STRATEGIC INTERVENTION MATERIAL

(SIM)
Project in MAPEH 8

Traditional
Korean Music
&
Musical
Instrument

Submitted by:
MICHELLE M. GUMANGAN
Justino Sevilla High School
 Anyong Hasaeyo!
I am Sim. You’re lucky that you’ve found me!
I can help you if you want to know more about the music of Korea.
Come on! Let’s enter the wonderful world of Korean Music.
Read me now!!

INTRODUCTION:
In this SIM, you will learn about:

 the prominent features of the vocal and instrumental music of Korea

 how the music of Korea reflect the different aspects of East Asian culture through
its timbre, rhythm, melody, texture and form /style;
 the different cultural and musical practices of Korea as expressed through their
feelings towards each other, to the environment, their history, and culture.

Guide Card:
South Korea has a rich oral tradition consisting of lyric folk songs, chants, myths,
legends and folk tales Korean folks songs are diverse and numerous.

P’ansori, is a lengthy narrative song that runs through several episodes. It is both
spoken and sung. Korean traditional music can be divided into 2 major categories: chong-
ak and sog-ak: music for the ruling class and for the common people. In chong-ak there are
2 different, but somewhat related meanings. In it’s broader sense, the terms refer to the
elegant musical style that was considered “right” for the Korean ruling class in terms of
Confucian philosophy, and within this broader meaning also refers to ensemble music for
men of high social status outside of the court. In chong-ak three important terms a-ak, tang-
ak, hyang-ak. Chong-ak and a-ak can be used interchangeably, in their broader sense,
referring to music for the ruling class, which includes, tang-ak, hyang-ak and Confucian
ritual music. In it’s narrower sense a-ak refers to ritual temple music, of which at present
time only one example remains, the Munmyoak. Music perform at Munmyo, the shrine
were Confucious and his disciples are honored. Tang-ak refers tosecular music of both the
Chinese Tang and Sung dynasties which was altered to become court music after it’s
introduction to Korea. Hyang-akmeans native Korean music, an example of which
Sujech’on, a piece of instrumental music often claimed to be at least 1300 years old.

Court music a subcategory of chong-ak, includes 3 types: ritual, banquet and military
music. Ritual music includes Confucian music and royal shrine music, while banquet music
is music for courtly banquet. Sujech’on is 1 of it’s best example.

Glissando and vibrato are some of the strong characteristics of Korean music. It is
referred to as its dynamic nature, not only as an expressive touch but as an essential
element of Korean tune.

Glissando in Korean music not only determines the mode but also if the music is folk
or upper class. It is the effect produced by sliding the finger rapidly up or down a string or
keyboard. In glissando, the musicality and character of the performer is felt and so it Is an
important features which makes Korean music different from other Western traditions.
Therefore, an instrument like the piano, cannot give the faintest impression of true Korean
music even if tuned to Korean interval.

Vibrato is a slight, rapid vibration of pitch that is used to add warmth and color to a
musical tone. Like the Ya-yiieh of China, the court music of Korea called the chong-ak has
two kinds. The first is the aak which is performed inside the palace and the second is
min’gan chong-ak which is performed outside. An example of a chong-ak is the Sujech’on,
an instrumental composition. It has a slow tempo and irregular meter and the main melody
is played by the piri, an oboe-type instrument made of bamboo.

Korean musical instruments:

1. Changgo -an hourglass-shaped drum; the left hand strikes the left side while the right
hand is striking the other side with a stick.
2. Haegum -a two-stringed instrument made of bamboo.
3. Komunggo - similar to the koto of Japan. This serves as the principal instrument for a
smaller group of players.
4. Kayagum - an instrument with 12 strings which is also similar to the koto of Japan and
chin of China.
5. Ching - a huge gong played by means of a padded stick.
6. Piri – similar to oboe, made of bamboo, cylindrical in shape and played by blowing.
7. Pak - is a wooden clapper shaped like a folded fan played by striking on the left palm.

Korean musical instruments are classified into:

•Chordophones or strings
•Aerophones or wind
•Idiophones or struck instruments
•Membranophones or skinned instruments

Choson, meaning Land of the Morning Calm, is the name given to Korea. Sog-ak is
the music of the common people. It is usually lively and portrays the life of ordinary people.
It is the folk music of Korea. Chong-ak hasalso a vocal form. There are three: the kasa, a long
narrative song; kagok, alyrical song; and the sijo, a short lyrical music. The sijo is the
simplest among the three and it consists of three lines per stanza. It has an irregular rhythm
and the melody is melismatic. It is usually accompanied by the changgo.
The sog-ak includes the music of the Buddhist and Shaman. It also includes the
music of farmers called nong-ak, songs for drama called p’ansori, music for a solo
instrument called sanjo and their folk song minyo. The minyo is a song of the ordinary
people which is usually in triple meter.
 Try your guts!!!!! Come on!!!!!

Activity Card:
I. Look for the word at this Word Puzzle.

H M K A Y A G U M O Z Q Q X C X Y
A L U M G L I S S A N D O J H O N
E A A N A C O S Z K H H A Z A H V
G S B E M Z M O A A T W X X N U J
U T R S Q Y O P M M U S I C G S T
M O J K K L O J T M N I O L G C I
K M I V I B R A T O M G H M O R O
C N H F V W L T K X S Z Y Q O P Z
O P G E D M X U N O P P I R I P A

1. KAYAGUM 3.HAEGUM 5. GLISSANDO 7. CHANGGO 9. MUSIC

2. MUMMYOAK 4. VIBRATO 6.PIRI 8. PAK 10. KOREA

II Enumerate the oral traditions of South Korea.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

III. Use the cellphone to decode the message

567326#68742#47#966337385!!
-288467

Assesment Card:
I. Look for the Magic Number and fill in the boxes.

-Magic Number
A. B.
1. Music for courtly banquet a.Membranophone
2. A huge gong played by means of a padded stick b.Banquet Music
3. A two-stringed plucked instrument made of bamboo c.Changgo
4 .Music Performed by Munmyo d.Munmyoak
5. An hourglass-shaped drum e.Chordophone
6. It means “Land of the Morning Calm” f.Haegum
7. Similar to the Koto of Japan and Chin of China g.Ching
8. Instrument played by plucking the strings h.Choson
9. Skinned Instruments. Kayagum j.Pak

II. Fill in the box

_______________1. The shrine where Confucious and his disciples are honored
_______________2. Music for courtly bangquet
_______________3. of the three important terms in Chong-ak category
_______________4. One of the most famous pieces of banquet music
_______________5. A lengthy narrative song that runs through several episodes

Enrichment Card:
I. Compare Korean Music to Philippine Music.

II. Give 5 Korean Musical Instrument

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Reference Card:
Perez, Vilma V.; Luna, Lilian N.; Tomas, Crisanto E.; MAPEH II
(Latest Edition); Saint Bernadette Pub. Inc.
Answers:

Activity Card
H M K A Y A G U M O Z Q Q X C X Y
A L U M G L I S S A N D O J H O N
E A A N A C O S Z K H H A Z A H V
G S B E M Z M O A A T W X X N U J
U T R S Q Y O P M M U S I C G S T
M O J K K L O J T M N I O L G C I
K M I V I B R A T O M G H M O R O
C N H F V W L T K X S Z Y Q O P Z
O P G E D M X U N O P P I R I P A

II. (In any order)

1. Lyric folk songs
2. Myths
3. Legends
4. Chants
5. Folk tales

III. KOREAN MUSIC IS WONDERFUL!! –AUTHOR

Assesment Card:
I.
915
483
267 15-Magic Number
II.
1. Munmyo
2. Banquet music
3. A-ak
4. Sujech’on
5. P’ansori

Enrichment Card:
I. (Answers may vary)

II. Any of these:

1. Changgo
2. Piri
3. Pak
4. Haegum
5. Kayagum
6.Ching
7. Komunggo