Korean Job Discussion Forums

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

IS there anyone out there whose got their greasy waygookin' mitts on some traditional korean/chinese/japanese instruments while out here?
I did
Back in 98' i saw this feller playing an Er-hu (hae-geum in korea), the chinese violin and thought that i'd want to play that. Well, on her trip to china, my wife GOT one for me. What a super lady!.

However, since my background in bow instruments is...well, nothing, i'm having a HAle of a time trying to get all this stuff down pat.

I'm just curious if anyone out there has picked anything up?

wanna start a band?

kermo

tomato · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject:

I purchased a ��߱� (12-string zither).
I have learned it well enough to play simple melodies.
I would like to learn to play it better, but I can't find a teacher here in Suweon.

At harvest festivals, I help children play instruments at the kayageum exhibit. That always attracts a few onlookers.

A couple of years ago, at a harvest festival, I purchased a small traverse flute called a �ұ�. It is played the same way as a larger flute called a ��. I don't think I would attempt the ��.

If you mention the word �ұ�, prepare for some misunderstanding, because �ұ� also means salt.

skookum · Joined: 11 Mar 2005

cutebecca · Joined: 08 Sep 2005

well the erhu is definitely similar to the haegeum but it is also different enough that you cannot learn erhu from a haegeum teacher. you might be able to find a chinese person who plays erhu and learn from him

or, you could look for a haegeum and find a teacher here. im sure you could find one at the national center for korean traditional arts (next to the seoul arts center). they offer a lot of beginner classes for foreigners. im not sure if haegeum is included in these classes, but if you ask politely, you could probably arrange private lessons.

the haegeum is not easy, though. you'd be best by starting off with both the tansu (like a recorder) and the changgu (double headed drum). you'd learn the melodies on the former and the rhythms on the latter. once you are familar with the sound and rhythm of korean music, then you could start learning the more difficult instruments, like haegum.

someone asked a question about the taegeum? it's hard to get the correct sound. the airhole has a membrane over it which creates a raspy/husky sound. it takes years to achieve the right timbre and it takes great skill to reach a wide range of notes. it's not impossible, though, and especially if one has experience with the flute, it'd be worth a shot trying out.

bye

tomato · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:18 am Post subject:

tomato · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know of a kayageum teacher in the Gyeonggido area?
I am in 안성.
I found a teacher in 평택, but she requires a down payment of 500,000 weon.