EXOTIC INSTRUMENTS
D A V I D E S S I G
KAYAGUM is a 12-string zither of Korean origin. It was invented in 551 A.D. by King Kasil of the Kingdom of Kaya. Although based in part on the ancient Chinese Cheng, the Kayagum is a distinctly Korean instrument - one especially suited to the narrative quality of Korean music. In the latter part of the 6th century, the Kayagum travelled, with the spread of Buddhism, to Japan where it was eventually transformed into the koto.
To play the Kayagum, one sits cross-legged on the floor with the right end of the instrument on the lap. Fingers and thumb of the right hand pluck the strings; the left hand presses on the strings (beyond the moveable bridges) to create the combination of pitch change and vibrato so distinctive to Korean music.
The Kayagum is featured on the Morning Calm album.
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