2. Korea is an East Asian country that is currently divided into two
separate countries: the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).
North Korea
government: Communist government
capital: Pyongyang (largest city)
South Korea
government: strongly anti-Communist
capital: Seoul (largest city)
Joseon (“Land of the Morning Calm”) – named given to Korea.
3. Though the Chinese greatly influenced Korean music, the
music of these two regions varies. South Korea tries to preserve its
traditional music but the Western music has entered and influenced its
people, especially the young ones. This started the K-Pop genre, which
spread worldwide.
Musical Elements Characteristics
Rhythm Uses triple time signature or
group of three
Melody Uses pentatonic scale
Harmony and Texture Monophonic Texture
4. Traditional Music
1. Chong-ak - the music associated with the ruling classes or royal people
Two kinds of Chong-ak:
a. Aak – performed inside the palace
b. Min’gancchong-ak – performed outside the court
Three vocal forms of Chong-ak
1. Kasa – a long narrative song
2. Kagok – a lyrical song
3. Sijo – a short lyrical song and is the simplest of the three vocal forms
5. Sujech’on is one of the most famous pieces of banquet music.
It is the most popular instrumental composition. It has a slow tempo and
an irregular meter and the main melody is played by the piri (an oboe
type instrument). It often claimed to be at least 1,300 years old, which
would predate the first compilation of Gregorian chants.
2. Sog-ak – narrates common life experiences which made it popular
among the ordinary people
3. Shaman – This is a Buddhist song performed by a female priest called
called the mudang. It is the music of the underclass.
6. 4. Pomp’ae – Buddhist song of praise similar to a Gregorian chant
a. Hossori – short chant
b. Chissori – long chant
5. Non-ak – farmer’s song
6. P’ansori – song drama
7. Minyo – native melody sang by ordinary people with the flow of
movement in three’s and in triple meter
8. Sanjo – solo instrumental song
9. Hyangak – native court banquet music of Korea
7. Musical Ensembles and Instruments
1. Salmunori – It came from the Korean words “sa” and “mul” meaning
four objects and “nori” means to play. It is known as a virtuoso quartet
percussion ensemble consisting of the ching (jing), kwaenggwari,
changgu(jang gu and puk (buk). The kwaenggwari is a flat gong.
8. 2. Pungmul – It is the outdoor band ensemble composed of drums,
gongs, and taepyongso.
9. 3. Sinawi Ensemble – It is performed improvisionally by a musical
ensemble, and traditionally accompanies the rites o Korean
This ensemble includes piri, haegum, janggu, buk, and daegum (large
flute).
10. A. Chordophones
Musical Instruments
Gayageum Haegum
- a board zither which has a dozen
strings with different thickness
- a bamboo instrument with two silk
strings, played with a bow
11. Hyang -bipa Yanggeum
- A five-stringed instrument played
with a pick
- It is a hammered dulcimer. Unlike
other traditional Korean instrument,
the yanggeum has a metal strings.
12. B. Aerophones
P’ri Taepyongso
- cylindrically-shaped bamboo
instrument with double-reed mouth
piece similar to the oboe
- high-pitched double reed pipe
13. Saenghwang Choktae
- A mouth organ with 17
bamboo tubes
- It has six holes. It is like a flute
but looks like a clarinet
15. Buk Bak
- low-pitched barrel drum, played
with a single wooden mallet
- It is made from six pieces of birch
wood used in dances. It is a wooden
clapper used in Korean court and
ritual music.
