What is SAMULNORI (Play of four obejcts)?

What is SAMULNORI (Play of four obejcts)?

 

Korea has a wealth of excellent traditional music.

 

For example, the Sanjo, which evolved from the globally renowned improvisational music called "Sinnae" into a solo performance form, is one such example.

However, the most internationally famous Korean music today is undoubtedly Samulnori.

Samulnori is probably one of the most dynamic music forms in the world. Due to its immense volume and strong beat, it can transport listeners into a state of ecstatic joy.

No matter how large a soccer stadium is, a Korean cheering squad with just a Samulnori team can outshine cheering squads from other countries.

This is because no other country's instruments can match the dynamism and intensity of the sounds produced by Samulnori.

Samulnori means "play of four objects", referring to the performance of four traditional instruments:

the Kkwaenggwari (small gong), the Janggu (hourglass drum), the Buk (big drum), and the Jing (large gong).

Samulnori is an adaptation of the traditional outdoor performance called Pungmulnori, which was staged as a performing art in 1978.

While Pungmulnori emphasized the outdoor performance and large-scale activity,

Samulnori focuses on the emotional impact of the music itself. It features various rhythms and progresses through a cyclical flow of tension and relaxation, following a pattern of initiation, development, climax, and conclusion.

The four instruments used in Samulnori have been intimately connected with the daily lives and history of the Korean people. There was not a single village in Korea without these instruments.

They served as work tools during labor, festival instruments during good harvests, and had religious significance during village rituals.

Additionally, they were used as military music during wartime. This can be seen from the costumes and terms used in Pungmul performances.

The attire of the Pungmul performers resembles that of Joseon soldiers.

There are important sequences in Pungmul, such as the "Sangmo-dolligi," where performers wear a hat with long strings and dance with it. According to Kim Deok-su, this hat is called "Jeonrip," which is a type of military uniform.

 

Regarding the four instruments:

 

- The Kkwaenggwari represents thunder, the Jing symbolizes wind, the Buk stands for clouds, and the Janggu signifies rain. When dividing by yin and yang, the drum and Janggu made of leather represent the sounds of the earth, while the Jing and Kkwaenggwari made of metal represent the sounds of the sky.

- The Kkwaenggwari, being the smallest instrument, produces the most prominent sound and takes on the role of the conductor in Samulnori.

- The Jing, struck with a blunt cloth-covered mallet, produces a lingering and rich sound and is often seen as the "mother" of the ensemble, playing a supportive role in the overall melody.

- The Janggu is played with two sticks, with the high-pitched side called the "Yeolpyeon" and the low-pitched side called the "Gungpyeon." Each stick is referred to as "Yeolchwe" and "Gungchwe," respectively. In Samulnori, the Kkwaenggwari takes the lead in conducting.

- The Buk also plays a role in setting the rhythm, starting, and ending the performance, providing a strong foundation for the other instruments.

 

 

So, are you interested in experiencing Samulnori for yourself?

 

Visit your local cultural center to enjoy it firsthand.