Korean jazz

     There are two videos I wanted to show. This particular instrument that is common among Korean instruments is called the gayageum. It is an oriental version of the harp. Instead of the musician sitting upright with the arms embracing the instrument, the gayageum rests on the woman’s lap.

     The ensemble does consist of modern western instruments such as the drum set, the piano, electric guitar, and the bass. The gayageum seems to give a unique support to guitar and the bass since the sounds are similar in nature. However, the unique sound of this instrument tends to be twangy at first, and suddenly reverberates gently into silence. In some ways, it seems to be like a “tenor-bass.”

     For this example, the ensemble is playing an example of fusion jazz since they are mixing rock music and R&B rhythms with long improvisations as an ensemble. There is also an amplification of electronic effects from the electric keyboard.

     This genre of modern jazz grew popular in the 70’s since electronic instruments started to make their mainstream debut.

Personally, I really hate the electronic keyboard because the sounds they emit are completely insensitive in expression and sound compared to the traditional keyboard. I do agree that the electronic keyboard offers an infinite possibility of solutions to create exciting sounds, but I prefer to utilize those types of sounds for trance, club, house music (techno/electronic music). I admire music for its authenticity that is derived from something natural, and I believe the electronic movement, in some or many ways, stripped away the wholesomeness or the voice of the instruments.

     The other video (not quite related to jazz) is something that was so fascinating because they only use the gayageum to play an excerpt of 'canon.' The modern twist is the percussion sound effects from the human mouth and the d.j. making the ensemble sound “cool.” This gave me a realization that reviving traditional instruments is a wonderful way not only to keep the culture alive, but also explore the new approaches to create new sounds to excite the ears of the audience.