May 11, 2026May 11, 2026
KCNA Naenara (En)

National Musical Heritage: 12-chae Peasant Music Tuning

Date: 09/10/2024 | Source: Naenara (En) | Read original version at source

Among the heritage of the Korean folk music is 12-chae peasant music tuning.

The 12-chae tuning unique to peasant music is performed with national percussion instruments like kkoenggwari (small gong), jing (gong), janggo (hourglass drum) and drum. Chae means tune.

Tuning qualities are determined by jing chime. In other words, the level of tuning is decided by the number of jing chimes.

Tuning can be duly made when kkoenggwari , jing , drum , janggo and other instruments are played in good harmony.

The tuning notes are related with dance representation as they were completed as a means for accompanying peasant dance.

The tuning performance is made merely with particular signal, gesture, winking or nodding, without musical notes. The tone and rhythm are instantaneously synchronized to go well with tuning. Even when hundreds of people from different groups play together in a peasant music contest, they can achieve a wonderful ensemble without producing any dissonant tone.

For its representational features the 12- chae peasant music tuning is unique to the Korean nation. It also produces irresistibly passionate feelings and pleasure to draw the audience to dance.

The tuning with a long historical tradition is carried forward as a precious folk heritage item of the Korean nation.

Kim Son Yong, PhD, associate professor and researcher of the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences

More From Naenara (En)

Biggest Asset

Biggest Asset

One day in July 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un convened the 22nd emergency enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of

May 11, 2026

One day in July 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un convened the 22nd emergency enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of

Leading Rolling Stock Producer

Leading Rolling Stock Producer

Established on November 10, 1945, the Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Complex is a leading rolling stock producer and a parent

May 11, 2026

Established on November 10, 1945, the Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Complex is a leading rolling stock producer and a parent

Eighth Congress of SWUK to Be Convened

Eighth Congress of SWUK to Be Convened

The Eighth Congress of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea is to be held in Pyongyang in mid-July 2026. The 15th Plenary

May 10, 2026

The Eighth Congress of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea is to be held in Pyongyang in mid-July 2026. The 15th Plenary

County Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory Remodelled

County Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory Remodelled

The Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factory has been remodelled in Jangphung County, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK. Its

May 10, 2026

The Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factory has been remodelled in Jangphung County, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK. Its

DPRK Advances into Quarterfinals of 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup

DPRK Advances into Quarterfinals of 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup

The 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup is under way in China.The DPRK team belonging to Group C beat the Chinese Taipei team 10-0 and

May 10, 2026

The 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup is under way in China.The DPRK team belonging to Group C beat the Chinese Taipei team 10-0 and

App Expected to Improve Road Weather Service

App Expected to Improve Road Weather Service

The State Hydro-meteorological Administration has released a road version of the weather information app Nalssi . This system

May 10, 2026

The State Hydro-meteorological Administration has released a road version of the weather information app Nalssi . This system

New District Boasts Fresh Architectural Style and Modernity

New District Boasts Fresh Architectural Style and Modernity

Inaugurated in February, the 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area form another large architectural group which is

May 10, 2026

Inaugurated in February, the 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area form another large architectural group which is

Landmark Structures Should Be Built

Landmark Structures Should Be Built

One day in April 2025, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the near-to-inauguration third-stage district in the Hwasong area

May 09, 2026

One day in April 2025, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the near-to-inauguration third-stage district in the Hwasong area

Japan Not to Evade Responsibility for Sexual Slavery

Japan Not to Evade Responsibility for Sexual Slavery

Recently, UN human rights pundits expressed deep concern over the Japanese authorities’ move to strip the “comfort women” of

May 09, 2026

Recently, UN human rights pundits expressed deep concern over the Japanese authorities’ move to strip the “comfort women” of

Nation Channels Steady Efforts into Protection of Migratory Birds

Nation Channels Steady Efforts into Protection of Migratory Birds

May 9 is World Migratory Birds Day. Migratory birds fly through different countries and regions according to seasons, and they are

May 09, 2026

May 9 is World Migratory Birds Day. Migratory birds fly through different countries and regions according to seasons, and they are

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Greetings to Russian President

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Greetings to Russian President

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a message of greeting to Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian

May 09, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a message of greeting to Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian

Group of Young Koreans in China Visits Mangyongdae

Group of Young Koreans in China Visits Mangyongdae

A congratulatory group of the Association of Young Korean Nationals in China led by Chairwoman Kim Song Mi visited Mangyongdae, a

May 08, 2026

A congratulatory group of the Association of Young Korean Nationals in China led by Chairwoman Kim Song Mi visited Mangyongdae, a

Aesthetic Symposium in Field of Land and Environment Protection Held

Aesthetic Symposium in Field of Land and Environment Protection Held

The spring aesthetic symposium in the field of land and environment protection-2026 took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in the DPRK

May 08, 2026

The spring aesthetic symposium in the field of land and environment protection-2026 took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in the DPRK

Workers of Sangwon

Workers of Sangwon

The workers of the Sangwon Cement Complex are speeding up their advance towards the implementation of the new five-year plan set

May 08, 2026

The workers of the Sangwon Cement Complex are speeding up their advance towards the implementation of the new five-year plan set

National Children’s Football Tournament Opens

National Children’s Football Tournament Opens

The Eleventh National Children’s Football Tournament opened with due ceremony at the Hamhung Stadium in the DPRK on May 6 to mark

May 08, 2026

The Eleventh National Children’s Football Tournament opened with due ceremony at the Hamhung Stadium in the DPRK on May 6 to mark

RC Movement Makes Headway

RC Movement Makes Headway

The international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is making headway around the world with dynamic activities launched to keep

May 08, 2026

The international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is making headway around the world with dynamic activities launched to keep

More Beautifully, More Fragrantly

More Beautifully, More Fragrantly

Flower Festival-2026 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House in the capital city of Pyongyang in April. With the theme of “More

May 07, 2026

Flower Festival-2026 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House in the capital city of Pyongyang in April. With the theme of “More

Natural Monument—Riwon Pebbles

Natural Monument—Riwon Pebbles

Riwon pebbles are distributed on the shore of the East Sea of Korea in the Rahung Workers’ District, Riwon County, South Hamgyong

May 07, 2026

Riwon pebbles are distributed on the shore of the East Sea of Korea in the Rahung Workers’ District, Riwon County, South Hamgyong

More Articles