Product Description
Sakura is a famous koto tune from 17th century Japan. It is written in the tuning developed at that time by Yatsuhashi Kengyoo who was a famous performer and teacher of the koto. Hirajoshi, or hira-choshi tuning(choshi = tuning and hira = even, level, tranquil, standard or regular) is an adaptation of traditional Shamisen music.
Although often heard with modern western harmonies I have chosen to use only the notes available in this pentatonic tuning. With a harp tuned to Bb major you can play this on the white strings of the harp, making it easy to improvise new left hands or interludes of melody by leaving out your Cs and Fs,
This arrangement also includes a version transposed for harps tuned in C or F, to facilitate learning by folks who have not a full set of levers.
The first verse is notated with alternating stems to indicate alternating hands. Use the 2nd (or 3, 4, or 5th) finger of each hand and play very close to the soundboard to imitate the koto. by alternating hands you can get close to the soundboard and still connect and phrase the notes by placing one finger before the previous one plays, Use your fingernails if possible - I just grow out the baby finger nails and use those fingers for a change!
Verse 2 is grounded, and uses open 5ths to harmonize. Verses 3 and 4 use eigth notes and triplets, respectively. It is a great piece to practice duple and triple meters, and changing fluently between them. Makes a charming piece and with the koto imitation, shows off a different way of playing a harp!
for lever or pedal
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.