Korean Percussion Ensemble (Samulnori) in the General Music Classroom. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kang, Sangmi; Yoo, Hyesoo
• Is Part Of: General music today. Volume 29:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: culture -- elementary general music -- Korean percussion ensemble -- samulnori -- secondary general music -- world music; School music -- Instruction and study -- United States -- Periodicals; Music teachers -- Training of -- United States -- Periodicals; 780
• DOI: 10.1177/1048371315626501
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1048-3713

Abstract

This article introduces samulnori (Korean percussion ensemble), its cultural background, and instructional methods as parts of a classroom approach to teaching upper-level general music. We introduce five of eight sections from youngnam nong-ak (a style of samulnori) as a repertoire for teaching Korean percussion music to beginners in general music classrooms. When playing samulnori, students will learn the origin of this music, the symbolism of each instrumental timbre, yin yang philosophy, and oral and aural music practices. In addition, students will have opportunities to participate in a type of song writing that originates from Korean farmers' chanting. To help music teachers learn to use samulnori in the classroom, video clips are provided. Music teachers can encourage students to engage in Korean percussion ensemble using classroom or handmade instruments if traditional Korean ones are unavailable.