Music of Korea

Korean music history is divided into three Terran periods: ancient, medieval, and modern. The first period, or the
ancient one, dates from the ancient tribal states to the foundation of Goryeo dynasty. The distinguishing characteristics of this
period can be found in the development of akkamu (music, songs, and dance) comprising the kamu (singing and dancing) or
angmu (music and dance) performed in the worship rites of heaven and Earth of the ancient society, the introduction of some
instruments from Central Asia during the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C.-668 AD), and the development of hyangakki
(indigenous instruments) in each of the Three Kingdoms. Thus, in southern Manchuria, music and dance developed in worship
rites and rituals such as the Yonggo of the Buyeo state, the Dongmaeng of the Goguryeo state, and the Much'on of the Ye tribal
state, while in the Samhan, the Kip'ungje provides an example of song and dance in connection with an agricultural ritual.

Vocal Music
Vocal music is another important facet of the Korean tradition. One of the longest and rarest older forms is the kagok,
which consists of 26 five-section solo songs and one duet. Accompaniments and interludes are provided by a small ensemble
that usually consists of a kmungo (six-stringed zither), a sepiri (a small double-reed aerophone ), a taegm (large bamboo
flute), a haegm (two-stringed fiddle), and a changgo (hourglass drum). Sijo is a three-line form of classical Korean lyric poetry
that may be sung to the sole accompaniment of an hourglass drum; in formal settings, however, the drum is normally joined by
a double-reed aerophone, a flute, or a fiddle. Narrative songs are found in the genre called kasa accompanied by a flute and
drum.
Gagok is a genre of Korean vocal music for mixed female and male voices. Accompaniments and interludes are played
by a small ensemble of traditional Korean musical instruments.

Elements of Music
This study explores general information about Korean folk songs and the specific use of elements of Korean folk music,
such as modes, rhythmic patterns, and unique ornamentations, which appear in this piece. Arirang, the title of the Mass, is the
most famous and celebrated folk song in the history of Korea. It has served as the basis for pieces in almost all musical
genres. This document investigates Arirang's significance in understanding Korean culture, and introduces the four versions of
Arirang adopted in Huh's work. Missa Arirang is not only a compelling choral composition, containing Korean traditional musical
aspects, but also a beneficial resource to introduce traditional Korean music to non-Korean musicians. In addition, the piece
delivers the message of "peace" through various musical contents in the composition.

Musical Instruments
Traditional Korean instruments can be broadly divided into three groups: string, wind and percussion instruments.The
gayageum (12-string zither) and geomungo (six-string plucked zither) are part of the string fold instruments. The haegum (twostring vertical fiddle) and the ajaeng (seven-string zither) is part of the string T'ang. Court string music also included use of the
seven-string zither and the 25-string zither.The daegeum (large transverse flute), piri (cylindrical oboe) and grass flute are all
called wind folk. Wind T'ang includes the Chinese oboe, vertical flute and hojok or taepyongso (shawm). The saenghwang
(mouth organ), panpipes, hun (ocarina), flute with mouthpiece, danso (small-notch vertical flute), and flute are wind court
instruments.Percussion folk instruments include jing (large hanging gong), kkwaenggwari (hand-held gong), buk (barrel drum),
janggu (hourglass drum). The bak (clapper) and the janggu (hourglass drum) are the percussion T'ang instruments. Percussion
court includes the pyeongjong (bronze bells), pyeongyeong (stone chimes), chuk (square wooden box with mallet) and eo (tigershaped scraper).

String
Korean string instruments include those that are plucked, bowed, and struck. Most Korean string instruments use silk
strings, except as noted.

Plucked
Gayageum (hangul: ; hanja: ) A long zither with 12 strings; modern versions may have 13, 17, 18,
21, 22, or 25 strings
Geomungo (hangul: ; hanja: A fretted bass zither with six strings that is plucked with a bamboo stick
Daejaeng (hangul: ; hanja: ) A long zither with 15 strings, slightly larger than the gayageum; it was used
during the Goryeo period but is no longer usedphoto
Seul (hangul: ; hanja: ) A long zither with 25 strings, derived from the Chinese se; used today only in Munmyo
jeryeak (Korean Confucian ritual music)photo
Junghaegeum (hangul: ; hanja: ) - A modernized fiddle with four strings similar to modern viola; used
only in North Korea[2]
Daehaegeum (hangul: ; hanja: ) - A modernized fiddle with four strings similar to modern cello; used
only in North Korea[3]
Jeohaegeum (hangul: ; hanja: ) - A modernized fiddle with four strings similar to modern double bass;
used only in North Korea[4]

Struck
Yanggeum (hangul: ; hanja: ) A hammered dulcimer with cotton strings, struck with a bamboo stick

Flutes
Ji (hangul: ; hanja: ) An ancient vertical bamboo flute with a protruding notched blowhole and five finger holes
(one in the back and four in the front), used only in aak; derived from the Chinese ch; used also in Munmyo jeryeak (Korean
Confucian ritual music)
Jeok (hangul: ; hanja: )
So (hangul: ; hanja: ) A pan flute; derived from the Chinese paixiao; used only in Munmyo jeryeak (Korean
Confucian ritual music)
Dangjeok (hangul: ; hanja: ) A small transverse bamboo flute of Tang Chinese origin, slightly smaller than
the junggeum

Oboses
Piri (hangul: ; hanja: ) A cylindrical oboe with a bamboo body. There are four varieties of piri:
Hyang piri (hangul: ; hanja: )

Se piri (hangul: ; hanja: )

Dang piri (hangul: ; hanja: )

Horns
Nabal (hangul: ; hanja: ) Long metal trumpet
Nagak (hangul: ; hanja: ) Sea shell horn; also called sora
Percussion[edit]
Chimes[edit]
Jong (hangul: ; hanja: ) A bronze bell
Pyeonjong (hangul: ; hanja: ) A set of 16 tuned bronze bells used in ancient court music; derived from the
Chinese bianzhong
Teukjong (hangul: ; hanja: ) A single large bronze bell
Pungmul-buk used in pungmul
Noego (hangul: ; hanja: ) Three small barrel drums on a pole, which is twisted to play; used in ritualmusic
Do () single pellet drum on a pole

Gongs
Kkwaenggwari (hangul: ) A small gong used primarily in folk music
Jing (hangul: ; hanja: ) A large gong; originally pronounced jeong ()

Cymbals
Jabara (hangul: ; also called bara, bal, or jegeum) pair of large brass cymbals

Other
Bak (hangul: ; hanja: ) A wooden clapper used in ancient court and ritual music
Bu (hangul: ; hanja: ) A clay pot used in Confucian ritual music; derived from the Chinese fu
Chuk (hangul: ; hanja: ) A wooden box, played by hitting a stick on the inside, used to mark beats or sections;
derived from the Chinese zh; used in ancient ritual music
Eo (hangul: ; hanja: ) A wooden percussion instrument carved in the shape of a tiger with a serrated back,
played by running a bamboo whisk across it to mark the ends of sections; derived from the Chinese y
Bongos an instrument from egypt
URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Korea; http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/handle/1808/12352; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagok