CHAPTER 5: Dulcimers in other countries since 1800 > Far East

Korea

Buchner and others refer to the Korean dulcimer as the yanggun (etc. - see chapter 2), and his illustration shows an instrument of similar proportions to those of Derbyshire and Lancashire, having 14IV strings, bridges of type II.2, and no sound hole.

Instruments are to be seen at Marneukirchen, New York and Ann Arbor, and the catalogue of the latter collection says,

"The instrument, which is extremely light, is supported by the tip of the left thumb, while the forefinger is inserted in a whole in the base. The strings are struck by a long, thin, strip of bamboo, held in the right hand. It is a favourite instrument of the educated classes, used both for solo work, and for accompanying the voice."

For notes on the yanggum in the semi-classical form kagok, see Ethnomusicology, xviii;319 (83).

Howie Mitchell describes meeting a Korean who played a small instrument, some 30" long and said it was "well-known" in Korea.