Samulnori (Korean Tradisional Music)

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1. Kkwaenggwari have many other names like soe (metal), maegu kkwangmaegi, kkwangsoe, and soegum. This instrument is played by holding it with left hand and ringed by a hard wooden beater. Kkwaenggwari forms jangdan (tempo). This musical instrument is an imporant part of samulnori show. The player of this instrument is called sangsoe (show leader) that also the best in dancing (chumsawi). The origin of this instrument is approximated from Zhou Dynasty (ancient Chinese). Kkwaenggwari is made of brass and metal, but nowadays gold or silver is used in its composition. Its notes/pitch is a combination of copper and iron. When the ratio of copper is much more than iron (exceeding 60-70%), the sound that is produced by kkwaenggwari becomes clearer and higher.
2. Jing is a gong that is made of brass. Its other names are geum, geumjing, and geumra. Jing created sounds that symbolize the wind. Jing is played by hitted with a hitter that is covered by cloth so that the sound that is produced have low notes but also deep and soft.
3. Janggo, also called seyogo is a traditional Korean drum. The shape is slim and resembles hour-glass. Janggo is hitted with two small sticks.
4. Buk is shaped round like a wooden barrel. It is functioned as a main tempo marker.

All these 4 instruments have distinctive symbols. Kkwaenggwari represents lightning, Jing  represents wind, Janggo represents rain, Buk represents cloud.

The sound of Buk and Janggo symbolize the sky, the sound of Jing and Kkwaenggwari symbolize the ground (earth).

 

The musical characteristics that are dynamic, energic, and fast is considered representing the characteristics of Korean people.

**the pictures above are from my powerpoint presentation, you can download it here. (please click skip ad)