Haegeum

Sound and Character

The timbre of the haegeum is piercing, crying, with a strong hoarseness and colossal expression. It is capable of conveying both deep melancholy and piercing joy, resembling a human voice or the howling of the wind.

Design and Features

It features a vertical hollow wooden resonator (originally made of bamboo or a hollow gourd), open at the back, and a long, thin fretless neck. A horsehair bow passes between two silk strings.

Genres Used In

• Korean classical court music
• Traditional Korean folklore
• Soundtracks to historical Korean television dramas