Orchestration of

Gyeonggi Korean Orchestra

 Orchestration
Daegeum (DG): 9 players
Daegeum and
*Jeodae (tongil daegeum): 3 players
sogeum
(9) Sogeum (SG): 2 players

Piri (PR): 10 players

Piri, daepiri,
jeopiri, and Daepiri (D.PR): 3 players

taepyeongso Jeopiri (J.PR): 1 player

(10)
Taepyeongso (TP): 3 players

Percussion Haegeum and Haegeum (HG): 10 players

jeohaegeum
(10) Jeohaegeum (J.HG): 2 players

Daegeum
Piri Soajaeng, Soajaeng (S.AJ): 2 players
daeajaeng,
Sogeum Daeajaeng (D.AJ): 8 players
and jeoajaeng
Gayageum Geomungo
(8) Jeoajaeng (J.AJ): 2 players
Haegeum Ajaeng
Gayageum
Conductor Gayageum (GYG): 8 players
(8)

Geomungo
Geomungo (GMG): 8 players
(8)

Percussion (Perc): 6 players

Percussion
*One player for a keyboard instrument included *Instruments: Samul (janggu, buk, kkwaenggwari, and jing),
(6)
*Guest players recruited for other instruments if needed a set of buk, a set of drums, and timpani
 Scores Used by the Orchestra
(Names and Order of Instruments)

* Each part can be grouped in the forms of 4+4, 3+2, etc.

For example, the daegeum part can be played in groups of 4+4,
3+3+2, 2+2+2+2, etc.

* The score of any instrument not originally included in the

orchestration (i.e. Western instruments) should be grouped with the
most similar instrument (i.e. flute with daegeum, cello with ajaeng,
and oboe with piri).

* The score for the collaborating instrument should be placed at the

top.

* The orchestra can collaborate with a solo instrument or vocals

(both solo and chorus).

* Percussion includes samul (janggu, buk, kkwaenggwari, and jing),

a set of buk, a set of drums, timpani, and special instruments
(cymbals, gong, and wind chimes).
 Daegeum (Jeodae/Tongil Daegeum/Modernized Daegeum)/Sogeum

Register

(Daegeum) (Sogeum)

Traits
- Both daegeum and sogeum create loud sounds when playing higher notes, adding a dramatic
feel to an ensemble. Daegeum
- Both daegeum and sogeum create calm, placid sounds when playing lower notes.

- Microtones and half tones can be played by adjusting the lips.

- Daegeum creates a unique sound through the coating of cheong (a thin membrane taken from
the inside of a reed stem), which is similar to that of a flute.

- Sogeum creates the highest register of sound among traditional wind instruments and is similar
to a piccolo.

- Sogeum is one octave higher than daegeum.

*Jeodae: A type of modernized daegeum used in North Korea, which can freely cover the duodecuple scale

*Tongil daegeum: A combination of daegeum and jeodae engineered to retain the tone of daegeum and
take advantage of the scale coverage of jeodae
Sogeum
*Modernized daegeum: A type of daegeum modernized to include half tones
Daegeum
Sogeum
Example Scores for Daegeum (Jeodae/Tongil Daegeum/Modernized Daegeum)/Sogeum

Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato

Whole Tone
Example Scores for Daegeum (Jeodae/Tongil Daegeum/Modernized Daegeum)/Sogeum

Technique Example Score

Half Tone

Skip
 Piri/Daepiri/Jeopiri

Register

Piri
(Piri) (Daepiri)

(Jeopiri)

Traits
Daepiri
- Piri is a double reed instrument, and keys can be changed with the movements of the tongue.

- Piri has a fierce, strong tone but the intensity of the tone can be freely adjusted. It is similar to an oboe.

- Piri can cover the duodecuple scale but cannot play music of a fast tempo or express fine tunes on pitch.

- Daepiri and jeopiri are both modernized piri used in North Korea and can freely cover the duodecuple
scale.

- Daepiri is similar to a tenor saxophone.

- Jeopiri is similar to a bassoon.

Jeopiri
Piri
Daepiri
Jeopiri
Example Scores for Piri
Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato

Whole Tone
Example Scores for Piri
Technique Example Score

Half Tone

Skip
Example Scores for Daepiri
Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato

Whole Tone
Example Scores for Daepiri
Technique Example Score

Half Tone

Skip
Example Scores for Jeopiri
Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato

Whole Tone
Example Scores for Jeopiri
Technique Example Score

Half Tone

Skip
 Taepyeongso

Register

Traits
- Taepyeongso is also a reed instrument and creates the loudest sound among traditional Taepyeongso
instruments used for gugak.

- The intensity of the sound is difficult to adjust and sustain beyond a short period.

- Taepyeongso can cover the duodecuple scale but cannot play music of a fast tempo or express
fine tunes on pitch.

- Special techniques include moktwigim (making a ringing sound in the throat to add an
accentuating effect) and portamento (a pitch sliding from one note to another).
Taepyeongso
Example Scores for Taepyeongso
Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato

Whole Tone
Example Scores for Taepyeongso
Technique Example Score

Half Tone

Skip
 Haegeum/Jeohaegeum

Register

(Haegeum) (Jeohaegeum)

Traits Haegeum
- Haegeum is a string instrument played by drawing a bow against the two strings.

- The fundamental notes are played using the forefinger.

- The position of the forefinger has to be changed to create notes not included in the
fundamental tones.

- It is easier to modulate and the register is wider compared to other traditional instruments.

- Haegeum is similar to a violin or an erhu of China.

- The modernized jeohaegeum has a lower register and a larger soundbox than the original
haegeum, thus creating a more gentle tone.

Jeohaegeum
Haegeum
Jeohaegeum
Example Scores for Haegeum/Jeohaegeum
Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato

Whole Tone
Example Scores for Haegeum/Jeohaegeum
Technique Example Score

Half Tone

Skip
 Soajaeng/Daeajaeng/Jeoajaeng

Register (based on daeajaeng)

Soajaeng

*Soajaeng and jeoajaeng are performed in an identical fashion as daeajaeng. However, soajaeng’s register is one
octave higher than daeajaeng, while jeoajaeng’s register is one octave lower than daeajaeng.

Traits
- Ajaeng is a bowed string instrument.

- It is played by drawing a bow against the strings (arco) or plucking the strings with fingers
(pizzicato).

- The pitch can be raised by M3 by pressing the open strings. Daeajaeng

- Two strings can be rubbed at once with a bow, and more than two strings can be plucked at once
when using the pizzicato technique in combination.

- A bow made with forsythia boughs or a bow similar to a cello bow or contrabass bow is used in
accordance with the piece performed.

- Ajaeng plays an instrumental role in an orchestra as it has a medium and lower register.

- Soajaeng in the medium register is similar to a viola, while daeajaeng and jeoajaeng in the lower
register are similar to a cello.

Jeoajaeng
Soajaeng
Daeajaeng
Jeoajaeng
Example Scores for Soajaeng/Daeajaeng/Jeoajaeng
Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato

Whole Tone
Example Scores for Soajaeng/Daeajaeng/Jeoajaeng
Technique Example Score

Half Tone

Skip
 Gayageum

Register (25 strings)

Traits
- Gayageum is played by plucking the strings with the fingers. Gayageum
- A 25-string gayageum is frequently used in an orchestra.

- Any scale can be covered by freely moving anjok (movable bridges). However, as certain
pitches are tuned on the string in advance, it is difficult to perform pieces that frequently
modulate (although it is possible to modulate by moving one or two anjok).

- The pitch can be moved up by plucking a string and then pressing it on the part to the left of
the anjok. To move the pitch down, press a string in advance, pluck it, and wait until the
string returns to its original state.

- The tone and performance techniques resemble a harp.

Gayageum
Example Scores for Gayageum
Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato
Example Scores for Gayageum
Technique Example Score

Whole Tone

Half Tone
Example Scores for Gayageum
Technique Example Scores

Skip
 Geomungo

Register

Traits
- Geomungo is played by plucking the strings with suldae (a short bamboo stick). Geomungo
- It is composed of six strings (munhyeon, yuhyeon, daehyeon, gwaesangcheong,
gwaehacheong, and muhyeon) and 16 convex frets.

- Sounds are created mostly with two strings and the rest are open strings.

- The convex frets have to be carefully adjusted with the left hand, which is not easy to do as
with a guitar.

- Although it is a string instrument, its ability to sustain notes is short due to the use of suldae
instead of a bow.

- Geomungo is frequently used to play melodic scales.

Geomungo
Example Scores for Geomungo
Technique Example Score

Staccato

Legato

Whole Tone
Example Scores for Geomungo
Technique Example Score

Half Tone

Skip
Percussion (Janggu)
Percussion (Buk)
Percussion (Kkwaenggwari)
Percussion (Jing)
Percussion (A Set of Buk)