Phiri (a Korean flute) is a national musical instrument that the Korean people have widely used from the primitive ages.
Though simple in form, its tone colour is clear.
The relic of phiri made with animal’s bone and unearthed in the cultural layer of the Bronze Age in Sophohang in the city of Rason, recognized as one from 3 000 BC, shows that the Korean nation used wind instruments from the early times.
In the primitive and ancient times, they made phiri with bird’s leg bone and bark of peach tree and in the Middle Ages, with bamboo and reed.
In the period of Koryo (918–1392), phiri was widely disseminated as a famous instrument among people of all walks of life, including peasants, fishermen, cow herds and even scholars.
In the period of feudal Joson dynasty (1392–1910), the folk music became richer in its kinds and forms, but phiri kept its leading position in musical presentation and sustained the lyrical colour not only in instrumental ensemble but also in accompaniment for folk dances including sword dance and mask dance and folk dramas including puppet performance.
Phiri underwent modernization after the liberation of the country on August 15, 1945 thanks to the policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea on developing national musical instruments in keeping with the demands of the modern times.
Thus, phiri with different musical ranges was developed, including as sophiri (small phiri ), taephiri (big phiri ), joumphiri (bass phiri ), etc.
And these instruments became clearer and softer in their sounds, and as they have 12 temperaments, they can play any kind of music.
As an alto and bass instrument, taephiri is used in playing an ensemble, orchestral music and solo. Joumphiri is used as an important bass instrument in playing orchestral music.
Today phiri is widely used in the cultural and emotional life of the Korean people.
More From Naenara (En)
The Anti-Japanese People’s Guerrilla Army (AJPGA) was founded on April 25, 1932. Later, it was reorganized into the Korean
April 25, 2024
The Anti-Japanese People’s Guerrilla Army (AJPGA) was founded on April 25, 1932. Later, it was reorganized into the Korean
Kwon Jong Rim, Merited Scientist, PhD and associate professor, has a career of over six decades at the Central Geological
April 25, 2024
Kwon Jong Rim, Merited Scientist, PhD and associate professor, has a career of over six decades at the Central Geological
Rural housing construction is gaining momentum in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea which has adopted the revitalization
April 25, 2024
Rural housing construction is gaining momentum in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea which has adopted the revitalization
Im Chon Il, vice minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in charge of Russian affairs, released
April 24, 2024
Im Chon Il, vice minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in charge of Russian affairs, released
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued the following press
April 24, 2024
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued the following press
The chief of the Foreign News Section of the Department of Press and Information of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic
April 24, 2024
The chief of the Foreign News Section of the Department of Press and Information of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic
Kim Chaek University of Technology boasts many researchers who have distinguished themselves in the efforts to help boost the
April 24, 2024
Kim Chaek University of Technology boasts many researchers who have distinguished themselves in the efforts to help boost the
President Kim Il Sung wrote in his reminiscences With the Century : “The thought of ‘Aim High,’ being prepared for the three
April 24, 2024
President Kim Il Sung wrote in his reminiscences With the Century : “The thought of ‘Aim High,’ being prepared for the three
The 2024 Asian wrestling Olympic qualification tournament took place in Kyrgyzstan from April 19 to 21. Choe Hyo Gyong, Mun Hyon
April 24, 2024
The 2024 Asian wrestling Olympic qualification tournament took place in Kyrgyzstan from April 19 to 21. Choe Hyo Gyong, Mun Hyon
New dwelling houses were built in the villages of the Sangi Industrial Crops Farm of Kujang County, North Phyongan Province of the
April 24, 2024
New dwelling houses were built in the villages of the Sangi Industrial Crops Farm of Kujang County, North Phyongan Province of the
The General Pharmacy of the Moranbong District Medical Supplies Management Station in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic
April 23, 2024
The General Pharmacy of the Moranbong District Medical Supplies Management Station in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic
Last year, a teacher set a good example in education across the country by coming up with a new approach based on ideas and
April 23, 2024
Last year, a teacher set a good example in education across the country by coming up with a new approach based on ideas and
The 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival is going on in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea amid the great interest
April 23, 2024
The 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival is going on in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea amid the great interest
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un has developed the Korean People’s Army into revolutionary armed forces fully prepared
April 23, 2024
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un has developed the Korean People’s Army into revolutionary armed forces fully prepared
A splendid appearance of the socialist cultural village spread at the Unjong Livestock Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural
April 23, 2024
A splendid appearance of the socialist cultural village spread at the Unjong Livestock Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural
A fairyland-like village has been built at the Pobu Farm in the city of Kaechon, South Phyongan Province. The new scene of the
April 22, 2024
A fairyland-like village has been built at the Pobu Farm in the city of Kaechon, South Phyongan Province. The new scene of the
The Munsu Ponghwa Garment Factory is saving a lot of electricity thanks to the ongoing technical innovation campaign. In the past,
April 22, 2024
The Munsu Ponghwa Garment Factory is saving a lot of electricity thanks to the ongoing technical innovation campaign. In the past,
The 37th National Sci-Tech Festival is to be held at the Sci-Tech Complex from April 26. The festival on the theme of
April 22, 2024
The 37th National Sci-Tech Festival is to be held at the Sci-Tech Complex from April 26. The festival on the theme of
“What is most impressive in this camping was the time when I skied down the slope like an arrow from the summit of Taehwa Peak of
April 22, 2024
“What is most impressive in this camping was the time when I skied down the slope like an arrow from the summit of Taehwa Peak of
A delegation of the Agricultural Commission led by Ri Chol Man, vice-premier and concurrently chairman of the Agricultural
April 22, 2024
A delegation of the Agricultural Commission led by Ri Chol Man, vice-premier and concurrently chairman of the Agricultural
More Articles
