Yanggum

Yanggum is a percussion string instrument which is sounded by Chae (bamboo-made, thin

plectra).
The name Yanggum means the Western harp. This kind of instruments are wide spread in the
world as traditional national instruments, and were introduced into the professional music of
circles of Korea in the 18th century.
Yanggum was also introduced into Japan at the end of Edo period, but it didn't see any further
progress.
Most traditional string instrument of Korea use silk strings, but it uses steel strings. So it is also
called Chol Sa Gum (Chol means iron; Sa means string; Gum means harp.)

Tanso
Tanso is made up of 2 words. Tan means short and so is a generic term for wind instruments.
Tanso is a most popular Korean wind instrument together with other so, Tongso (Korean Flute).
Formerly, it was made of bamboo, but now it is made of synthetic resin as a result of several
innovations.
The sound is clear and beautiful with its emotional, penetrating timbre. The sound is wide and
soft in the law range; bright and beautiful in the mid-range; penetrating in the high range.
Tanso came to be played after the middle of the 15th century, and it was especially favored by
woodcutters for this clear sound.
Choktae
In Korean version, a recorder is called So among no-reed instruments of the wood wind section
while a flute called Cho.
Choktae (representative Korean flute) has an embouchure, 6 holes for sound and one more holes
as a half tone device.
There are 3 kinds of Choktae -- Tae Ham (big flute), Chung Ham (middle flute) and So Ham
(small flute).

Hae Gum
Haegum is a percussive bow string instrument which is very popular in Korea today.
Hae Gum resembled Chinese Ho Gung in its structure and rendition, but we can find its
originality in our traditional Korean climate.
First of all, Hae Gum can be compared to the medieval musical instrument called Fugin, which
had been in Korea since before the Christian era, and became an indispensable musical
instrument in both court and popular music circles, according to records.
Senap
Piri and Senap are well-known double reed-wood wind instruments among traditional Korean
musical instruments.
Senap distinguished itself from the other instruments in its volume. Senap is also called Tae
Pyong So or Nal Ra Ri.
Nal Ra Ri, another name of Senap, is named after its sound, and the name is more popular
among the public.
Senap came to be popular among the people around the 13th century, according to records.
There are following passage on Senap in An Authentic Record of King Tae Jo : ... One of them
often played so (generic term for wind instruments), an instrument called Tae Pyong
So.Moreover, Chong Dong Mu, famous poet mentions this instrument in one of his poems.
Senap, is generally a wind instrument with a copper-made trumpet attached to the wooden tube.
Senap was originally used by military bands, and by and by spread to the public.
As it was widely spread, its cheerful and optimistic sound was introduced into Nong
Ak (farmer?s music) and become an indispensable sole melodic instrument. Nong Ak is a kind of
music which is played in festivals to celebrate the year's good harvest, and to express thanks to
farmers' labor after autumn harvest.
Nong Ak bands, with Senap in the ban of percussive traditional musical instruments such as
Megu, Kenggari, and Changgo, gather from villagers to celebrate a good harvest.
Old farmers say that the timbre of Senap told them about the result of the year's harvest.
If the timbre was very cheerful and colorful, they would have a good harvest, and a bad harvest if
the timber sounded sorrowful.
Senap is characterized by its large sound volume and its tone color, so it is played effectively in
solo or ensemble.
The latter part of the orchestra Chong San-ri Always Enjoy Bumper Crop gives full play to this
instrument.
It is especially effective in F major key and D minor key. Chang (long) Se Senap was developed
from Senap with its won unique features retained.
A reed was added for a correct half-tone and, the tube lengthened, and the trumpet made smaller.
As a result, its sound range became wider and the timber softer than before to produce a rich
emotional timbre.
It came to be able to play appealing musical compositions for festive occasions effectively with
its rich power of expression.

Piri
Among double-reed recorders in the traditional Korean musical instruments, the most popular
brass wind instrument is Senap and Piri in the wood wind section.
According to records, Piri came into being earlier than Senap, and was especially loved by
Korean people from before the Christian era.
Piri is the generic term of recorders and flutes, that is, of those which are composed of a bamboo
bar (synthetic resin or other materials) with some holes, which is sounded by the player's breath,
and became favorite instruments of the Korean people.
Piri has several different kinds of from the beginning and most representative among them are
Hyang Piri, Se Piri, Tang Piri.
Hyang Piri, Se (thin) Piri and Tang (Chinese) Piri are very similar to each other in appearance
and the principle of sounding.
They have 7 holes in front and one hole in the back side. Musical intervals or sound like Ronum
(traditional Korean rendition) can be adjusted by the way the reed is held in the mouth or by the
tongue.
Of them, Hyang Piri produces very sharp sound, and very effective for clear melodies in concert.
Se Piri is the most representative instrument of the three kinds of Piris, and a little smaller and
thinner than Hyang Piri.
Se Piri ranks first in its power of expression compared with their traditional instruments.
Moreover the timbre is close to human voice (rather man's voice), and is so attractive to people's
mind.
While, Tang Piri was named after its origin, Tang dynasty China distinguish itself from the other
Piris as Hyang Piri and Se Piri.
It is almost the same as the two other Piris, in appearance as well as rendition, but is a bit thicker
than the other two Piris.
According to records, 20 pieces of Tang Piri were introduced into Korea in June 1, 114.
Piri is played widely not only in sole but also in duet and concert with other string instruments
and as accompaniment to folk songs because it is easy to adjust its volume, and can be played
easily in harmony with other instruments.
After the liberation of Korea from Japan, Piri has undergone several reforms like other
traditional instruments, and Small Piri, Middle Piri, Big Piri and Law Range Piri has been newly
added to its original form.
Small Piri and Middle are often played in solo for folk songs and for dances.
Tae (big) Piri is played mainly in concert. These Piris is played mainly in concert. These Piris
that have gone through several reforms distinguished themselves from other instruments by their
diverse ad unique ways of expression.