The Gayageum 가야금 is a traditional instrument, similar to a harp but traditionally played sitting down on the lap.
1. Historical Origins
The origins of the gayageum can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty 고려시대 (918-1392). It was made as a descendant of the Chinese Guzheng. It was mainly played in the royal courts but made its way to other parts of Korean society, making its mark on traditional Korean music.
2. Appearance
The Gayageum is a 12-string instrument. The strings are made of silk and there are also 12 moveable wooden bridges that assist with tuning the instrument. Traditionally, the wooden soundboard is made of paulownia, known for its acoustic properties. Occasionally, strings on cheaper versions of the gayageum can be made of plastic. The gayageum is rectangular in shape with slight curvature.
There is also a 25-string gayageum, more similar to the Chinese guzheng and more modern/recent. It is tuned by moving the bridges, as well as turning knobs inside the instrument. This can be played sitting on the ground, but it is typically played sitting on a chair, using a stand.
Another version of the gayageum is the Geomungo 거문고. This has 6 strings
and is played by striking a stick on the strings.
The gayageum consists of many different genres of music, including court music (jeongak), folk music (minyo), and instrumental solos (sanjo).
The gayageum holds an important role in Korean culture and its music, with its ability to evoke musical emotion and feeling through heung 흥.
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