Geomungo

Geomungo

Infobox Korean name


hangul=거문고 "or" 현금
hanja=(none) "or"
rr=geomun(-)go "or" hyeon(-)geum
mr=kŏmun'go "or" hyŏn'gŭm
The "geomungo" (also spelled "komungo" or "kŏmun'go") or "hyeongeum" (also spelled ("hyongum" or "hyŏn'gŭm") is a traditional Korean stringed musical instrument of zither family instrument with both bridges and frets. Scholars believe that the name refers to Goguryeo and translates to "Goguryeo zither" or that it refers to the colour and translates to "black crane zither".

History

The instrument originated circa the fourth century (see Anak Tomb No.3 infra) through the 7th century from the kingdom of Goguryeo, which comprises the northern part of modern-day southern Manchuria and the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula, although the instrument can be traced back to the 4th century.

According to the "Samguk Sagi" (Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms), written in 1145, the "geomungo" was invented by prime minister Wang San-ak by using the form of the ancient Chinese instrument "guqin" (also called "chilhyeongeum", literally "seven-string zither"). After his death, the instrument was passed down to Ok Bogo, Son Myeong-deuk, Gwi Geum, An Jang, Cheong Jang, and Geuk Jong, while being widely spread over the kingdom.

Archetype of the instrument is painted in Goguryeo tombs. They are found in the tomb of Muyongchong and Anak Tomb No.3.

Construction

The "geomungo" is approximately 162 cm long and 23 cm wide (63.75 inches long, 9 inches wide), and has movable bridges called Anjok and 16 convex frets. It has a hollow body where the front plate of the instrument is made of paulownia wood and the back plate is made of hard chestnut wood. Its six strings, which are made of twisted silk passed through its back plate. The pick is made from bamboo sticks in the size of regular household pencil.

Playing

The "geomungo" is generally played while seated on the floor. The strings are plucked with a short bamboo stick called "suldae", which is held between the index and middle fingers of the right hand, while the left hand presses on the strings to produces various pitches. The most typical tuning of the open strings for the traditional Korean music is E flat, A flat, C, B flat, B flat, and B flat an octave lower than the central tone. The instrument is played in traditional Korean court music and the folk styles of sanjo and sinawi.

Due to its characteristically percussive sound and vigorous playing technique it is thought of as a more "masculine" instrument than the 12-string gayageum (another Korean zither); both instruments, however, are played by both male and female performers.

The Korean-born, U.S. resident "geomungo" performer and composer Jin Hi Kim plays a custom-made electric "geomungo" in addition to the regular instrument. [http://www.mediateletipos.net/wp-content/images/2006/06/electric_260x437.jpgphoto]

ee also

*Traditional Korean musical instruments
*Korean music
*List of Korea-related topics

External links

* [http://www.geomungo.com/ Information Website]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Jin Hi Kim — Infobox Korean name hangul=김진희 hanja=| rr=Gim Jin hui mr=Kim Chinhŭi Jin Hi Kim (b. Incheon, South Korea, February 6, 1957) is a geomungo player and composer.She is known for introducing the geomungo (a Korean bass zither, also spelled komungo )… …   Wikipedia

  • Guqin — Classification Chinese Silk (絲) …   Wikipedia

  • List of string instruments — This is a list of string instruments categorized according to the technique used to produce sound, followed by a list of string instruments grouped by country or region of origin. Bowed instruments * Ajaeng (Korea) * Anzad * Arpeggione * Banhu… …   Wikipedia

  • Hwang Jin-i — Infobox Korean name caption=Alleged portrait of Hwang Jin I. hangul=황진이 hanja=黃眞伊 rr=Hwang Jini mr=Hwang Chini othername1=Gisaeng name hangul1=명월 hanja1=明月 rr1=Myeong wol mr1=MyŏngwŏlHwang Jin i (1520c. 1560c.), also known by her gisaeng name… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste von Musikinstrumenten — Diese Liste enthält Musikinstrumente, also Gegenstände, die entweder eigens hergestellt wurden, um mit den Tönen, die sie erzeugen, Musik zu machen, oder die in einer Nebenfunktion regelmäßig zum Musikmachen verwendet werden. Teile von… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Musique coréenne — Sommaire 1 Musiques traditionnelles gugak 1.1 Musiques de Cour 1.2 Musique aristocratique jeongak 1.3 Musiques rituelles …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Hwang Jini — For the 2007 film, see Hwang Jin Yi (Film). For the 2006 television drama, see Hwang Jin i (TV series). This is a Korean name; the family name is Hwang. Hwang Jini Hangul 황진이 Hanja …   Wikipedia

  • List of musical instruments — The following is a list of musical instruments, categorized by section. Please add to List of musical instruments by Hornbostel Sachs number also. See also List of instruments by nationality and There are 482 musical instruments listed. This… …   Wikipedia

  • Music of Korea — Traditional Korean music includes both the folk, vocal, religious and ritual music styles of the Korean people. Korean music, along with arts, painting, and sculpture has been practiced since prehistoric times.[1] Two distinct musical cultures… …   Wikipedia

  • Sanjo (music) — Sanjo is a style of traditional Korean music, involving an instrumental solo accompanied by drumming on the janggu , an hourglass shaped drum. Sanjo was first developed around 1890 by Kim Chang jo (1865 1920), for the gayageum . Thereafter, it… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”