The Koto (13 string Japanese traditional instrument)

Thanks for the koto lesson Tokiko Kimura!
Toki on Instagram: / mirerara
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Recorded and mixed by Rob Ruccia of Uptown Recording: www.uptownrecording.com/
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This video was made possible because of Patreon support from Rob Harper, Hypergnome, Nicolette Kawata, Fabio, Erik Ritter, Isaac Briefer, Quintin Waldner, Donato Sinicco III, Ben Swan, Codex, Bryce Taylor, rd1994, David Cundiff, Joseph Villa, Sheldon Bird, Andréja Petja, Dave Jurenovich & many other awesome people on my Patreon page: / robscallon
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[@_AVF]

Whenever she plays, I feel like it's safe to save my progress.

[@heliopijpe]

LOl

[@mikethareaper1789]

Perfect 👌

[@nobiazcustomsinc5030]

LOL you win the day lol

[@noelrakman9641]

lol

[@Ebonfire86]

ikr xD for me it takes me back to FFVIII, man so much nostalgia

[@mrmaniac3]

Tokiko Kimura: here is my traditional instrument, I am a master of it Rob: yeah sometimes I play the shovel

[@Psyck66]

Ah yiss, Kultr...

[@ulrichkalber9039]

you mean: Tokiko Kimura: here is my traditional instrument, I am a master of it Rob: here is my traditional tool, I am not a master of it

[@benjaminledford5003]

bro got me dead lmaooo

[@Yuuni_Shiroza]

And they say Mayonaise isn't an instrument (¯―¯٥)

[@ayosakmet6570]

Here, he's literally playing the shovel 😁✌...that os if you like jazz kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGqQnaeGqMeqb8k&feature=share

[@NachozMan]

The slow realization she can understand English well enough to understand him, just not speak it is beautiful.

[@NachozMan]

OMG AND THE TRANSLATOR HELPING HER FINGERING FOR THE GUITAR EVERYONE IN THIS IS SO SWEET

[@LAkadian]

It also helps that Rob is good about using body language. I kinda fell in love with her though.

[@MEGAtheguy]

I'm pretty sure they just cut out the interpreter relaying what Rob is saying some of the time

[@ryanmarita-davis3339]

I loved when she got one of the chords down on guitar and audibly gasped, I think because she had found the notes of her koto in this foreign instrument. Then realizing they both spoke music I think helped close the language barrier

[@michaelhaydenbell]

Yes BEAUTIFUL is the word for that happening for some reason.

[@Snogbag]

As a Japanese person, seeing people taking an interest in this instrument and complimenting our culture makes me feel this sense of warmth in my heart that I can’t really describe with words❤️

[@Gwoog55]

As an American, a lot of us truly love Japanese culture!! You guys rock 😎🎸

[@-TeacherB]

The world❤japan

[@dirkhougaard2986]

As a South African I have always loved Japanese culture and the rich history of the people. Duty, discipline and honour. What's not to love? Plus...the food...

[@Snogbag]

@@Gwoog55 thank you so much!

[@Snogbag]

@@dirkhougaard2986 ah people these days don’t really give a damn about honor and discipline anymore sadly not only from people becoming more lazy but depression becoming more common than ever. The elderly people are still like that and it’s admirable to say the least. But the food, I agree! There are some exotic foods in Japan that can yuck a lot of people such as fish spermsack sushi and stuff but overall I think the food here is pretty fire lol

[@abraarmasud9194]

I love how she's a little shy and reserved at first, but when she started having fun, communicating musically and she couldn’t stop smiling after a while. She seems like a wonderful person.

[@Mradevans]

Competence in a field is a universal that is a language all it's own

[@fluffibee9656]

she looks soo sweetttt

[@EphemeralF]

@@fluffibee9656 She is soo cute!

[@knuddelwinzig498]

Japanese women are blessed! They mostly locking really good Till They turned 100...

[@chris5k132]

She's Japanese. Thats every Japanese lol

[@McOuroborosBurger]

Rob “I sometimes make music with a shovel” Scallion.

[@radeklew1]

The poor translator, "...shovel?"

[@Dwendele]

I was SO hoping he was going to demonstrate THAT particular skill. LMAO it would have completely blown her mind.

[@imthatawsome95]

Can’t believe he brought up “The Shovel” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jadodavo]

Bass Stuff 500th like, your are welcome

[@TheCleansingx]

Scallion 🤣

[@greatpix]

Her 2nd song is 'The Last Rose of Summer' which has been a traditional Irish tune since the early 1800's and based on a poem by Thomas Moore. (and a long favorite of mine since I heard it sung by the late Elizabeth Parcells.)

[@matthewrohner3743]

Thanks for that. I felt like it was something I had heard before, but the closest thing I could think of was maybe Fields of Gold by Sting. It was obviously not that, but it kept coming back to a motif that might have been quoted in that song.

[@SirAlexOfTheGuitar]

This may sound kinda weird, but at first I thought it might've been a variation on "Orphan's Lament" by Robbie Basho.

[@thewexican1095]

Thanks for the info man!

[@maxpower2480]

Arigato! I'm almost certain I've heard it before, but thanks to you I'll also be hearing it more often from now on.

[@Thedog-1-]

Yes I was thinking of that!! I can play this bazouki and I was wondering why it sounded so familiar

[@TheJohnnyh13]

Can we pause for a moment and note how cool Rob's whole format is? I haven't had as much fun on yt in the last 10 years as I have had in the last 8 hours.

[@Stierenkloot]

Yeah very much enjoying his content

[@RandomPH1982]

Love how respectful he seems, and he asks the kinds of questions I would want to ask.

[@deleted_handle]

You're old 😢

[@dejfisko-official]

yeah, im going through really bad times and Rob is one of the persons that makes me smile rn

[@galeparker1067]

👍👍👃✌️🇨🇦

[@JohnGottschalk]

It's so cool when you can see musicians understanding each other faster than the translation can keep up.

[@bath.fingers]

Probably why they say music is it’s own language

[@Mindsi]

Think close encounters computer vs alien ship establishing communication!

[@morningowl43]

“That’s why I love making music so much. You’re not limited by vocabulary and words. You will fall into patterns and trends but you can access whatever you want. You can’t do that with language. Yeah, you could look up some more words I suppose, but it’s infinite with art, with music. That’s the best part about it basically.” Richard D James [Aphex Twin], Crack Magazine (Nov 2018)

[@avelinopereira9773]

I swear music is the best language !

[@peterrobinson2306]

it's just that

[@ashleybroening6933]

I've found another dream job: being an English translator for musicians jamming out together

[@davigrabalos]

Lmao 😂

[@certifiedpossum8655]

The amount of music terminology required in both languages will be a nightmare lol

[@NyaniKore]

@@certifiedpossum8655 *pain indeed*

[@kesslerwatson4085]

Learn swahili

[@WhuDhat]

It was so cool seeing them connect without speaking, couldn't stop smiling myself. but it would be hard.

[@AaronMetallion]

9:46, 10:34 The definition of "music transcends language"

[@SlickSolomon]

21:42 😫😭😫😭😫😭😫😭😫😭

[@AJ-nb4pu]

I absolutely adore how, when speaking about vibrato, he demonstrated on the guitar and she immediately followed up with her own on the koto. So awesome to see two incredibly skilled musicians communicating through their instruments even before the translator gets a chance to communicate their spoken word!

[@TyBraek]

"How can you tune so fast?" "I have perfect pitch"....oh

[@KamiNosane]

"Perfecto pitchi"

[@paulblickenstaff9737]

Says she has perfect pitch. Proceeds to play an irish folk melody where she constantly bends to notes where she's slightly too sharp or flat.

[@emperorSbraz]

@@paulblickenstaff9737 when she started tuning i immediately recognized the trait as i do it the same way. perfect pitch however does not make us robots m8. :)

[@d36class]

Paul Blickenstaff remember that eastern and western musicians have different sense of pitch

[@cryptic-jack8108]

@@paulblickenstaff9737 Do you even know how to play a stringed instrument?. Shut your mouth. You don't know what you're saying.

[@finnbazz6315]

As an Irish person, hearing ‘The Last Rose of Summer’ being played on a traditional Japanese instrument is something to behold...

[@onionstrat5975]

Thank you for telling me bro.. i really loved that speech

[@ROBOGHOSTDUDE]

True, I get choked up listening to the song. So nice hearing it on a koto

[@UnusHonorabilis]

I had no idea what it was, but sure sounded beautiful

[@interrexclamacion]

two cultures from across the world can together make something so beautiful. also, yeah.

[@tashikrtv6878]

@@onionstrat5975 ok weeb.

[@danigolightly799]

The koto and guitar combo is so dreamy.

[@megadeath098ajb]

It absolutely does, something about the combo is absolutely mesmerizing, downright beautiful

[@materialgawd2748]

Came for the koto, stayed for the smiles. Really felt the harmony amongst fellow musicians here

[@TheWayOfTheShay]

She was visibly upset at how slightly out of tune his G string was. True perfect pitch right there.

[@zlessly]

its microtonal isnt it?

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Timestamp please?

[@LousyZoot]

@@cheesecakelasagna first time he has the aucoustic out

[@radred609]

And how she casually just fixes her own tuning mid peice near the beginning of the irish tune

[@kurtmullins5519]

TheLousyZoot p

[@neonbowser]

Watching a literal master of the koto light up because she played a G chord on guitar. Music is amazing man, there's no skill ceiling to the joy it imparts on us.

[@TeamJY]

20:59 Looks more when she strummed a Cmaj7#5, anyone would light up

[@adamkozakiewicz6766]

Theoretically there is probably a skill ceiling, but it's so far beyond what can ever be achieved in a lifetime or ten, there's always more you can learn.

[@care4animals114]

Absolutely

[@peterrobinson2306]

exactly that She knows that he knows, he knows that she knows, beautiful

[@staszewaM]

@@adamkozakiewicz6766 That's not what the commenter meant. What was meant that no matter how good (or bad) of a musician someone is, making sounds on musical instruments is very fun. And as seen here, making first musical sounds on an unknown instrument can feel amazing! :)

[@SlothLinn]

Incredible mastery! She was so sweet when she said she had perfect pitch, almost bowing in excuse for having the audacity to say it

[@aurorafina]

It’s a rare gift. Plenty of musicians don’t believe you can sing a natural G to tune a group by without use of another steady state instrument or pitch reed.

[@moonasha]

she's incredible, I don't think most people realize it because she acts so humble. At the end when he was playing on the guitar, she was matching him note for note and not even looking at the strings.

[@mariaceciliacarrenocanas7710]

The traditional tuning is so hauntingly beautiful.

[@urzathehappy72]

"Do you always tune by ear?" "She has perfect pitch"

[@traktor-et9xr]

apply tears to burnt area

[@urzathehappy72]

@@traktor-et9xr huh? It wasnt a burn it was just cool af

[@KrinkleVal]

Basically hacks

[@traktor-et9xr]

@@urzathehappy72 Yes I know but it would certainly make me a little bit more dead if somebody told me that after me asking that question

[@ErebosGR]

Around 50% of Japanese people have perfect pitch, most likely because their language uses pitch accent, instead of stress accent.

[@1saac.mp4]

*struggling to understand how to pick correctly* "oh like slap bass" proceeds to slap on a traditional Japanese koto

[@gilb_4]

Davie504: Approved

[@metalforlife4ever]

Haha 😂😂😂

[@MrBeanTroll]

EPIC

[@diovinum1133]

SLAP LIKE on dis comment

[@InventorZahran]

The Koto is BASSically a 13-stringed BASS!

[@allaboutmusic9833]

1:50 The koto player said 「それに近い音階を選びます」= I'm choosing a scale close to that (to the sound she heard). The translator may not have been a musician herself and didn't translate the word ONKAI 音階（which means Scale in English, such as Major, minor, pentatonic, phrygian etc) properly. She just referred it as a "tuning". The translator did a great job for the rest though. Me, as a Japanese-English bilingual musician, I just wanted to add what I've noticed.

[@log9357]

thanks for the additional information!

[@addisonmartin3200]

I always love when Rob swaps instruments with the masters. Nobody is afraid too much of messing up with the other person's instrument, because it's pure play and discovery for everyone.

[@yaponidun]

I'm in a strange feeling to see own culture in English. Today in Japan, people have few chances to know how beautiful Koto is. Thank you, and great video. (edited) Thanks for many likes and replies. I'm really happy to know guys who interested in Japanese culture.

[@Stonedmetalhead666]

コメントしてくれてありがとう申し訳ありませんが、これはおそらく間違った言語です 😂😂😂

[@goopon3660]

AJ DeRiso it's a same language👌

[@darkdevil3668]

漣 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7LgKFupJykedU

[@SirTato1992]

I love the koto It sounds so relaxing It's just washing all the stress away whenever I listen to it

[@TechSpec814]

I'm Spanish and my main instrument is the guitar, but I have a great interest in instruments outside of my culture such as the koto and it amazes me. I would really love to meet with someone who plays the koto and play music together.

[@HBCrigs]

I just realized, Rob said s trying to learn all the instruments to become more powerful than Andrew Huang

[@blehm_7403]

oh SHIT!

[@slothrunner3532]

Shh

[@925RRG]

@andrew huang

[@slothrunner3532]

@@925RRG no dont

[@PuffyOne1898]

You do realize that does nothing.

[@terrancegorry391]

The moment she plays last rose of summer at 6:11 I think I felt my soul just surrender into a state of bliss. Such a glorious sound.

[@millacabral9475]

She managed to play those chords on the guitar very well for someone who never tried pressing strings like that. I know she pushes them down on the Koto and probably understands what it takes to get a decent sound on the guitar, but it's still impressive considering most people's fingers cave in and they complain about the string digging into their fingertips.

[@subhadas]

When she just played the standard tuning, that alone gave me japanese feels lol.

[@giuseppedemaglie]

Subha Das kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7LgKFupJykedU

[@subhadas]

@@giuseppedemaglie that was marvelous. Instantly subbed!! Btw, how was your left hand after playing XD

[@psychlyeslg]

Your profile pic is misleading

[@ruemacrufus]

But why you angry bro? Why you angry?

[@subhadas]

That's my secret captain, I'm always angry.

[@NikolajLepka]

The fact that two musicians from two different cultures with two completely different instruments, who don't even speak the same language can just jam out together like that is nothing short of amazing

[@treeoflife7151]

wanna makes you learn the "common language" huh

[@Ezio12376]

Shows the power of music

[@adamkozakiewicz6766]

They do speak the same language. Music. Although with different accents.

[@dragontrancefireworks3624]

Its the universal language!

[@VetsrisAuguste]

Rob constantly astounds me with his versatility. He can sit down and play music on any instrument he encounters. Amazing.

[@tysonatkins2236]

Her fascination with the guitar is so awesome! She was so happy to play those chords!

[@felixhamel2398]

Seeing them play their respective instruments together without even speaking the same language just proves that music is a language itself, how beautiful is that?

[@S13Trev]

This comment almost made me cry

[@tannergoldsmithskates3622]

For real man

[@daoyang223]

She has perfect pitch. I'm jealous.

[@martifingers]

@@daoyang223 Me too but let's be clear. That is not the source of her superb musicality.

[@daoyang223]

@@martifingers no not at all but I bet it makes it easier for her to pick up a song like during a jam. As for me. Am dumb dumb and ive played guitar for 12 years

[@antrolos8542]

Plays her first song on guitar, looks at her hand, smiling nervously: "Itai" *the classic*

[@abstract0407]

16:51 proof that Rob does not beat his meat

[@antrolos8542]

@@abstract0407 why did you post that as an answer to my comment

[@ThatOneFlyYouCantKill]

@@antrolos8542 that's the funniest fucking reply I've ever heard

[@ctyragdoll]

We all said that... just in a different language :o)

[@antrolos8542]

@@ThatOneFlyYouCantKill I need answers I'm so confused

[@priscilamenjivar6741]

When they were jamming out together and she was complementing his guitar sounds with the koto was too wholesome.

[@meaganlongley618]

I love the gentle and giving connection that each artist he collabs with engages with him in. You can see them watching each other so carefully and respectfully, working to follow and make something special together. It’s really powerful, playful, and lovely, every time.

[@blueblaze27]

You know what that means. KOTO METAL

[@RubenSprng]

KOTO DJENT

[@giuseppedemaglie]

Blue Blaze kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7LgKFupJykedU

[@DarkPRCS]

LMAO

[@JijiSoundProject]

YEAH

[@rkconcepcion4387]

There's a band called Wagakki Band and they are kinda popular for this kind of genre

[@skykrow]

When rob starts playing, that is the perfect demonstration of learning your fundamentals. He knows the fundamentals and can apply it to any instrument, even something very foreign

[@kruksog]

I had a friend who went to school for music (and besides that was a very solid musician) and it always stunned me how he could pick up pretty much any instrument and within about 20 minutes he sounded proficient. Piano, trombone, drums, whatever.

[@kaikart123]

Yep, and the same thing applied to any skills.

[@guitarshredz666]

Music is a universal language. Its the most beautiful language on earth in my humble opinion.

[@eryalmario5299]

Imo if you pick up the piano you can pretty much learn any instruments

[@nintySW]

@@eryalmario5299 The piano gives you a good base for understanding notes but i don't think there is *one* best instrument for learning everything, and to get to the level that rob is at you really just need to learn a bunch of different instruments

[@fergusof]

The second song she played really moved me. Wow, so beautiful.

[@microTrash28]

That’s the power of The Last Rose of Summer.

[@xxitz_pr0gxx631]

The second piece she played literally made me tear up. It was so beautiful.

[@advaithbala3087]

Guitar: Compromised temperament Piano: Equal temperament Koto: I mean i just slide the neck till its sounds nice okay

[@advaithbala3087]

@Anthony Ouellet my bad

[@daoyang223]

except she has perfect pitch. As for me, I'd probably slide it all day until I get it to sound like Nothing else matters by Metallica no joke.

[@mk_rexx]

But it can be useful to microtonal music

[@petterhouting7484]

Guitar is equal temperament

[@uboligu1]

Petter Houting It tries to be equal temperament but fails miserably every other fret

[@keroflobs]

Whenever she finished a piece she always had a big smile. This is such a sick instrument

[@jotapedonoso4696]

@Elmo ! Your comment has lost its validity, sorry

[@chrisgorman3997]

Thomas Z Kerr i honestly love how much she loves her art even when switching instruments. You could tell teacher mode activated when she put her hair up though lol.

[@ferryadams10ify]

14:28 Robs mind goes: "that wasn't that bad". His mouth goes: "that wasn da byabulaba"

[@Killjoy4evr]

I'm not entirely sure why but I completely teared up when she played the first song and started to on the second as well

[@reneesims931]

Me too! Sometimes watching people play music makes tears form

[@rlkk1174]

That woman’s smile is captivating. She has joy from deep within

[@johnmac91]

Who doesn't love Asian women?

[@aengusdedanann181]

Its like it is her first time playing the instrument and she just found out she is a natural every time and i love it!

[@JloBroOFFICIAL]

*strums Asian instrument after deep joy quote*

[@boomenbuttfuckens288]

@@johnmac91 bruh

[@MrSaiLikesPie]

Shes hot.

[@Tyler-nj5dr]

The sound is SO damn atmospheric.

[@giuseppedemaglie]

Dr_T-Bagger kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7LgKFupJykedU

[@jakemode]

The body has so much space for the sound to resonate along with the length of the strings creates the atmospheric sound

[@paullevan1945]

It's so relaxing ❤

[@DaveBits]

You should listen to Anoyo by Tim Hecker. It's an ambient album with traditional japanese instruments like the koto and taiko drums

[@chomp_5412]

I want her to play Sweden C14 (Minecraft music)

[@smithfield06]

Wow she nailed that chords on the guitar on first being shown, I think once your proficient on one string instrument you can learn quicker on another. Great how to played together at the end 👍

[@saripancha6734]

my puppy just died a few days ago and you put the biggest smile i could feel on my face ever since. thank you. how beautiful to transcend language, by the end to watch your and her together made me so happy.

[@Gunnar120]

Of course she has perfect pitch. That was incredible how quickly she could change the entire tuning system.

[@rileymerino6340]

Gunnar Molstad also anyone who knows their instruments intimately like her will always have an easier time tuning! If you know what you’re listening for, it’s much easier to tune. I don’t have perfect pitch and admittedly it’s probably not exactly at A=440 but I trust that I can get a six string guitar in consistent tuning with itself pretty easily without a tuner, and I think a lot of people can!

[@giuseppedemaglie]

Gunnar Molstad kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7LgKFupJykedU

[@darkma1ice]

Perfect pitch can be learned, you have to practice a lot and almost digest the note you’re wanting so you can hum or hear it in your head

[@WLxMusic]

@@darkma1ice It's worlds easier if you start young though. Extremely tough to learn perfect pitch as an adult.

[@guitargirl6323]

@@WLxMusic you can't learn perfect pitch as an adult, you can get incredibly developed relative pitch but it is physically impossible to learn perfect pitch past a certain age.

[@KevinGuitarLessons]

Her: has perfect pitch Rob: doesn't bother to tune guitar

[@dragonkingicer2]

shots! shots!

[@sheeeitmayn4384]

He racks a disiprine

[@darkdragonsoul99]

no guitar has perfect pitch tuned or not

[@user-rf3kx3rr9b]

@@darkdragonsoul99you can have a fretless guitar

[@MrBrokoli99]

@@darkdragonsoul99 true temperament guitars?

[@neonblack211]

I love the difference between the soft sounds and the picked sounds it makes it sound like 2 seperate instruments

[@JaapvanderVelde]

There is no channel on KZbin that captures the love of making music better than yours, Rob.

[@euminahn8582]

Rob is being so polite and respectful in this video. She also seems like a good person. Aside from the music being played, this is just a pleasant interview to watch.

[@Desugan69]

Yip also I like how she just also likes when he plays seen in minute 15:24

[@KarlClarkeMusic]

And the joy and wonder in her expression when she plays a C chord at 21:17. Just fantastic, really enjoyed watching this

[@Cereal421]

It's so wholesome

[@Drunkcat008]

@@settingsmedlhux8152 yeah he is an asshole but he's still great

[@KarlClarkeMusic]

@@settingsmedlhux8152 I kinda have to disagree. The amount that Jared cares for the education community is amazing. His video released around christmas where he basically took a bunch of kids into a guitar store and just bought them all guitars. I find that most of the youtube musicians are really giving.

[@michellelindsay5727]

I could listen to her play the Koto all day long. This musical instrument is very mystical and beautiful ❤

[@ebutuoyssa]

I loved that! I learned to sing the traditional song in Japanese about 60 years ago in elementary school and actually remembered and sang along as she played. Awesome choice of instruments. Thanks.

[@johnboleyjr.1698]

I really love her joy when she plays on the guitar, and she realizes that she's doing it. It's that moment when something "clicks."

[@justs_]

I’m ashamed that a person who literally just touched the guitar already could play as well as I am on my first month of learning it lmao Edit : I made this comment in a bit of a fun spirit, I did not expect people to take it seriously... thanks for the words of encouragement and advice, lads :)

[@LiamDarden]

@@justs_ Keep in mind she teaches koto and piano and probably has been learning music her whole life. Don't beat yourself up. Learning music is a journey, not a destination.

[@johnboleyjr.1698]

@@justs_ no shame in that. Once you learn your first instrument, other instruments come easier. Everybody has to start somewhere though.

[@blakesimmons5130]

@@justs_ just read tabs and get used to the shapes, homie. Don't worry about what chords you're playing yet, just make sure you know how to put your fingers in the right place and switch between shapes smoothly and then the rest is easy

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

It's like a harp that can do bends. The Irish tune was stunning, an idiom with which I'm intimately familiar, but in an exotic Japanese voice.

[@darkdevil3668]

Gerry James Edwards kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7LgKFupJykedU

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

Left me teared up.

[@smithyweberjeger-manjensen8839]

I was thinking the same, pal

[@chomp_5412]

Gerry James Edwards Irish Tyne sounds like Sweden C14

[@simonjohnston3100]

Your phrasing, sir! 👍🏻

[@brownbackpack6820]

The mixing of two different ethnic and musical cultures here is so beautiful

[@theshirehighlander7292]

It's fascinating that the ancient Japanese arrived to the same Pythagorean Musical principles but on their own. The laws of synchronicity at work.

[@amnongravenmur9024]

Alternative title: Rob Scallon continues his quest to convert every string instrument player to guitar.

[@roboshark4957]

"Oh like a slap bass?" Immediately understands the concept

[@TheChadPad]

She was so adorable while trying the guitar!

[@Kimmie6772]

As someone who learned violin, you don't have to try that hard to convert me. The only thing stopping me is the learning curve.

[@DrewPeabaws]

@@Kimmie6772 it’s not that bad to be honest, I started on Violin when I was six and guitar when I was 10. It was a lot easier learning guitar because I already had relative pitch, flexible fingers and good coordination. Violin prepares you really well for guitar.

[@TheJabics]

Davie504 wants to know your location!

[@CMDRkarstenvader]

"im in a band" "oh cool what do you play" "s h o v e l"

[@joaquin7596]

underrated comment hahahaha

[@CaptiveReefSystems]

It's a more logical instrument than this log with strings... 😆

[@aeredhaelredfalen6194]

Check out Justin Johnson. He's got a literal shovel guitar he sells. Several youtube videos of him playing it.

[@keep7smiling]

Seth everman: wait till you see my couch and door

[@Drakemiser]

Tom Waits: You're hired!!

[@inolia8260]

At 10:35 I started crying?? What the heck, that was absolutely beautiful.

[@alisiamondragon3013]

6:31 this instrument is so beautiful! I was smiling so hard when she started playing

[@kesslerwatson4085]

The lady with the harp is a real musician. The Irish piece she played was written by a blind Irish harpist who traveled Ireland writing songs dedicated to those who would host him. His name was Turlough o Carolan for those interested in listening to his beautiful music. He basically laid the foundation for all Irish music.

[@mln9215]

what is the name of the song ?

[@dehasim]

@@mln9215 Rob upload the music on the second channel, and there the name,i just forgot :v

[@NitroNinja324]

@@mln9215 Someone else said it was "The Last Rose of Summer".

[@dizzydaisy909]

@@NitroNinja324 That's correct

[@catasstrophy2316]

@@NitroNinja324 indeed it is, lovely traditional piece

[@jegatheshkumar5818]

Besides the both, the translator did a good job, she shows good involvement in to the scene rather than just sounding like a monotonous repeating radio.. Kudos to her

[@monkeylad11]

She's doing a really hard job here honestly. Rob's throwing western european terminology and music theory at her and she's used to her own traditional east asian music structures. Chords, steps, vibrato, none of those exist the same way. The translator's doing a lot of on-the-fly work.

[@michaelallen1930]

Kudos? You mean Kotos???

[@NachozMan]

@@monkeylad11 The terms are labeled differently in Japanese?

[@flowerdolphin5648]

​@@NachozMan more like the whole theory is quite different. Japanese traditional music has more types of scales than western classical music. Also, the way they notate music is different too. They also use our western notation these days, but they have their own too. For koto especially, the traditional sheet music looks completely unintelligible to us. And even for voice, while the general idea is the same, and you could follow the gist of it, the execution is different. All the embellishments are written directly into the music, including the lyrics. If you google 民謡楽譜 you'll see what I mean.

[@user-dp1uq2ld6y]

Какой странный и интересный инструмент...

[@galetim]

the second song she played made me cry it was so beautiful. I can imagine how wonderful it must be to hear this instrument in person.

[@mikesoule1352]

"The Last Rose of Summer" isn't a traditional Japanese piece, but it's beautiful on koto!

[@darrellqueen3333]

The moment you both started making music at once, the language barrier dissipated and the emotional response was instant. This is why music and art are so special. Loved this video, so much

[@sireuchre]

Through the whole video, they do a lot of communication through music, and usually more clearly than through spoken language.

[@starshot5172]

Had the same response. They were communicating in a different language and understood each other

[@brianbrummet3877]

Absolutely agree, was smiling all the way through

[@Josh-it6uy]

BRAAAAAAAAAAAAP

[@manifestofsound7281]

they felt in love in that moment i think....it was beautyful

[@boszwollocks9557]

I am learning Japanese and I can now mark this as the first video where I have understood stuff before it's translated. Feelsgoodman

[@hillbillysamurai]

Same their Japanese is much slower than what I usually study and this feels great to watch

[@mishikay_music8997]

FeelsGoodMan Clap a twitch frog?

[@jonahjacobs994]

xqcL

[@DianaJG8]

COOL!!

[@DarthYall]

Congrats man. Feels great when the studying pays off

[@peterptchronic9696]

I return to this video once every few months, it's honestly one of my favourites that Rob has done. The Koto is such a beautiful instrument, Tokiko plays it so incredibly well. It's always fun to see two musicians discover each other's instruments and see those moments of joy.

[@Phoenix_On_Fire]

The joy she expressed when she played chords on the guitar was so special.

[@Narokkurai]

I was literally crying when she was playing that Irish song, and I couldn't tell why, but then I realized she was playing The Last Rose of Summer, which was my mom's favorite song to play on the piano

[@samdajellybeenie14]

Narokkurai I’m sorry for your loss. It was really was beautiful.

[@adamjnotthecongressmanschi7026]

🥺

[@squirtlett7369]

@@samdajellybeenie14 I dont beleive they ever said she died

[@Narokkurai]

@@squirtlett7369 she didn't, actually, but she's very sick, and well past her piano playing years. Reminded me of happier, healthier times. Don't smoke kids. Lung disease is a slow and painful killer.

[@squirtlett7369]

@@Narokkurai ah I'm sorry to hear that. I've had a loved one go by smoking too. Not fun stuff

[@SheldonBird]

I really appreciate the amount of jamming you guys did in this video. It sounds so good

[@robscallon]

Thanks! Yea ended up doing a lot more jamming while filming this time around. Usually we don't have a ton of time for that extra stuff with these types of videos.

[@giuseppedemaglie]

Sheldon Ray Bird kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7LgKFupJykedU

[@dumbmetal8386]

I was gonna like but this got 666 likes already

[@SheldonBird]

We're at 720 like now, so feel free! Lol There's at least 666 in there if you ignore the last 54 likes

[@markedwardspezenosky5814]

Very relaxing

[@TheLilram2100]

Words can’t express how much joy and happiness I got from watching this video. Moments like these are the best part about being a musician.

[@misscheerleader2001]

The catapillar reference was so wholesome that I almost started crying, this was so beautiful to watch

[@keithrodriguez8109]

I love how when they both started playing their instruments, the translator was no longer needed. They were communicating the language which all musicians understand. Just beautiful and wonderful...

[@azzzertyy]

such an instance makes me think of the creation of jazz out of the slave trade; the one good thing that couldve ever happened stemming from not being able to understand the vast array of people brought over lead to the necessity to communicate somehow and thus jazz was born

[@Alusnovalotus]

It’s actually a Daoist principle that kindred spirits communicate like this.

[@nanuq83]

My grandmother used to hum the Irish Folk Song when I was a kid; she was originally from Dublin. I have no idea what it's called but I immediately recognized it and that brought tears to my eyes. R.I.P. Grandma

[@amandaschwarz5745]

I beleive it's called The Last Rose of Summer. Celtic Woman did a version of this song

[@lukemason1668]

I’ve heard the song it’s name always has “Shenandoah” in it. Jerry Garcia has a beautiful version called “A Shenandoah Lullaby”.

[@villusive]

sad...

[@chip1294]

F

[@deezbeanz9856]

Up the Ra

[@pagerg3432]

I am crying bc of how great sounding it is😭😭😭

[@M00NG00N]

This is absolutely awesome! I love when they play together, it is truly magical

[@d.lawrencemiller5755]

Omg when Ms. Tokiko gets on the guitar: that's why I love going to the Musical Instrument Museum. In the Experience Gallery, strangers will sit down and start playing an instrument, and other people will hear something they like and start playing along with them. Nobody is an expert, all newcomers, they make very simple music but with enormous emotional effect.

[@forbesjeff]

In Phoenix? That sounds like something fantastic to go to.

[@d.lawrencemiller5755]

@@forbesjeff I go at least twice a year! 😁 Rob did some videos there recently, you should watch them.

[@BitchItsJules]

I love how the two musicians at times could understand each other better than the interpreter, for example about vibrato.

[@Jewel77777]

Julian Bruck Exactly my thoughts, a dynamic most, if not, all musicians understand. 😆

[@BitchItsJules]

@@Jewel77777 Hear, hear!

[@Amigo21189]

There are three languages in this video.

[@BitchItsJules]

@@Amigo21189 lol yea

[@sandisirritating4594]

The interpreter plays music too

[@childofodin1069]

It makes me happy seeing you both so happy playing together you're both amazing at what you do

[@AlexRuhlz]

It was so amazing to watch you two enjoy what you're doing !

[@ohm6009]

It's genuinely heartwarming to see two people who speak different languages, from different cultures to simultaneously smile when the right note is played. Music, universal language of the soul.

[@xyzyzx1253]

It’s the original language of the right hemisphere, language is an abstraction and representation of the world that enables the grasping and manipulation of the external and conceptual world. Music is the older brother of language, and its purpose is create and directly communicate experience as opposed to abstractions of experience. Before we were the speaking ape, we were the singing ape. Connecting to music and each other is a lost art that bemuses and challenges many who are often stuck in a world of abstracted words and systems. Bemuses the left hemisphere, but it’s completely natural to those who are more right hemisphere inclined.

[@phat111]

@@xyzyzx1253 what do you mean by right hemisphere inclined?

[@stephenmartin2332]

@@phat111 Creatively inclined. Music, art, literature. Left hemisphere is more analytical. Problem solving, technical skills etc.

[@phat111]

@@stephenmartin2332 ah never heard that analogy before. Thanks

[@lonestoner8297]

I was really thinking the same right now watching these two. Even though there was a translator, once the playing starting they were speaking to eacher perfectly and like dude I found myself smiling at the end when they were nusy jammin kinda

[@kaitlynweeks4143]

I love how two people who speak completely different languages can improvise and play beautiful music together. Shows just how universal music really is.

[@PyrrhiaStrike]

It truly is amazing how music brings people together

[@rockmcdwayne1710]

It really is universal. Doesnt matter what language you speak, notes are still same!

[@michaelpriest6242]

True harmony.

[@kamelhaj6850]

I call music the great unifier. It touches a part of our brains where basic memories reside.

[@Blanch590]

@@kamelhaj6850it truly makes humanity a beautiful thing

[@fancyultrafresh3264]

There is truly no other string instrument like this and hearing a master play it is joy.

[@chloeflores8683]

She plays it so beautifully. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I imagine that if you went to a spa or some place in Japan, that is the kind of music that you would hear as you get a massage or get your nails done or something like that. I don’t know much about Japanese culture so I couldn’t really say, but that is how I imagine it.

[@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice]

Him: Music term you don't know. Her: Music term I don't know? Him: You know, *plays vibrato on guitar* Her: Oh, you mean *plays vibrato on koto* Him: Yeah!!!!! I love music.

[@DemocracyOfficerWood]

Sometimes music just has a language of it's own ya know? It's interesting.

[@kmfdm5]

yeah that was cute lol

[@prettycultleader]

That part made me smile, music rlly do be a universal language

[@hatred9427]

4:45

[@themuse321]

Or you know they could be talking about drinking, and he would do the motion of drinking out of a glass and she would understand?

[@F3PIZZA]

Jesus. If I ever need to show someone that music is a universal language, this is it. Very moving.

[@headfullofacid8088]

No words needed

[@reapercreeper6097]

Well they had a translator so it just contradicts your opinion

[@eeeehuu2130]

@@reapercreeper6097 the translator didn’t even say the most important musical parts

[@Ryzot]

Well music is sound. Language is sound. We put meaning to specific combinations of sounds.

[@-feonix48-47]

The moment at 4:40 is what sold it to me immediately, the fact that he communicates with her directly by strumming his guitar and she immediately knows what he’s saying is magic. The translator seemed to not recognize the word vibrato or not have a direct translation

[@BrianPeiris]

I've watched this video like four times now. Please do more collaborations with global musicians. It's great!

[@maybemintmochi_]

I've come back to this video so many times since it first came out and I love the moment where they swap instruments and their faces light up...

[@mozisgrimm140]

Rob: I love music Someone: If you love music so much play EVERY instrument Rob: Okay

[@jeffdrum5541]

He will play every stringed instrument... I will stay alive until I see it happen.

[@Sebasstian42]

Crazy how two people that can't communicate by language, play music together and the world seems to be just fine...

[@JMsolidsnake]

Music is one of those things that transcends barriers like language..

[@rrocc]

That's the beauty of art

[@TheIndyRex]

It’s the same when you cook with someone.

[@rrocc]

It's not the same if you cook someone

[@ralph3570]

Yall mad cringe

[@lucyfer_the_cat]

this video is so amazing. she's so amazing and rob manages to pick up new instruments so quickly

[@jilips]

Whenever I'm feeling down I go back to these videos and instantly get put in a better mood. Thank you Rob ❤

[@ilikefartjokes]

This video is one of the most beautiful portrayals of unity. Two complete strangers, from two different countries, speaking two different languages bonding over music. When they played together I got happy emotional. One of the most beautiful vids on KZbin. With the ugliness going on in the US right now, I really needed to see this. Thank you!!!

[@odallard]

☝🏻This.

[@danieldasilva3068]

Me too

[@joaolemes8757]

Man I was smiling from ear to year

[@kathyflorcruz552]

There's a LOT more unity than the lying MSM & HOLLYWOOD project. People DO want to get along. It's the evil controllers that want war.

[@calibribody6776]

goes to show how powerful music is.

[@PabloEdvardo]

You've captured something magical here. The way that music bridges cultural and language barriers to allow humans to communicate, as one, is incredible and beautiful and breathtaking.

[@brodywhite1918]

Yes i agree

[@luki8806]

Exactly my thoughts. Just looking the smile on their faces while playing even if they doesn't speak the same language... Magic.

[@physics-guy3164]

Still needed an interpreter lol

[@bpabustan]

Since music is a universal language.....it knows no boundaries.

[@GCF-Media]

I need this to be the absolute top comment

[@nodirxojasaydivalixojayev]

It's so calming. Sounds are pretty gentle

[@alwysgreen1781]

Really great editing, so nice to give her language space and balance that with the translation

[@Khunvyel]

21:16 - the feels explosion is real. You could tell she gets more comfortable throughout the entire video and you could also clearly see that she was really capable to understand what most of Rob was saying, but was too shy about her english capability to respond. I don't know how much convincing it took from "nope" after the cut to she actually holding the guitar, but what is ever so worth it. Thank you very much Rob. This and the first video of the Theorbe was such a sweet, wonderful experience. Simply opening up and let the curiosity get the better of oneself is always a journey worth taking :)

[@alienfac32]

having fun makes people connect easier.

[@HearthVader]

I'm not that far in yet, but when the translator said that "this is a Sakura-Cherry Blossom" near the beginning and launched into it I legit started to choke up a bit. Incredible stuff.

[@Khunvyel]

@@HearthVader The enthusiasm with which the translator shows the guitar chords to play together with Rob is like... man... warm, fuzzy chills :)