-inspired tunings, practice melodies, and experiment with expressive pitch bends.

    1. Koto Sound Settings

    The presets are simplified pitch arrangements inspired by Japanese scales, not exact historical koto tunings. Actual koto tuning varies by repertoire and tradition.

    2. Interactive 13-String Koto

    Last String Played — Pluck a string to begin

    Tap or click any string to pluck it. Each string can ring while others are played, allowing melodies and overlapping harmonies.

    Computer keyboard: A S D F G H J K L ; Q W E plays strings 1 through 13. Hold Shift while playing to bend the note upward by the selected amount.

    3. Koto Scale and Melody Practice

    Play the selected tuning in ascending or descending order. You can also hear the strings in alternating patterns to practice rhythmic movement.

    The highlighted strings show the current tuning arrangement.

    4. Koto Melody Recorder

    No koto melody recorded yet.

    Record the strings you pluck and their timing, then play them back or copy the sequence as text. Recordings remain in the current page session.

  • 🎶 Virtual Koto: Tips & Details

    A Virtual Koto lets musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, and beginners explore the sounds of the Japanese koto directly in their browser without needing a physical instrument.

    Whether you're practicing melodies, experimenting with Japanese-inspired scales, or exploring plucked-string arrangements, this free online koto provides an interactive way to create music.

    How to Use the Virtual Koto

    Click or tap the 13 strings to play different notes, or use your computer keyboard for additional control.

    Choose between traditional-inspired, soft, bright, and plucked koto sounds. Adjust the pluck strength, resonance, and brightness to experiment with different tones.

    Learn About Koto Strings and Tuning

    The koto is a traditional Japanese string instrument, typically featuring 13 strings stretched across a long wooden body.

    Movable bridges allow players to adjust the tuning of individual strings, while pressing the strings can change their pitch and add expressive ornaments.

    The virtual koto includes simplified tuning presets inspired by Japanese musical scales.

    Practice Koto Melodies

    Use the built-in melody player to practice ascending, descending, and alternating string patterns.

    You can also adjust the tempo to practice slowly before experimenting with faster musical phrases.

    Experiment With Pitch Bends

    Pitch bending is an important expressive technique in koto performance.

    Use the virtual string-press feature to experiment with upward pitch bends and create more expressive melodies.

    Virtual Koto for Singers and Songwriters

    Singers can use the virtual koto for pitch matching, ear training, and melodic improvisation.

    Songwriters and producers can experiment with koto-inspired melodies and textures for Japanese traditional-inspired music, cinematic arrangements, pop, electronic music, hip-hop, and other genres.

    Record Your Koto Melodies

    The built-in recorder captures the strings you play and their timing so you can listen back to musical ideas.

    You can also copy a text-based note sequence for reference when practicing, composing, or arranging.

    Tip: Start with a slow five-note tuning pattern and practice playing the strings in ascending and descending order. Once you're comfortable, experiment with pitch bends and different pluck strengths to add expression to your melodies.

    Related Pages:

    What Instrument Should You Play? Several Choices That May Fit Your Style

    Instruments That Can Use The Vibrato Technique