Large Concert Kotamo

The Large Concert Kotamo is a top-tier instrument and the largest kotamo in our offer. It is a double-sided stringed instrument with a lower tuning, a larger body, and a significantly higher number of strings compared to the standard concert kotamo. On one side, you will find a koto with movable bridges and a tanpura, while on the other side is an expanded, monumentally sounding monochord.

Thanks to its larger construction, lower tuning, and 76 strings in total, it produces a full, deep, and spacious sound suitable for concert performances, music meditations, professional music therapy work, and your own creative musical activities.

Key Features

• Double-sided instrument - koto, tanpura, and a large monochord in one
• Lower tuning than the standard concert kotamo
• 76 strings in total
• Tambura with 11 strings
• Koto with 27 strings and movable bridges
• Large monochord with 38 strings
• Solid walnut body and a soundboard made of Okoume wood
• Center soundhole decorated with the Flower of Life motif
• Possibility of tuning the koto into various scales, including minor, oriental, and Indian raga tunings
• Fine-tuning system for all strings
• Suitable for concert use and professional sound work

How to Play the Large Concert Kotamo

It is played similarly to a standard concert kotamo. On one side, you use the koto with movable bridges for melodic playing and the tanpura for a continuous, meditative tonal foundation. You can tune the koto strings to various scales using the movable bridges according to your musical intention.

Just like with the standard kotamo, you can gently bend the section of the string to the left of the bridge with your finger. This creates a subtle pitch vibrato or expressive pitch bend, expanding the possibilities of melodic playing.

Flipping the instrument over gives you access to the large monochord for a full, flowing resonant sound. The larger size, lower tuning, and higher string count give the sound more space, a longer sustain, and greater depth. The instrument is ideal for concerts, sound meditations, group work, and professional music therapy practice.

Specifications

• Instrument type: large concert kotamo, double-sided stringed instrument
• Overall dimensions: 150 × 44 × 12 cm
• Material: solid walnut, Okoume soundboard
• Decoration: center soundhole with Flower of Life motif
• Total number of strings: 76
• Tambura: 11 strings
• Tuning G: 5× C2, 3× C3, 3× G2
• Tuning A: 5× D2, 3× D3, 3× A2
• Koto: 27 strings
• Base notes: A1, C2, D2, E2, F2, G2, A2, B2, C3, D3, E3, F3, G3, A3, B3, C4, D4, E4, F4, G4, A4, B4, C5, D5, E5, F5, G5
• Koto tuning options:
• Minor tuning: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C
• Oriental tuning: C D E F G Ab B C
• Second variant: C D Eb F G Ab B C
• Third variant, Indian raga Bhairav: C Db E F G Ab B C
• Charukesi tuning, based on Indian raga: C D E F G Ab Bb C
• Monochord: 38 strings
• Tuning G: 7× C2, 31× G2
• Tuning A: 7× D2, 31× A2
• Fine-tuning: fine-tuning system for all strings
• Included: detachable legs, tuning key, spare strings, set of movable bridges, technical sheet
• Optional accessories: case for large concert kotamo
• Made in Czech Republic:

How to Choose a Kotamo

The Large Concert Kotamo is suitable for musicians, music therapists, and sound meditation facilitators who desire the richest sonic possibilities available in kotamos and monochords. Thanks to its lower tuning, larger body, 76 strings, and extensive koto section, it is ideal for concert performances, group work, and professional sound practice.

If you are looking for a smaller and more easily portable kotamo, choose the standard concert kotamo. For a standalone monochord for meditation or bodywork, the LENA meditation monochord or the LENA resonance body monochord is recommended.

Why Choose the Large Concert Kotamo

The Large Concert Kotamo offers the widest range of acoustic options in our kotamo collection. It combines a koto, tanpura, and a large monochord into a single instrument and, thanks to its lower tuning, large body, and 76 strings, creates a full, spatial sound with deep resonance.

It is handcrafted with years of experience and equipped with a fine-tuning system for easy and precise tuning of all strings. With its detachable legs, movable bridges, and rich tuning options, it is well-suited for concert playing, music therapy, sound meditations, and demanding creative work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does it differ from the standard concert kotamo?

The Large Concert Kotamo has a larger body, lower tuning, and 76 strings in total. Compared to the standard concert kotamo, it offers an expanded koto, a larger monochord, an 11-string tambura, and even broader tuning options. Consequently, it produces a fuller, deeper, and more spacious sound.

Who is the large concert kotamo suitable for?

It is suited for concert performers, professional sound therapists, sound meditation facilitators, and music therapists looking for a large double-sided stringed instrument with maximum musical versatility.

Can the large kotamo be tuned to different scales?

Yes. The koto section features 27 strings with movable bridges, allowing for tuning into various scales. The available options include minor tunings, oriental variations, and tunings inspired by Indian ragas, such as Bhairav or Charukesi.

Can you create vibrato on the large kotamo similar to a koto?

Yes. On the koto strings, you can gently bend the string with your finger to the left of the bridge. This produces a subtle vibrato or pitch bend, giving melodic playing a more lively expression.

Is the large concert kotamo suitable for a beginner?

A beginner can play it, but it is a larger and more complex instrument. If you are starting out and want a simpler approach to sound, a meditation monochord or a standard concert kotamo might be more suitable.

Can I try the large kotamo in person?

Yes. In our showroom in Jablonec nad Nisou, you can listen to and try the kotamo. The instrument is often made to order, so we recommend contacting us in advance to schedule a visit.