Korean Folk Music: The Best Instrumentals
Contents
Korean folk music is some of the most beautiful and moving in the world. These instrumentals are some of the best examples of the genre.
Introduction to Korean Folk Music
Korean folk music has been passed down from generation to generation and has been an important part of Korean culture for centuries. The best way to experience Korean folk music is to see it performed live, but if you can’t make it to Korea, the next best thing is to listen to recordings of traditional Korean folk songs.
The following is a list of the best instrumentals of traditional Korean folk music. These songs are sure to give you a taste of Korea’s rich musical heritage.
1. “Arirang”
2. “Gukak”
3. “Nongak”
4. “Sanjo”
5. “Puri”
6. “Jeongganbo”
7. “Cheonyeoobjori”
8. “Heungbogeumnyeo”
The Best Instrumentals of Korean Folk Music
Korean folk music is full of beautiful instrumentals that can transport you to another world. From the haunting strains of the gayageum to the energetic rhythms of the janggu, Korean folk music contains a wealth of musical treasures. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best instrumentals of Korean folk music.
Samul nori
Samul nori (사물놀이) is a genre of Korean folk music that is performed using four traditional Korean musical instruments: the janggu (장구, a hourglass-shaped drum), the buk (북, a barrel drum), the jing (징, a gong), and the kkwaenggwari (꽹과리, a small gong). Samul nori literally means “four objects play”, and is sometimes also known as pungmul (풍물, “wind and instruments”).
The music is characterized by its fast tempo and energetic rhythm, and is often performed outdoors as part of traditional Korean festivals. Samul nori has its roots in the folk music of rural farmers, but has become increasingly popular in recent years and is now performed by professional musicians all over Korea.
The most important part of samul nori is the janggu, which sets the rhythm for the other instruments. The janggu is usually played by the lead musician, who also serves as the conductor for the group. The other instruments follow the janggu’s lead, with each musician playing their own unique part.
Samul nori performance traditionally began with a slow and ceremonial introduction called yeonjae (연재), during which each musician would enter the stage one at a time. The yeonjae would then give way to the faster and more energetic main body of the performance, called jeolgeum (절금). Jeolgeum was typically divided into three parts: gaeshi (개시), jojeol (조절), and daechwita (대취타). Gaeshi was the introductory section where each instrument would play its own solo; jojeol was the transitional section where all four instruments would come together to create a more complex rhythm; and daechwita was the final section where all four instruments would play together in harmony.
Today, samul nori performances often include both traditional pieces as well as more modern compositions. Many ensembles have also incorporated other Korean instruments such as the gayageum (가야금) or haegum(해금) into their performances.
Pansori
Pansori is a type of Korean folk music that is traditionally sung by a single singer, accompanied by a drummer. The music is highly emotive and often tells stories of love, loss, and betrayal. Pansori instrumentals are some of the most beautiful and moving pieces of Korean music.
Sanjo
Sanjo is a Korean folk music genre typically performed by a solo instrumentalist, accompanied by one or two percussionists playing janggu, jeolgo, buk, or sometimes gongs. The melodic line is often improvised within a set of fixed melodic modes derived from Chinese scale theory. Sanjo is traditionally played on the gayageum (12-string zither), geomungo (6-string zither), haegeum (2-string fiddle), ajaeng (7-string zither), daegeum (large bamboo transverse flute), sogeum (small bamboo transverse flute), piri (conical oboe), or saenghwang (mouth organ). The tempo is fast and the pieces are usually very virtuosic.
Sanjo was first popularized in the late Joseon period by Shin Jae-hyo and his student Jeong Beom-jin. Sanjo pieces were originally played as part of a larger traditional Korean music ensemble, but by the early 20th century they had come to be performed as solo pieces. Sanjo has been further popularized in recent years by modern performers such as Kim Suk-chun, Hwang Byungki, Park Jiha, and Woo Myeong-geun.
Jeongak
Jeongak is a genre of Korean traditional music that is designed to be performed by a single musician or a small group. The instruments used in jeongak are typically drums, gongs, and wind instruments. The music is fast-paced and lively, making it perfect for dancing.
The Influence of Korean Folk Music
Korean folk music has been around for centuries, and it has had a significant influence on the music of Korea. Korean folk music is known for its beautiful melodies and intricate rhythms. It is often said that Korean folk music is the soul of the Korean people.
In popular culture
Since the late 20th century, traditional Korean music has been enjoying a renaissance in popular culture. Koreatowns around the world offer a variety of Korean musical performances and there are many K-pop bands that perform traditional instruments such as the gayageum and haegum.
In film
One of the most significant aspects in which Korean folk music has had an impact is in film. Several memorable film scores have been created that feature traditional Korean instruments and melodies, with some going on to achieve widespread popularity. For example, the score for the 2003 film “Memories of Tomorrow” prominently features the gayageum, while the 2005 Oscar-nominated film “The Story of Federation” features a stirring rendition of the folk song “Arirang” performed on the piri, taepyeongso and gayageum.
In video games
One of the most popular examples of Korean folk music in video games comes from the massively popular action-RPG series, Diablo. In the game, players take on the role of a hero fighting their way through hordes of demons in order to save the world from destruction. Diablo III, released in 2012, featured an updated version of the main theme song, titled “Seven-Sided Strike”. The original composition was written by Matt Uelmen and featured traditional Korean instruments such as the gayageum and daegeum.
