North Korean blues, sort of

Subject: North Korean blues, sort of
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 02:45 PM

This is weirdly reminiscent of blues guitar style, the rhythm in particular:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=3WLQEBnaoIk

Subject: RE: North Korean blues, sort of
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 11:06 PM

Hello, Jack. Somehow I missed this thread earlier today.

Here's the comment that I wrote after viewing that video:

"Thanks for posting this video. More! More!
A friend suggested this video, saying the music has a "blues" feel. I agree. I like the music & am interested in more info about it.

What's the name of that instrument that Kyung Namchul played and is it & the drum traditional Korean instruments? Would someone please share information about that musical number that I assume is titled "Kayagum Heemori". What does that mean? I apologize for my lack of knowledge about these subjects. Thanks again!"

-snip-

Abd thank you, Jack, for bringing this video to Mudcat members' & guests' attention.

Subject: RE: North Korean blues, sort of
From: GUEST,Jim P
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 05:09 AM

Sorry, I don't know the name of the tune, but the big zither that Kyung is playing is a Kayaguem (gayagum/kayakum/etc. - spelling is problematic since its a Korean word and properly spelled in Hangul). The drum is a Jang-go, and is also a traditional Korean instrument. As far as my very limited understanding goes, the Kayaguem has equivalents in China and Japan (the Koto), but the Jang-go is uniquely Korean. There are some pretty impressive drum performances on Youtube if you look for them.

Subject: RE: North Korean blues, sort of
From: Azizi
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 08:19 AM

Thanks for that information, Jim!

Given that information, was my guess wrong that the musical number was called "Kayagum Heemori"? If so, what is the name of the tune that the musicians played? [Heemori?]

Also, Jim. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be going video searching for Korean drumming, and more.