The Korean people have made fine folk musical instruments for a long period of time, contributing to the development of music and dance of humans.
Among them is yanggum , or Korean zither that is played by striking or plucking its strings.
Yanggum dates back to the 18th century in Korea.
At first it was very small. It had wires stretched along a square wooden box and mounted on bridges. With the body held up in the left hand, it was played by striking a string with a beater made of bamboo in the right hand.
The wire strings produced clear, plaintive and unique tunes, but they had some shortcomings such as narrow pitch range, poor resonance, random persistence of reverberation and lack of free modulation.
In the 1960s yanggum underwent improvement, overcoming the shortcomings and gaining popularity as one of the folk instruments.
It is mostly made from spruce, Aceraceae meno and Acer triflorum .
The sound box consists of the front plate, back plate, front rim plate, back rim plate, middle rim plate, peg plate and wire pin plate.
When the instrument is played, a newly installed device prevents the sound from resonating unnecessarily longer.
The present yanggum ’s pitch range is wider than that of the previous one. The bridges are made of cast brass and the tones are adjusted with pegs.
The beater is made of elastic bamboo, with its tip attached with pressed wool.
The method of making yanggum has been put on the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
Jo Il Gyong, head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the Korean National Heritage Preservation Agency
More From Naenara (En)
The DPRK reliably guarantees the people-oriented politics of the socialist state by adopting laws, regulations and rules in a
December 27, 2025
The DPRK reliably guarantees the people-oriented politics of the socialist state by adopting laws, regulations and rules in a
Do people like it? This was what Chairman Kim Jong Il always asked during his inspection tours. On December 3, 2006, he visited
December 27, 2025
Do people like it? This was what Chairman Kim Jong Il always asked during his inspection tours. On December 3, 2006, he visited
The Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea stressed that a massive construction
December 27, 2025
The Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea stressed that a massive construction
As the Workers’ Party of Korea’s programme for effecting a rural revolution in the new era proceeds in earnest, a nationwide
December 27, 2025
As the Workers’ Party of Korea’s programme for effecting a rural revolution in the new era proceeds in earnest, a nationwide
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission
December 26, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission
The following happened when some officials planned the number of the flats to be built in the fourth-stage housing construction in
December 26, 2025
The following happened when some officials planned the number of the flats to be built in the fourth-stage housing construction in
In the DPRK where education is regarded as the foremost state affair, all the people are entitled to learn and provided with
December 26, 2025
In the DPRK where education is regarded as the foremost state affair, all the people are entitled to learn and provided with
Under the care of the Workers’ Party of Korea, modern houses were built at the Tongsan Industrial Crop Farm under the North
December 26, 2025
Under the care of the Workers’ Party of Korea, modern houses were built at the Tongsan Industrial Crop Farm under the North
There is a provincial aviation club in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province. The club has a general training ground, model aircraft
December 26, 2025
There is a provincial aviation club in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province. The club has a general training ground, model aircraft
There is a provincial old people’s home in Phyongwon County, South Phyongan Province. The two-storey building with the
December 26, 2025
There is a provincial old people’s home in Phyongwon County, South Phyongan Province. The two-storey building with the
The residents in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK, greeted an auspicious day to be specially recorded in the
December 25, 2025
The residents in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK, greeted an auspicious day to be specially recorded in the
When the people across the country enjoy a highly civilized life under socialism, new houses have been built at the Wonum and
December 25, 2025
When the people across the country enjoy a highly civilized life under socialism, new houses have been built at the Wonum and
Son Jong Hyok and Son Il Hyok are amateur craftsmen. The twins are workers living in Chollima District of Nampho Municipality.
December 25, 2025
Son Jong Hyok and Son Il Hyok are amateur craftsmen. The twins are workers living in Chollima District of Nampho Municipality.
Paduk (go) is widely encouraged and promoted in the DPRK. The Korean Paduk Association takes charge of the work to promote paduk
December 25, 2025
Paduk (go) is widely encouraged and promoted in the DPRK. The Korean Paduk Association takes charge of the work to promote paduk
One day in August 2018, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited an airbase in the Jungphyong area in the northeastern part of
December 25, 2025
One day in August 2018, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited an airbase in the Jungphyong area in the northeastern part of
Some time ago all the students of a class of Pyongyang University of Computer Technology won the University Student Scientific
December 25, 2025
Some time ago all the students of a class of Pyongyang University of Computer Technology won the University Student Scientific
The bald cypress in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province, is known to be planted in the early 1930s. It grows about 10-80
December 25, 2025
The bald cypress in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province, is known to be planted in the early 1930s. It grows about 10-80
Many rural communities in the DPRK are pushing ahead with the preparations for raising fish in paddy fields on a large scale next
December 24, 2025
Many rural communities in the DPRK are pushing ahead with the preparations for raising fish in paddy fields on a large scale next
The Taean Friendship Glass Factory has newly established a light-reflective glass ball production line. This kind of glass ball is
December 24, 2025
The Taean Friendship Glass Factory has newly established a light-reflective glass ball production line. This kind of glass ball is
A permanent magnet synchronous motor for elevator has recently been developed by researchers at Kim Chaek University of
December 24, 2025
A permanent magnet synchronous motor for elevator has recently been developed by researchers at Kim Chaek University of
More Articles
