This thesis will compare and analyze the performance methods between the Korean and Chinese string instruments, haegeum and erhu. The historical background, structural characteristics and materials of the haegeum and erhu will be identified while the ...
This thesis will compare and analyze the performance methods between the Korean and Chinese string instruments, haegeum and erhu. The historical background, structural characteristics and materials of the haegeum and erhu will be identified while the performance method will be analyzed targeting Park Bum-hoon’s erhu concerto <향(Hyang)>is played with both instruments. Through this study, the commonalities and differences of the performance method by the structural characteristics of the two instruments were derived, focusing on the fingering method, the bowing method, and the special playing method suitable for actual performance. The results of the study are as follows:
Firstly, as a result of examining the history of the haegeum and erhu and organizing their development, the origin of these two instruments is closely related to the instrument called '奚琴'(Xi qin=haegeum) used by the Xi tribe, an ethnic minority group in ancient northern China. Although the external structure of the two instruments is similar, there is a difference in the materials that make up the instruments, so their tone is different and the notation is also different.
Secondly, as a result of examining the musical structure of the Erhu Concerto <향(Hyang)> composed by Park Bum-Hoon , it can be divided into three paragraphs, A, B, and C, depending on the flow of the melody and changes in the tempo. In each paragraph, erhu and orchestra compose a piece of music by varying, reproducing, and repeating the theme melody of ‘나는 일어나리라’(I Will Rise) in <백두산 신곡>(Baekdu Mountain Divine Comedy).
Thirdly, as a result of examining the fingering methods of haegeum and erhu, the haegeum is played by mixing the yeokan method and the gyeongan method in consideration of the pitch range and composition, and has a total of 7 positions: a♭, b♭, c′, d♭′, e♭′, f′, g′, and the corresponding fingering method are derived. There are four methods of moving the position used in the performance: movement using the first finger, movement using a comma, movement of the same fingering, and movement of the position using the preceding note. on the other hand, erhu uses the gyeongan method, reads sheet music in fixed key C, and plays with the tonic sol-fa D,E and A. In addition, the movement of the left hand to play the melodies from the low range to the high range is used in four ways: same finger with different sound, different finger with same sound, same finger with same sound and Toba.
Fourthly, as a result of examining the bowing method using the right hand, the haegeum uses the bow technique by controlling the loose horsehair with the pressure of the right hand, whereas the erhu uses the horsehair tightened but uses various bow techniques using the wrist. As for the part that shows the difference in the bowing method in the piece, when playing the chromatic descending melody with the haegeum, it is appropriate to use each bow in order to realize the clearest possible pronunciation considering the use of the left hand inverse method, and when playing with the erhu , It is appropriate to emphasize the movement of the left hand by gently playing with one up bow to one phrasing.
Fifthly, the special technique shown in the music is divided into the expression method using fingering and the expression method using the fingering method as follows. As an expression method using the fingering of the haegeum, embellishments, nonghyeon, staccato, and trill are used, and as an expression method using the bowing, staccato, double stop, and saltanto are used. On the other hand, as an expression method using the fingering of the erhu, the playing methods of ornament, pizz, vibrato and trill are used while the bowing methods include spiccato, double string, solid staccato, right hand pizz. The method of playing the same special technique with both instruments is mostly the same, but when playing the pizzicato shown in this song, it is appropriate to change the haegeum to the arco technique due to the structural limitations of the instrument.
As such, the haegeum and erhu are stringed instruments with similar structures in neighboring countries. Although the historical background and structure are similar, the materials of the instruments are different, showing differences in timbre and volume. expressions are different. This thesis focuses on the differences in the performance method when the same piece of music is played by the two different traditional instruments. It is expected that this study will help performers who play <향(hyang)> to understand the musical composition better, improve their performance and further promote cultural and artistic exchange between Korea and China through the two instruments.