In symbol used for court music

Korean-style Court Ritual Music: Jongmyo jereyeak

Court music refers to a series of music that was used in the court or for events during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). Typically jereyeak is a fusion of instruments, song, and dance. The whole series of Jereyeak consisted of a wide range of different instruments made from metal, stone, silk, and bamboo. A number of dancers were also involved to perform a ceremonial dance along the music. "The Ilmu is considered as a dance from that expresses the reverence and modesty of humankind through gentle movements in perfect harmony with music." (Song) Here is an example of a Korean traditional court music, Yeon-hwa-mu.

The Court music reflected upon the traditional mode of thinking in Northeast Asia. They valued the harmony between heaven and earth to unite gods and humans, and to balance yin and yang. Since it was the Rite to Royal Ancestors, the highest attire was required along with a strickly ruled performance. This ritual takes places at the Jongmyo shrine which is located in Seoul.

I chose to analyse "Somu", the first piece of the "Jeongdaeeop-jiak" Song from Jongmyo jereyeak. The melody of "Somu" is played by the taepyeongso (shawm), a double reed-wood wind instrument because of its sound that helps the audience to understand that "Jeongdaeeop" is a piece of praising military achievement. Below is Amazing Grace played by Massed band and choir in Quebec. The Taepyeongso solo is played by corporal Do-Gye Hong from the Republic of Korea Traditional Army Band.

Based on the belief that the materials come from nature, people of Asia discovered to create sound from the objects that existed around them. Traditional court music instruments can be categorized into the "eight sounds" system; Metal, stone, silk, bamboo, gourd, earth, skin and wood. For the purpose of my example, "Somu", four sounds are explained.

Metal Sound
The resonating sounds of metallic instruments were considered to be very important and unique as a symbol of dignity and grandeur. They symbolized "the season of the vernal equinox in late autumn." (Song) 

Pyeonjong: structured with a set of 16 tuned bronze bells struck with a mallet
Pyeonjong is often paired with the pyeon-gyeong (stone chime set) and played with the multiple bells. These bells' pitch varied according to their thickness and shape. 


Jing: a large gong used in traditional Korean music- made from brass and hit by a hammer that is layered with soft cloth around the head

Pyeonjong

Jing

Stone Sound
The instruments produce a precious and special sound that is light, warm and soft compared to the metallic instruments. The stone chimes symbolized the beginning of winter season and expressed clear reasoning and judgement. Also, its role was to remind "government officials to do their duty even at the risk of their life." (Song)

Pyeon-gyeong: 16 pieces of stones hang on the frame
It gives an impression of purity and elegance- the low notes have lingering sound and the high notes produce clearer tones.

Pyeon-gyeong

Bamboo Sound
Bamboo instruments were commonly used as bamboo is abundant, varied, and easy to find around. Bamboo instruments created the high and clear sounds of spring or the voice of a bird. There are a variety of bamboo instruments that were used in Korean court music including, daegeum, piri, sogeum, and danso.

Daegeum: a large bamboo flute 
Dangpiri: a Korean double reed instrument made of bamboo used in folk and classical court music. Played with eight finger holes on the bamboo body

Skin Sound
This category of sound includes many of the percussion instruments that we hear from the music. In Korea, there are 40 different kinds of percussion instruments that are used in court music, folk music, military music, etc.

Jingo: "standing drum" and the largest barrel drum 
Janggu: "hourglass drum" with two heads stretched over wood body - one side struck with a hand or a round stick and the other side struck with a thin bamboo stick

Organization of Instruments

Vietnam-style Court Ritual Music: Nu tuong xuat quan (Days of Victory)

Nha Nhac refers to general court and ritual music used by Vietnamese dynasties. Its initial founding goes back to the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) when the court music was officially formed along with the rise of the dynasty. The Court Music included many different genres of music including ritual music, court music, court dances and opera. This traditional court music could be heard at many different occasions including:

• Tam quoc Tay Du used on the King's birthday
• Mu worshipping ceremonies
• Thien xuan to celebrate the prince's birthday
• Trinh tuong tap khanh in ceremonies for wealthy people and powerful country

Vietnamese court music brings together Chinese, Buddhist and Confucious cultures and incorporate the abundance of diversity within the dynasty. I will be analyzing Nu tuong xuat quan, which is used on the days of victory as well as on the Nguyen Dynasty Enthoroning Day. This music is used to celebrate at night banquets and receptions of foreign ambassadors.

Both the Jongmy jereyeak and Nha nhac were listed by UNESCO as one of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Kèn bầu Ðàn Tranh Ðàn Nguyêt T'rung Dan Tam

Kèn bầu - Cornical oboe A double reed wind instrument - similar sound to the Korean Taepyeongso - The reed of oboe Bau is double reed, and made of soft reed or worm nest. One end of it is crushed. - The stake is a metal tube that connects reed with the body of oboe. Ðàn Tranh - Zither The smallest zither of Asia that is used in traditional Vietnamese music. The 16-stringed zither is common and the strings are plucked with the thumb of a right hand. Ðàn Nguyêt - moon shaped-lute 2 nylon-stringed lute in the shape of a full moon used in traditional music. THe player can freely ornament and pluck notes. T'rung- Xylophone Played with two double sticks on a standard sized xylophone with 16 plates that are tuned in the pentatonic scale Dan Tam - Lute Played with a fingerpluck made of stone, jade or metal

We can learn from this background research that even though the two examples of court music originate from two distinct cultures, there are some common factors that link them together. We can see that both cultures use instruments that are made from natural resources that can be easily found around them. Also, the combination of instruments include at least one instrument from each of those "sound" categories. Therefore, it is very evident that both Korean and Vietnamese culture valued harmony in nature and sound very much. 

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