This study aims to analyze the making technique and inheritance of traditional Korean string instruments, focusing the Sanjo Gayageum.
The Gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument handed down to us from ancient times, has historically existed...
This study aims to analyze the making technique and inheritance of traditional Korean string instruments, focusing the Sanjo Gayageum.
The Gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument handed down to us from ancient times, has historically existed as various types with shape, size, and strings.
The musical instrument making, however, has not been fully studied because it has been regarded as a field only for master craftsmen. This is why it is difficult to obtain detailed information about the making. On the other hand, as traditional Korean string instruments are improved and developed while both the supply and demand for them are increased, it is necessary to research and record the making.
In the public sector, after the 1945 liberation, musical instrument makers belonged to Yi-wang-jik-a-ak-bu had made musical instruments for the nation. In the end, as they died, there was no making for the nation. In the private sector, musicians, who originally belonged to Yi-wang-jik-a-ak-bu, and local instrument makers mainly in Jeongeup in Jeolla Province continued the making.
On the other hand, since 1971, the government has been operating the Master of Musical Instrument system, by which making techniques of masters of musical instrument, as intangible cultural assets, are managed and preserved. There have been ten masters of musical instrument up to this day. It appears that current musical instrument making techniques were handed down by the late Kim, Kwangju who was the first master of musical instrument and intangible cultural asset.
So far, however, the musical instrument making depends on personal know-how and experience of masters of musical instrument. Making techniques have been handed down orally. Therefore, it is required to systematically collect and manage records on the musical instrument making.
The general making process of traditional Korean string instruments is the following in order: Selecting materials, making parts, painting, making strings, painting symbols and decorating, assembling parts into a complete whole, and tuning. Given that materials and making techniques can affect original tones of musical instruments, it is important to follow the traditional making process.
As a material of the sounding board of traditional Korean string instruments, paulownia has traditionally been used; it is needed to select an appropriate wood and to naturally process it.
Ironing is the optimal way to preserve the nature of paulownia during the making process. Lacquering is an effective way to paint the instrument. We can find lacquered string instruments which were made approximately in the first century B.C.
The strings, made of silkworm silk, serve a fundamental role in creating tones of traditional Korean string instruments. In these days, it is necessary to develop and produce better silkworms which contain more sericin.
Attractive decorations and symbols on traditional Korean string instruments are not directly related to the sound. However, they serve as both faces of musical instruments and signs of masters of musical instrument. Sanggamgibup (inlay), Geumnihwa (painting with gold dust), Seogak (calligraphy-carving) are ways to decorate the sounding board and Jwadan (the head part of Geomungo), being officially preserved as intangible cultural assets. In this regard, we can know that traditional Korean string instruments are not only musical instruments but also great artworks which have precious values.
It is also important - regarding the careful making process of traditional Korean string instruments - to best preserve those string instruments. For the purpose, controlling humidity around them is crucial to prevent the wood and the glue from being transformed, with understanding about the natures of natural materials.
Unlike usual artworks, traditional Korean string instruments can sound as their function. Given each instrument's originality, musical instrument makers should not arbitrarily change making techniques such as selecting materials or processing. Instead, traditional Korean string instruments should be produced with the consideration on traditional making techniques and scientific investigations on them.