glossary

Introduction of Korean Musical Instruments

Gayageum

This twelve-stringed zither is also called Gayatgo. There are two kinds of Gayageum: Pungyu Gayageum (also called Beopgeum), and Sanjo Gayageum. The two differ in size and shape and are used for different musical pieces. The Gayageum has 12 silk strings supported by 12 movable bridges. The strings are plucked with the fingers to produce a clear and delicate tune.

Ajaeng

This horizontal zither has been used since the Goryeo period. It is played with a resined bow made of forsythia wood, which produces a rasping sound. There are two types of Ajaeng; Jeong-ak Ajaeng(7~9 string) and Sanjo Ajaeng(8 string). The former is bigger and produces thick low sounds, while the latter produces melancholy tunes

Piri

The piri is a cylindrical double-reed bamboo oboe with eight finger holes, one in back for the thumb and seven in front. There are three different kinds of Pirl: the Hyang-Piri, literally a "native" Korean oboe used for indigenous music, or Hyang-ak; the Se-Piri, a smaller soft-toned oboe used for chamber music and to accompany Gagok vocal music, and the Dang-Piri, a stouter Chinese oboe used for Dang-ak, the secular music of the Chinese Dang and Song dynasties.

Geomungo

The six-stringed zither is said to have been created by Prime Minister Wang San-ak of the Goguryeo Kingdom; its prototype is found in the ancient murals of Goguryeo. It has six twisted silk strings, which are stretched over 16 fixed frets. The instrument is plucked with a short bamboo rod, which is held in the right hand, and produces majestic deep sounds. The literati of the Joseon Dynasty Particularly revered the Geomungo.

Janggu

This hoursglass drum is used in practically every form of Korean music. It is portrayed in the ancient murals of Goguryeo and also in the Buddhist temple bells of Silla. It is sometimes called Seyogo, a reference to its slender waist. Different sizes are used for different types of music. It is mainly used in instrumental pieces to produce resilient and complex tunes, and also to accompany folk songs, Pungmul Nori, and shaman music.

Daegeum

Daegeum, a large transverse flute, dates back to 7th century Silla. It is one of three transverse flutes, the large Daegeum, the medium-sized Junggeum, and the small Sogeum. Daegeum has one blowing hole, six finger holes, and an extra hole covered with a thin membrane. It produces a distinctive buzzing sound that is both refined and benign.

Haegeum

This two-stringed fiddle, believed to have been introduced from China during the Goryeo period, was once played throughout Asia.

The Haegeum has no finger board and is played vertically on the left knee, with a bow scraped against two silk strings. It produces a nasal tone and piercing sounds and hence is also called kkangkkangi.