Music of Korea

• Korea


  Found in East Asia, adjacent to China and Japan
• Korea

  • A peninsula, a landform extending from the mainland and surrounded by water
  • Northern border formed by two rivers: Amnokkang and Tuman-gang, separating it from Manchuria
• Eastern China is about 200 kilometers away, and the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu are 206 kilometers southeast of Korea
• Because of its location, Korea served as a bridge for Buddhism to cross over to Japan, thus creating a cultural sphere of Buddhism and Confucianism between the three countries
• The name "Korea"

  Means "land of high mountains and sparkling streams", taken from the word Koryo, which is the name of an ancient kingdom
• Mountains and streams make up the terrain of Korea and because of this only one-fifth of the land can be cultivated
• Climate in Korea

  • Experiences typhoons and hot summers, but also experiences fall, spring, and winter
• At the end of World War II, Korea was divided into two by the DMZ or the "Demilitarized Zone"
• DMZ

  A temporary political boundary formed by the Korea Armistice of 1953 which ended the Korean War (1950-1953)
• The Korean War began as a civil war and expanded into an international war fought in Korea between communism and capitalism
• The DMZ is considered off-limits to civilians and military, but there is always tension between the two sides, who constantly intimidate each other
• Seoul, South Korea's capital

  • Found just south of the DMZ and is vulnerable to the North Korean military forces
  • The fourth-largest urban center and has a bustling city life with crowded streets, skyscrapers, subways, and industries
• Pyongyang, North Korea's capital

  • At a safer distance from South Korean soldiers
  • Moderately-sized and cleaner compared to Seoul
• Buddhism and Shamanism are two of the biggest religions in Korea
• Buddhism


  Brought to Korea by China in the 4th century CE, accepted by the courts and then extended to the people
• Shamanism


  An ancient Korean tradition involving communication with the spirit world through a medium called a shaman, who does this communication with the unseen while in a state of trance
• Buddhism and Shamanism have both seen a decline, especially after World War II, due to factors such as communism in the North and the growing influence of Christianity in the South
• Korea is found in East Asia, adjacent to China and Japan
• Korea is called a peninsula because it stretches out from the mainland and is surrounded by water
• "Korea" is taken from the word Koryo, the name of an ancient kingdom
• The DMZ divides Korea into North and South
• The DMZ was a temporary political boundary formed by the Korea Armistice of 1953
• The Korean War started as a civil war and expanded into an international war
• Buddhism was brought to Korea by China in the 4th century CE
• Shamanism involves communication with the spirit world through a medium called a shaman
• Wonhyo Daisa was a monk who used music, dance, and literature to teach Buddhism
• The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang
• Korea is found in East Asia, not Southeast Asia
• The capital of South Korea is Seoul, not Pyongyang
• Korea is a peninsula
• Buddhism and Shinto are not the biggest religions in Korea, it is Buddhism and Shamanism
• The Korean War was originally a civil war
• The warm timbre of Korean music is the result of the materials from which the instruments are made, typically wood
• Traditional Korean musical instruments

  • String: Gayageum, Geomungo, Hyang-bipa, Dang-bipa, Hae-gum, Yang-geum
  • Wind: Daegeum, Sogeum, Junggeum, Hyang-piri, Saeng-hwang, Hun
  • Percussion: Jing, Kkwaenggwari, Pungmul buk, Sori buk, Pungmul Janggo
• Jeju Island


  land of the gods
• Gayageum — the most representative instrument of Korea, with origins tracing back to Gaya Kingdom in the 6th century. It is a 12-string zither.
• Geomungo — a 6-string zither with 16 frets, played with a plectrum.
• Hyang-bipa — a 5-string instrument similar in appearance to a lute. It is also played with

  a pick. It originally had 5 frets but was increased to 10 during the Choson Dynasty.

  Modern versions can have up to 12 frets. The word hyang is a Chinese word that means

  “native”, which indicated that this instrument is native to Korea.
• Dang-bipa — a 4-string instrument with 12 frets similar in appearance to the hyang-bipa. The word dang refers to China, which means that the instrument is a native Chinese instrument.
• Hae-gum — a spike fiddle with two strings tuned a fifth apart. It produces sound through running a bow between the strings.