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| Samulnori, an Exciting Combination of Traditional Percussion |
| Samulnori is based on Pungmul, one of the Korean traditional games, and it is created for people to perform on a stage. |
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"Pungmul" consists of "Kkwangari" a small gong, "Jing" a big gong, and "Buk" a drum, and horn instruments usually accompany this. Also, "Pungmul" means a form of which dancing, singing, music, and play is mixed together. The origin of "Pungmul" is everything that makes a sound from pre-historic age. The whole village usually performed this traditional play on New Year's Day or at Chuseok.
From Outdoor Music to Indoor Music
Samulnori is a percussion ensemble played only by Kkwangari, Jing, Janggo, and Buk, which originated and developed from "Pungmul". Despite the fact that Pungmul was usually performed outdoor, Samulnori has become indoor music as it was developed with its own format. It is called, "Samulnori" because it consists of four objects, namely four instruments.
Each of these four instruments has its own meaning, and as such, Kkwanggari, Janggu, Buk, and Jing represent star, human, moon, and sun respectively. In addition, the sound of each instrument can be compared with lightning, rain, cloud, and wind. Kkwanggari means 365 days, Jing means 1 year, Buk symbolizes 4 seasons, and Janggu implies 12 months.
The Harmony of Four Instruments
Kkwanggari are made of brass, and its diameter usually ranges around 20 ~ 25cm and 3.5~4cm in height. As a leading instrument among the four, it chooses and controls rhythm, speed, and movements. The Jing is also made of brass, its diameter is 36cm, and its height is 10cm, and the thickness is 3mm. This instrument provides beats and supports other instruments. It makes a roaring sound, and such that it embraces the atmosphere of performance. Buk is the oldest instrument and often used in ceremonies as well during times of war. This Buk in Samulnori is carved out from either an empress tree or poplar, and threads connect leathers of each end. The diameter is about 60cm, and width is 30cm.
Janggo's left side produces a thick and low sound as it is made of cowhide or deer skin, whereas its right side makes a light and high sound as it is made of horse or dog skin. This is a basic instrument for the Korean traditional music beginners, and Janggo alone makes a perfect instrument for rhythm practice.
Samulnori, the World's Music
Samulnori has gained international popularity as it continues to deliver superb Korean music throughout the world. Not only does Samulnori express the rhythm of percussion, but more importantly it is based on the principle of "excitement and relaxation" and "harmony of music notesˇ±.
It is the mystery of Samulnori that when the beats get slow, it becomes extremely slow, and when it reaches the end, the play gets incredibly fast. This slow and fast rhythm of Samulnori is due to the Korean music principle, "excitement and relaxation".
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| 19-07-2001 |
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