Information AboutGayageum |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT GAYAGEUM | |
| gaya | |
| korean musical instruments | |
| string instruments | |
| heterochord half-tube zithers | |
A gayageum is a traditional Korea n Zither -like String Instrument , with 12 Strings , although more recently variants have been constructed with 21 or other numbers of Strings . It draws its name from the ancient Korea n confederacy of Gaya , where it is said to have been invented. It is probably the best known traditional Korea n Musical Instrument . HISTORY According to the Samguksagi (1145), the ''gayageum'' is supposed to have been made around the 6th Century in the Gaya Confederacy by King Gasil after he observed an old chinese instrument. He then ordered a musican, Ureuk to write music that can be played on the instrument. The instrument is then further improvised by Wu Ruk in the time of king of Jinhung in the Silla Dynasty. However according to CCAIS (2005), excavations in Kwangsan, Jeolla -namdo Province have found some fragments of a ''gayageum'' dating from the 1st Century BC . Besides that, some ancient writings which contradicts with the Samguksagi, also speaks of different origin of the instrument. The ancient ''gayageum'' of King Gashil is known with names of, ''beopgeum''(law-zither, 법금), ''pungnyu''(elegance, 풍류), or '' Jeong-ak ''(right music, 정악) ''gayageum''. It is normally associated with court music, chamber music and lyrical songs accompaniment. This type of ''gayageum'' has a wider string spacings and plays a slower tempo music such as Yeongsan-hoesang and Mit-doduri. The '' Sanjo gayageum'' is believed to have evolved in the 19th Century with the emergence of Sanjo music, literally means scattered melodies, a musical form involving some Improvisation . For the sanjo ''gayageum'', the closer spacing of the Strings and shorter length of the instrument enables a musician to play the faster passages required for Sanjo (Choi 2005). The '' Sanjo gayageum'' is now the most wide spread form of ''gayageum''.(KCMPC 2001). All traditional ''gayageum'' uses Silk Strings , although recently it may be replaced with Nylon strings. Nowadays, the modern ''gayageum'' is mainly Nylon and Steel Strings (Choi 2005). Also currently Brass Strings are also introdused to produse louder sound, preferred for Dancing (Park 2004). To play modern music, more strings is required to increase its range. ''Gayageums'' is available with 13, 17, 18, 21, 22 and 25 number of Strings (Choi 2005), although more strings is also availabe on custom made. CONSTRUCTION The ''beobgeum gayageum'' (pictured) is 160 cm long by 30 cm wide by 10 cm high. Its body is made from a single piece of Paulownia wood. The Resonator chamber is hollowed out of the piece of paulownia. The '' Sanjo gayageum'' is about 142 cm long by 23 cm wide by 10 cm high. It has the Soundboard made of paulownia, but uses a harder wood such as Chestnut or Walnut for the sides and the back, so the Resonator chamber is made of both (Choi 2005) (KCMPC 2001). On the Soundboard , Anjok (movable Bridge s) support the Strings . These bridges may be moved to adjust the Tuning . The strings enter the top of the body, and underneath are Tolgwae (tuning pegs). At the other end, the Strings are wound around free floating pegs, looped through holes at the bottom of the instrument, and then the strings are all tied in a coil (Choi 2005) (KCMPC 2001). SEE ALSO REFERENCES
EXTERNAL LINKS Listening
Video
|
|
|