Gayageum

The gayageum or kayagum (Korean: 가야금; Hanja: 伽倻琴) is a traditional Korean musical instrument. It is a plucked zither with 12 strings, though some more recent variants have 18, 21, or 25 strings. It is probably the best-known traditional Korean musical instrument.

This audio features the song "Jajinmori" performed by Yeon Ji-Eun from Choi Ok-Sam School's album. Yeon Ji-Eun is a talented gayageum musician who is now actively working in various fields to promote folk music. Choi Ok-Sam School Sanjo is well known for its masculine aesthetics and profound melodies that give deep feelings.

Gayageum Transcription

Welcome to episode 2 of Minji's World Podcast. In today's episode, we're exploring the gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument that has been enchanting audiences for thousands of years. Experience the captivating sounds of the gayageum as it takes you on a cultural and timeless journey.

The gayageum’s origins date back to the 6th century during the Gaya confederacy. According to historical accounts, King Gasil of Gaya created the instrument, drawing inspiration from a Chinese zither-like instrument called the guzheng. He wanted an instrument that could reflect the sounds of Gaya's natural surroundings and spiritual essence. The gayageum spread to other Korean kingdoms, including Silla and Baekje, becoming integral to Korean court and folk music traditions.

Traditionally, the gayageum had 12 strings, made from twisted silk. Over time, variations with up to 25 strings emerged, using materials such as nylon for enhanced durability and sound projection. This evolution allowed the instrument to adapt to different musical contexts while preserving its distinctive timbre.

Playing the gayageum involves a combination of delicate finger techniques and precise hand movements. The musician sits on the floor with the instrument laid horizontally across their lap. The right hand plucks the strings using the thumb and fingers, while the left hand presses down on the strings to alter the pitch and create vibrato. This technique enables a wide range of expressive sounds, from gentle, flowing melodies to sharp, dynamic rhythms.

The right hand's plucking can vary in intensity, from soft and light to strong and forceful, depending on the desired emotional effect. The left hand's manipulation of the strings is crucial for creating the signature bends and slides characteristic of gayageum music. This interplay between the hands allows the performer to convey deep emotional nuances and intricate musical phrases.

Gayageum sanjo is one of the most prominent forms of gayageum music. Emerging in the late 19th century, Sanjo, meaning "scattered melodies," is a highly improvisational genre that showcases the performer's technical prowess and emotional expressiveness. It typically begins with slow, meditative passages, gradually building up to faster, more complex sections. This progression allows the musician to demonstrate a wide array of techniques and styles within a single performance.

In contemporary times, the gayageum has seen a resurgence in popularity, both in Korea and globally. Its unique sound and cultural significance have captivated modern musicians and audiences.

Educational institutions and cultural organizations in Korea actively promote the gayageum, ensuring that new generations of musicians continue to learn and appreciate this traditional instrument.

The gayageum is more than just a musical instrument. It is a symbol of Korean cultural heritage and artistic expression. Its rich history, intricate playing method, and captivating music have ensured its enduring appeal. In the modern era, the gayageum continues to inspire and enchant audiences worldwide, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation.

Thank you for listening to this podcast, and we’ll see you next episode!

Gayageum - Sources and Credits

Artist Spotlight: Sublime Frequencies' Scattered Melodies: Korean Kayagum Sanjo From 78RPM Records

Sublime Frequencies releases their first 78rpm compilations, and true to form these are sounds rarely heard by contemporary Western ears. These 2 albums (SF077/SF078) are compiled by Robert Millis, a long time Sublime Frequencies contributor and a founding member of Climax Golden Twins, He is the author of Victrola Favorites: Artifacts from Bygone Days (Dust-to-Digital 2008), a book of historic early recording documentation, ephemera and music drawn from Millis' 78rpm collection. In 2011, he produced and helped design "I Listen to the Wind that Obliterates My Traces" (Dust-to-Digital), a similar book drawn from the collection of artist Steve Roden. In addition to composition, sound art practice and design, he has filmed and produced experimental documentaries on Asian music: "Phi Ta Khon: Ghosts of Isan" and "This World is Unreal like a Snake in a Rope" (both for Sublime Frequencies DVD release) and is an obsessive collector of 78rpm music records and ephemera.

Scattered Melodies (SF077) is a compilation of Korean Kayagum Sanjo Music. Sanjo, meaning "scattered melodies," is a form of stylized string improvisation developed in the 1890s originally for the Korean kayagum, a smaller distant cousin of the Japanese koto. Stark and haunting, falling in the gaps between folk and classical music, kayagum sanjo employs a gradually increasing tempo, focused improvisation (the “scattering of melodies”), elastic rhythms, and intense snaps and vibrato that seem to power through the hazy abstractions of the 78rpm recording technology (these are old, exceedingly rare records that have survived nearly insurmountable odds: invasion, occupation, war, division.) Presented here are a few of the masters of sanjo as it originally emerged in the early part of the 20th century on 78rpm recordings from 1925 to the early 1950s.

credits

released January 7, 2013

Kim Hae Sun recorded c. 1925

Jung Nam Hee (1905-84) recorded c. 1934

An Ki-Ok (1905-1968) recorded c. 1950s

Shim Sang-Gun (1889-1965) recorded c. 1930s

Kim Chong-Ki (1904-1938) recorded c. 1936

Source: https://sublime-frequencies.bandcamp.com/album/scattered-melodies-korean-kayagum-sanjo-from-78rpm-records

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