Janggu

The Janggu (Korean: 장구 ) is a doubt with an hourglass-shaped drum -celled body. It is used in all styles of music of Korean music of the courtly music to shamanic ceremonies ( Muak ) with the exception of the epic songs ( Pansori ).

Design

The body is made of paulownia wood, rare clay and is painted. The design of the Janggu corresponds to Japanese hourglass Tsuzumi. The two skins are sewn to metal rings whose diameter is almost twice the body openings. The membranes are not firmly attached to the body, but are clamped together by strings according to the principle of the South Indian Idakka. The player strikes with a bamboo stick, ch'ae called, on the right side of the drum and produces a tak sound, with the heel of his left hand he produces on the left coat a kung- sound.

History

The Janggu, about which there is little historical information is, (57 BC to 935 ) as shown on a stone relief on the same period a bell from the Silla kingdom, as well as on a grave picture Goguryeo (37 BC. to 668 ). The first manuscript is delivered not before 1076, in which it is referred to as folk music instrument.

1114 was reported by twenty Janggus that should have the Chinese Song emperor the Korean Koryo court ( 918-1392 ) paid. The Janggu is often in the 6 - or 12-bar rhythm pattern ( Jangdan ) played that especially in the rural folk music ( Nongak ) is used. At the same time it is an important part of the courtly music ( Jeong- ak) and the music of the scholar class ( Pungryu ) and is used to accompany the solo instrumental suites Sanjo. The Janggu is not to be confused with the Bordered Buk drum, which is used to accompany the Pansori songs. Due to its flexible property and their mobility in complex rhythms of Janggu come today to the role of a basic monitoring tool.