Tanso is the smallest traditional wind instrument of Korea. You can play it while holding it sideways to your mouth.
For its short length it was also called tanjok.
In the later years of the feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910) tanso was widely propagated among the people.
The instrument differs in timbre: soft and low in bass; limpid, beautiful and doleful in mean; strong, conspicuous and distinct in treble; sharp and slightly hoarse in soprano.
It is rich in power of expressiveness. It can produce plenty of vibrato, grace and microtone effects and imitate the natural sound effects including various tones of birdsong. It can represent both slow and lyric, quick and enlivening music and also can be used in accompaniment.
It is easy to carry. Like other traditional instruments, it was remade with the progress of the times, in the course of which one with a higher octave range was newly developed.
Nowadays it is widely used in solo, ensemble and concerto. In particular, it can play a leading part in a concerto with orchestra. It also takes an important share in sustaining the national features in orchestral music. Its musical tone is B flat.
Kim Wi Hyok
More From Naenara (En)
The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on December 9. Presented to the
December 11, 2025
The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on December 9. Presented to the
Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one
December 11, 2025
Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one
Associate Professor Choe Ryon, PhD, teaches at the Faculty of Korean Linguistics of Kim Il Sung University. She won the WIPO
December 11, 2025
Associate Professor Choe Ryon, PhD, teaches at the Faculty of Korean Linguistics of Kim Il Sung University. She won the WIPO
The secretary office of the premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 10 informed the
December 11, 2025
The secretary office of the premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 10 informed the
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, No Kwang Chol, minister of National
December 11, 2025
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, No Kwang Chol, minister of National
Pak Jong Chon and Jo Chun Ryong, secretaries of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jae Ryong, department
December 11, 2025
Pak Jong Chon and Jo Chun Ryong, secretaries of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jae Ryong, department
Mt Myohyang located in the northwestern part of the DPRK is one of the celebrated mountains. It is famous for its superb scenery.
December 10, 2025
Mt Myohyang located in the northwestern part of the DPRK is one of the celebrated mountains. It is famous for its superb scenery.
Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the perfect
December 10, 2025
Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the perfect
Rope-skipping is one of the Korean children's folk games that is played by skipping over a moving or fixed rope in different ways
December 10, 2025
Rope-skipping is one of the Korean children's folk games that is played by skipping over a moving or fixed rope in different ways
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of condolence to Sergei
December 10, 2025
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of condolence to Sergei
The royal jelly goods produced by the Chilgol Songdo Factory are gaining popularity among the customers. Lately the research team
December 10, 2025
The royal jelly goods produced by the Chilgol Songdo Factory are gaining popularity among the customers. Lately the research team
In December last year, when the inauguration ceremony of the Sinpho City Offshore Farm in South Hamgyong Province was held, the re
December 09, 2025
In December last year, when the inauguration ceremony of the Sinpho City Offshore Farm in South Hamgyong Province was held, the re
Agricultural workers of the Taedong Farm in Tongchang County and the Namha Farm in Pyoktong County, North Phyongan Province, have
December 09, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Taedong Farm in Tongchang County and the Namha Farm in Pyoktong County, North Phyongan Province, have
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un leads the revolution and construction by inspiring the entire population through the socialist
December 09, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un leads the revolution and construction by inspiring the entire population through the socialist
The Yakjon Farm in Sukchon County, South Phyongan Province, is facelifting itself. The first year when the programme for the rural
December 09, 2025
The Yakjon Farm in Sukchon County, South Phyongan Province, is facelifting itself. The first year when the programme for the rural
The Hamhung Grand Theatre was remodelled in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The grand theatre with a total floor space of
December 08, 2025
The Hamhung Grand Theatre was remodelled in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The grand theatre with a total floor space of
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
December 08, 2025
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
The Mindulle Paper Mill has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and plot-saving enterprise, is furnished with various
December 07, 2025
The Mindulle Paper Mill has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and plot-saving enterprise, is furnished with various
South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with
December 07, 2025
South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with
A black swan breeding base has been newly built at the Anju Duck Farm in South Phyongan Province, the DPRK. The construction of
December 07, 2025
A black swan breeding base has been newly built at the Anju Duck Farm in South Phyongan Province, the DPRK. The construction of
More Articles
