Gayageum

A gayageum is a traditional Korean zitherlike string instrument with 12 strings. It is probably the most well-known traditional Korean musical instrument. Its wooden board is made of Odong Namu (a Paulownia wood) and Anjok (the bridge), which are in the shape of the foot of a wild goose and supports the 12 strings.

The gayageum was originally believed to have been made by King Gashil of the Gaya confederacy (circa 6th century) and then developed by Wu Ruk in the time of King of Jinhung in the Silla dynasty. However according to CCAIS (2005), excavations in the Kwangsan area of Jeolla-namdo Province have revealed fragments of a gayageum dating from the 1st century BC.

The gayageum was traditionally made from silk strings. Today, people use nylon strings and steel strings. Copper strings are becoming more popular, as they produce a louder sound.

To play the gayageum, the fingers of the left hand presses on the strings and finger movements can be made by various types of movements such as shaking (vibrato), bending, and vibrating the strings. The right hand is used in plucking the strings. The sound of the gayageum is soft and delicate.

chinese translation | japanese translation | korean translation