There are approximately sixty traditional Korean musical instruments that have been handed down through the generations, each boasting of a long and rich history. They include the gayageum (12-string zither) and the geomungo (six-string zither), both presumed to have originated before the sixth century; the three string and three bamboo instruments of the Unified Silla Kingdom; court instruments of the Joseon Dynasty; and numerous others that are still being played.
 | Korean musical instruments have a long history and tradition. Shown here are musicians performing on court instruments. |
Native or folk instruments played a major role in the development of music in Korea from early civilizations to the Unified Silla Kingdom (668-935). The Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C.-A.D. 668) witnessed the first introduction of Central Asian instruments into the country. This, along with the subsequent import of Chinese instruments,
most importantly from Tang China during the late Unified Silla period
and from Song China during the Goryeo period (918-1392), sparked
a significant rise in the number of available instruments. This,
in turn, made it possible for musicians to experiment, thereby expanding
the scope and depth of local music. With time, Chinese instruments
imported during these periods were slowly integrated into local
music, and by the time the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) was established,
they had already become an integral part of Korean music. Traditional
Korean instruments can be broadly divided into three groups: string,
wind, and percussion instruments. Based on their function, they
can further be divided into native Hyang, Tang (of Chinese origin),
and court ceremonial instruments.
Gayageum (12-string zither): The gayageum is the most representative instrument of Korea. Its origin can be traced back to the Kingdom of Gaya in the sixth century, when the Silla Kingdom was ruled by King Jinheung. However, the actual production of the first gayageum is presumed to have been much earlier. The instrument is constructed with 12 strings supported by 12 moveable bridges. The gayageum can be divided into two groups according to the types of music played upon them. The sanjo gayageum is used in folk and improvisatory musical pieces such as sanjo (solo music with drum accompaniment) and sinawi (improvisational ensemble music). The jeongak gayageum is used in chamber music such as Yeongsan-hoesang (mass at the sacred mountain) or to accompany lyric songs.
Geomungo (six-string zither): Along with the gayageum, the geomungo is one of the most important Korean instruments. Instruments that appear to be early, primitive forms of the geomungo have been discovered inside ancient Goguryeo tombs in various locations. The geomungo that is used today is constructed with six strings and 16 frets, and is played with a plectrum. It is used to accompany lyric songs as well as in chamber music and sanjo (solo music with drum accompaniment).
2. Tang Instruments (Instruments of Chinese origin)
Haegeum (two-string fiddle): Although it was first imported from China, the haegeum has since been fully absorbed into the local culture. Today it is popularly used in various genres of Korean music. The instrument is played by inserting a resined bow between the two strings and rubbing it against the strings. It is currently used in jeongak (chamber music) and sanjo (solo music with drum accompaniment). In particular, the haegeum is an indispensable part of samhyeon yukkak, the ensemble consisting of string and wind instruments that are used to accompany dance.
Ajaeng (seven-string bowed zither): The three types of ajaeng are the jeongak ajaeng, the sanjo ajaeng, and the daejaeng. The jeongak ajaeng is constructed with seven strings and is used in Tang music such as Nagyangchun (Spring in Loyang) and Boheoja (Walking in the Void) as well as in native music such as Yeomillak (Enjoyment with the People) and Jeongeup (A song of Jeongeup city). The sanjo ajaeng has eight strings and is used exclusively in folk music such as sanjo and sinawi. The daejaeng is a large ajaeng with fifteen strings. While once widely used to play Chinese music during the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty, the daejaeng is no longer in use.
3. Court Ceremonial Instruments
Geum (seven-stringed zither): The Geum has seven strings and a base with thirteen marks inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which mark the place where to press down on the string. Used exclusively in court music ensembles during the Joseon Dynasty, the instrument is no longer used.
Seul (twenty-five string zither): This instrument has twenty five strings with 25 bridges. Along with the geum, the seul was used exclusively in court music ensembles and like the former is no longer played.
4. Other Instruments
Yanggeum (dulcimer): A European instrument that was imported from China during the 18th century, the yanggeum has 14 quadruple brass strings stretched over and under two brass bridges. The instrument is played by tapping the strings with a small bamboo stick.
Wind Instruments
1. Native Instruments
Daegeum (large transverse flute): The daegeum is one of three bamboo wind instruments of the Unified Silla period. The type used during that period was the jeongak daegeum. Another type currently used is the sanjo daegeum. The jeongak daegeum has 13 holes and is typically used for chamber music and song accompaniment. While similar to the jeongak daegeum in overall construction, the sanjo daegeum is slightly smaller in size and shorter in length. The two types of daegeum differ in their application as well: sanjo daegeum is used in sanjo (solo music with drum accompaniment) and sinawi (improvisational ensemble music) or to accompany folk songs and dance. The two types show a variation in pitch of a minor third when played with three holes.
Sogeum (small flute): The sogeum is one of the three bamboo instruments along with the daegeum (large flute) and the junggeum (medium-sized flute). While popularly used until the Joseon Dynasty, there are no remaining relics or prototypes to verify the exact shape of the instrument. A model of the sogeum was reconstructed based on existing documents, and this is the type that is currently being used.
Hyangpiri (Korean cylindrical oboe): The hyangpiri has seven finger holes and is used to perform jeongak such as Yeongsanhoesang and Jeongeup, and folk music including sanjo (solo music with percussion accompaniment) and wind orchestration.
Chojeok (grass flute): Made from blades of grass, the chojeok was widely popular among the common folk of Korea.
2. Tang Instruments (Instruments of Chinese origin)
Dangpiri (Chinese oboe): Shorter than hyangpiri but with a thicker cylinder, the current version of dangpiri has eight holes and is typically used to perform Chinese music.
Tungso (vertical flute): The two types of tungso are the jeongak tungso and the folk tungso. The jeongak tungso has nine holes and while widely popular until the Joseon Dynasty, it is no longer used. The folk tungso has five holes in all, one in the back, and four in the front. One has a reed membrane. The instrument is used in sinawi (improvisational ensemble music), sanjo (solo music with drum accompaniment) and the Bukcheong Lion Dance.
Taepyeongso (conical oboe): The taepyeongso was imported from China in the late fourteenth century during the late Goryeo or early Joseon Dynasty. With eight finger holes, the instrument is played by inserting a reed in the blowhole. It is most widely used in nongak (farmers' music).
3. Court Ceremonial Instruments
Saeng (mouth organ),
U (large mouth organ), and
Hwa (small mouth organ): The three mouth organs are similar in construction and only differ in the number of pipes. The saeng has 17 pipes, the hwa has 13, and the u, the largest, has 36. The only one still in use is the saeng used to perform both Chinese and native music.
So (panpipes): The three types are the 12-pipe, the 16-pipe, and the 24-pipe. The only one still being used in Korea is the 16-piped version, exclusively in court ceremonial music.
Hun (globular flute): The hun is created from baked clay and has five holes in all. It is used exclusively in Munmyo Jeryeak (ritual music performed at Confucian shrines).
Ji (flute with mouthpiece): The Ji has five finger holes in all, one in the back and four in front. The intervals between the holes are irregular. The instrument is used exclusively in court ceremonial music.
Yak (small-notched flute): Played vertically, the yak has three finger holes and is used in court music.
Jeok (flute): Played vertically, the jeok has one blowhole and six finger holes and is used in court ceremonial music.
4. Other Instruments
Danso (vertical flute): First played during the late Joseon Dynasty, the danso has five finger holes. It is used in chamber music such as Yeongsanhoesang and also for solo perfomances.
Sepiri (slender cylind-rical oboe): The sepiri is a slenderized version of the hyangpiri and has less volume. The instrument is used in orchestral music where the string section provides the core performance. It is also used in chamber ensemble music such as Yeongsanhoesang and in lyric songs, gasa (vernacular narrative verse), and sijo (short lyric songs).
Percussion Instruments
1. Native Instruments
Jing (large gong): Made from brass and played with a mallet wrapped in cloth, the jing was originally used in military music. Currently, it is widely used in a variety of music including chwita (band music for royal processions), nongak, musok music (shaman ritual music), and Buddhist music.
Kkwaenggwari (small gong or hand gong): Similar to the jing in its form and construction, the kkwaenggwari is smaller in size. Unlike the jing, it is played with a small unwrapped mallet and therefore creates a much sharper and high-pitched sound. The instrument is used in nongak and musok music (shaman ritual music).
Pungmulbuk (folk drum): This is mostly used in nongak and unlike the janggo or janggu, (hourglass drum), the materials used on both drumheads are identical. The instrument is played by striking the drumheads with a stick made from hard wood.
Soribuk (vocal accompaniment drum): A modified version of the pungmulbuk, the soribuk is similar to the former in its shape and construction. However, the two differ in that the soribuk has tiny metal tacks embedded around the rim of both drumheads. It is mostly used to accompany pansori (dramatic narrative singing).
Pungmul Janggo (folk hourglass drum): The pungmul janggo has a wooden body with two drumheads made of hide. The instrument is played by striking the drum-heads with two sticks, one in each hand. It is mostly used in nongak and also as accompaniment to folk songs and japga (folk ballads).
2.Tang Instruments (instruments of Chinese origin)
Bak (clapper): The bak is constructed of six wooden slats which are spread apart and then struck together, creating a clapping sound. The instrument was used to perform Chinese music during the Goryeo Dynasty, in court ceremonial music during the early Joseon Dynasty, and then in native music during the mid-Joseon Dynasty. It is used today for Munmyo Jeryeak (ritual music performed at Confucian shrines) and court orchestral music and dance accompaniment.
Janggo or Janggu (hourglass drum): According to existing documents, the jeongak janggo has been used since the Goryeo Dynasty. It has a wooden body and is widely used in both Chinese and native music.
3. Court Instruments
Pyeonjong (bronze bells) and
Teukjong (single bronze bell): The pyeonjong is constructed of two rows with eight bells in each row. All the bells are identical in size and only differ in their thickness. The bells are played by striking them with a horn-tipped mallet held in the right hand. The instrument was first imported from Song China during the Goryeo Dynasty. The first domestic production of the pyeonjong was under King Sejong during the Joseon Dynasty. Today, it is used in both native and Chinese court music. The teukjong has a single bronze bell and is used exclusively in court ceremonial music.
Pyeongyeong (stone chimes) and
Teukgyeong (single stone chime): The Pyeongyeong is constructed of two rows with eight L-shaped stones in each row. Imported from China as a court instrument with the Pyeongyeong during the Goryeo Dynasty, the Pyeongyeong was first produced domestically under King Sejong during the Joseon Dynasty. Its uses are identical to the pyeonjong. The teukgyeong is a single L-shaped stone and is used exclusively in court ceremonial music.
Chuk (percussion instrument with a square wooden box and mallet): The chuk is one of the instruments used to signal the beginning of a performance. Imported from Song China during the Goryeo Dynasty, it is today used exclusively in ritual music performed at the Confucian and Royal Ancestral Shrine ceremonies.
Eo (tiger-shaped wooden instrument): The eo is a tiger-shaped wooden instrument with 27 saw-toothed ridges on its back. The instrument is played by scraping the ridges with a bamboo stick. It is used to signal the end of a performance and is currently used in ritual music performed at Confucian shrines.
