traditional korean instruments
Kayagum
Kayagum (fillip instrument) is one of the most representative national instrument of Korea. It was invented by Uruk, over a
thousand years ago, (6th century A.D). He was born in the "Kaya Era" and successfully made himself a talented musician
and a famous composer.
Yanggeum
Yanggeum is a percussion string instrument which is sounded by Chae, (bamboo-made,thin plectra). The name
"Yanggeum" means Western Harp. This kind of instrument is spread threw out the world as a traditional national
instrument and was introduced into the professional music of circles of Korea in the 18th century.
Tanso
Tanso is made up of 2 words. "Tan means short and "so" is another word for wind instrument. Tanso is the
most popular Korean wind instrument together with other "so" (wind instruments) ,Tangso (Korean flute). In the
past it was made of bamboo, but now it is made of synthetic resin a result of several innovations.
Choktae
In Korean "so" is also another name for a recorder among no-reed instruments, in the wood wind section, while
a flute is called a "Cho". Choktae (Korean flute) has 6 holes for sound and one more as a half tone device. There
are 3 kinds of Chotae- Tae Ham (big flute), Chung Ham (middle flute and So Ham (small flute). All of these
instruments are called "Sam Chuk" ( three wind instruments of bamboo) and are loved my Korean people.
Piri
Among double-reed recorders in the traditional Korean musical instruments, the Senap and Piri are the most popular
brass wind instruments. According to the history behind the Piri and Senap it shows that, the Piri came before the Senap
and was loved by the Korean people in the Christian era.
traditional chinese instruments
Guzheng 古箏 — a Chinese Zither
The guzheng (a kind of Chinese zither) was the most popular instrument in China in ancient and medieval times. It has
more than 2,500 years of history. There are 21–26 strings on the modern guzheng. The length of a traditional Chinse
guzheng is 1.63 meters (5’4”).
Erhu 二胡 — the Chinese Violin
The erhu is a two-string, violin-like instrument that is played with a bow like a violin bow. It is also known as the
Chinese violin in the Western world. Erhus are often played in Chinese opera performances and traditional
orchestras.
Dizi 笛子 — a Chinese Transverse Flute
The dizi or hengdi is another popular Chinese musical instrument. It is a kind of Chinese transverse flute that is often
played in Chinese folk music or opera. Dizis generally have six or more finger holes. One hole is covered with paper so
that the flute has a peculiar buzzing sound that people like.
Pipa 琵琶 — the Chinese Lute or Chinese Guitar
The pipa is a traditional Chinese musical instrument with four strings. The instrument has a pear-shaped wooden body
with frets like those on a guitar. The number of frets ranges from 12 to 26.
Guqin 古琴 — Chinese Seven-String Instrument
The guqin is one of the oldest plucked instruments in China. It is also called the qixianqin or ‘seven-stringed
zither’ ( 七弦琴 ), as it has seven strings. The guqin’s main part is a long, narrow wooden soundbox.
traditional japanese instruments
Koto ( 箏 )
Koto is a Japanese harp and has a long history. It was originally invented in China and later introduced in
Japan during the 7th or 8th century. A traditional koto consists of a long wooden main body with thirteen
strings attached to it.
Shamisen ( 三味線 )
Shamisen is probably one of the most famous traditional Japanese instruments. Some believe that the shamisen was
originally invented in China and called sangen ( 三弦 ). During the late 14th or early 15th century it was introduced from
China to Okinawa Prefecture, and local people started calling it sanshin ( 三線 ).
Biwa ( 琵琶 )
Biwa is a Japanese short-necked lute which has been played for centuries, not only in Japan but in other Asian countries as
well. It is believed that the origin of the biwa can be found in ancient China and that it spread through Asia, including
Japan, during the Nara period (710 -794).
Taiko ( 太鼓 )
Taiko is a traditional Japanese drum with a long history dating back to the Jomon period (14,000 – 300 B.C). Some historic
records show that taiko were used not only as a musical instrument, but also as a way of communication.
Kokyu ( 胡弓 )
Kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument which is played using a bow, and the shape looks very much like
the shamisen. The kokyu is known as the only traditional Japanese musical instrument which is played using a bow rather
than fingers, fingerpicks or plectrum.
