Haegum is one of the traditional Korean musical instruments that was made in the period of ancient Joson (early 30th century BC-108 BC).
The instrument was widely played by both ordinary people and musicians at royal court during the Koryo dynasty (918-1392) and the feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910).
In particular, by the latter half of the feudal Joson dynasty, it became an indispensable instrument for a folk band.
The original version of haegum consisted of a sound box and a two-stringed finger board, with a bamboo peg moved along between the two strings to make a sound.
The contemporary instrument was so specific, delicate and expressive as to imitate human voices and wails, and sounds of animals.
Today haegum has been modified to meet the needs of modern music with four strings instead of two. It is divided into small-, medium- and large-sized ones and the lowest-pitched one.
With louder volume and wider pitch range, the modified instrument plays an important role in the mixed orchestra, and it is widely played for a solo.
Kim Hyon
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