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)
Senior Party and government officials, including Kim Tok Hun and Choe Ryong Hae, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau
July 26, 2024
Senior Party and government officials, including Kim Tok Hun and Choe Ryong Hae, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau
During the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953), Kim Il Sung , then supreme commander of the Korean People’s
July 26, 2024
During the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953), Kim Il Sung , then supreme commander of the Korean People’s
Sadong Primary School in Sadong District, Pyongyang, is well-known for its extracurricular group activities. At the beginning the
July 26, 2024
Sadong Primary School in Sadong District, Pyongyang, is well-known for its extracurricular group activities. At the beginning the
The Songyo Knitwear Factory is paying primary attention to improving the quality of knitted clothes. In recent years, the factory
July 26, 2024
The Songyo Knitwear Factory is paying primary attention to improving the quality of knitted clothes. In recent years, the factory
The revolutionary will and indomitable fighting spirit of all the people are growing stronger to glorify forever the undying fame
July 26, 2024
The revolutionary will and indomitable fighting spirit of all the people are growing stronger to glorify forever the undying fame
A national children's paduk (go) contest and a national amateur paduk contest took place at the North Hwanghae Provincial
July 26, 2024
A national children's paduk (go) contest and a national amateur paduk contest took place at the North Hwanghae Provincial
A symposium on geological and biological diversity in the area of Mt Paektu took place at Samjiyon College of Technology and the
July 26, 2024
A symposium on geological and biological diversity in the area of Mt Paektu took place at Samjiyon College of Technology and the
Rajin and Sonbong pharmacies have been newly built and started their operation in Rason Municipality. The standard pharmacies have
July 26, 2024
Rajin and Sonbong pharmacies have been newly built and started their operation in Rason Municipality. The standard pharmacies have
Talks between Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Maxim Vladimirovich Ruzenkov,
July 26, 2024
Talks between Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Maxim Vladimirovich Ruzenkov,
The DPRK-Russia children's friendship camping has begun at a time when the traditional good-neighbourly relations between the two
July 26, 2024
The DPRK-Russia children's friendship camping has begun at a time when the traditional good-neighbourly relations between the two
In July Juche 103 (2014) the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery on the occasion
July 25, 2024
In July Juche 103 (2014) the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery on the occasion
Big efforts are being made in the mining industry to increase the production of minerals and nonferrous metals. The Unpha Mine has
July 25, 2024
Big efforts are being made in the mining industry to increase the production of minerals and nonferrous metals. The Unpha Mine has
Officials of ministries and national agencies, Party and power bodies and working people's organizations and youth and students
July 25, 2024
Officials of ministries and national agencies, Party and power bodies and working people's organizations and youth and students
A joint meeting of war veterans and workers and trade union members took place at the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on July
July 25, 2024
A joint meeting of war veterans and workers and trade union members took place at the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on July
Hundreds of modern houses have been built again this year at the Soksa Farm in Pongchon County, South Hwanghae Province, under the
July 25, 2024
Hundreds of modern houses have been built again this year at the Soksa Farm in Pongchon County, South Hwanghae Province, under the
The DPRK acrobats returned home by air on July 23 after taking part in the International Acrobatics Festival "Idol-2024". The
July 25, 2024
The DPRK acrobats returned home by air on July 23 after taking part in the International Acrobatics Festival "Idol-2024". The
A meeting of members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea with a war veteran was held and a performance was given on July
July 25, 2024
A meeting of members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea with a war veteran was held and a performance was given on July
The Pharmacy Institute of the Academy of Medical Sciences has produced valuable research findings conducive to the development of
July 25, 2024
The Pharmacy Institute of the Academy of Medical Sciences has produced valuable research findings conducive to the development of
The DPRK Foreign Ministry hosted a reception at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel late on July 23 in honour of Belarusian Foreign Minister
July 24, 2024
The DPRK Foreign Ministry hosted a reception at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel late on July 23 in honour of Belarusian Foreign Minister
A stamp exhibition "History of Eternal War Victory" began at the Korean Stamp Exhibition House on July 22 to celebrate the 71st
July 24, 2024
A stamp exhibition "History of Eternal War Victory" began at the Korean Stamp Exhibition House on July 22 to celebrate the 71st
More Articles
