Someone has rightly said that “Music is the language of the soul, and every culture has its own dialect.”
Each culture has its musical language, a means of expressing emotions and beliefs, and ceremonial trappings through sound.
In Korea, the ancient art of music is rich in instruments that not only play notes but also describe history, tell tales, and represent values that have influenced this country for centuries.
Every instrument sings in a unique voice to express emotion and connect with the listeners. Some instruments are loud and exciting, which are used in festivals. Others are quiet and soft, perfect for peaceful ceremonies.
So, in this article, we’ll delve into a few of these instruments that have shaped Korean music for generations.
String Instruments
Usually made from wood, silk, and other synthetic materials such as nylon, these are a group of instruments that produce sounds by using the technique of plucking, bowing, and striking. You can see these instruments being used in Korean court music and folk music performances. These are also often used in Buddhist and shaman ceremonies.
Let’s see some popular string instruments:
Gayageum
It is similar to a zither. It is played by plucking with fingers or a plectrum. It usually has twelve strings, but these days you can also find gayageum having more than twelve strings. It produces a very soft and soothing sound.
Geomungo
It is similar to a Gayageum, but instead of having twelve or more strings, it has only six thick strings. It is played by using a bamboo stick known as suldae in Korean. Having thick strings, it produces deeper and more resonant sounds.
Haegeum
Similar to the shape of a fiddle, this instrument has a long wooden neck and drum-like body. It has only two strings. It is played by using a bow. It can produce a wide range of sounds, which are not only used in traditional music but have also made their way into contemporary music.
Ajaeng
It has a very big rectangular body. It usually consists of seven or eight strings. It is played using a stick, which produces a very unique and deep sound. It’s best to express sorrowful and deep emotions.
Wind Instruments
This group of instruments is often made out of bamboo. Their classification depends on the musician’s posture and the direction of the instruments. In addition to court and folk music, you can see these instruments in Confucian ritual music performances.
Some popular wind instruments are:
Daegeum
It is a large bamboo flute that can produce both soft and loud resonant sounds. These distinctive sounds are made by using different breathing patterns and a unique membrane covering.
Piri
Similar to the oboe, it is a large double reed cylindrical shaped instrument. Capable of producing a wide range of versatile sounds, it has eight holes. Seven holes are in the front, and one at the back.
Danso
In comparison to other flutes, the Danso is a smaller flute. It has four holes in the front and one at the back. Due to its size, it produces a very light but high pitch sound. It is a popular instrument among beginners because of its simplicity in comparison to others. It came from China and was introduced to Korea during the Joseon dynasty.
Percussion Instruments
This group of instruments is often made out of materials such as animal skin, stone, metals, and bamboo. These can be categorized into types of instruments, one with pitch and one without pitch. These instruments can often be seen during Samulnori performances. These instruments make the performance energetic.
Let’s look into popular percussion instruments:
Buk
Made from the wood of the paulownia tree and animal hide, this is a barrel shaped drum. It was used in the court and folk music performances. The buk is usually played with sticks to produce a deep and resonant sound. It is struck on both sides of the drum to produce diverse rhythms.
Janggu
It is a hourglass shaped drum having two different sizes on the sides. Due to the difference in size, it can produce different types of complex rhythms. One side produces a deeper sound, and the other produces a sharper, high pitch sound. It is played using two sticks.
Traditional instruments of old Korea are still alive today. These instruments are the voice of Korean history and culture. They carry the stories from the palaces of the kings to the festivals of the farmers. Many of these instruments are taught to students at school and are featured in performances and collaborations of today’s music world. By learning about the instruments, we can not only learn about Korean history, but also how music connects people across geography and time zones.
Written by – Aparna Sharma
About the Author –
Aparna has a deep curiosity for languages and global cultures. She enjoys diving into stories that offer fresh perspectives and meaningful connections. For her, writing is a way to process ideas and connect with others who share similar interests.