Gayageum

Gayageum is a Korean traditional stringed instrument. It was made by Woo Reuk in 6C. It is the essential Korean instrument because ancient and traditional musics were composed to be accompanied by this instrument, its history reaches back to the ancient Sila dynasty over 1000 years. Gayageum has stirred out tears and also brought a smile to Korean culture with its sympathetic sound that resonates and flows clearly.

There are many different structures and types of gayageum but the one with 12 strings are the most common.

The most common one is called Jungak Gayageum consists of body, 12 strings and ahnjok, which

resembles wild goat foot. Its body is made of paulownia wood. The area that right hand is placed on

while playing have specific names such as jwadan and hyunchim. Jungak Gayagem is played for folk

music, royal music, or poongryu music of scholars. Other types of gayageums are sanjo gayageum, 21

string gayageum, 25 string gayageum, and 18 string gayageum.