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Sanjo (literally, scattered melodies) is a solo genre and one of the most advanced forms in Korean music. It begins slowly and proceeds with a faster tempo and is improvisational in that the performer can spontaneously create melodies within a prescribed form. Because sanjo requires brilliant technique and musical capacity, this genre is often used to gauge a performer`s musical talent.

Sanjo for various instruments have developed, and presently there are geomungo (six-stringed zither) sanjo, daegeum (long transverse bamboo flute) sanjo, haegeum (two-stringed fiddle) sanjo, piri (bamboo oboe) sanjo, and ajaeng (bowed zither) sanjo.

Geomungo is six-stringed zither has three twisted silk strings, which are stretched over 16 fixed frets, and another three, each of which passes over a movable bridge.

This instrument is plucked with a short bamboo stick, which is held in the right hand, and produces deep, majestic sounds. The origin of Geomungo is found in the ancient murals of Gogureo(37BC-668AD)a kingdom in the northern region of Korea .
~ Comment by Hyun Chung Kim

Perfromance by Nirumsay (Chicago Korean Music Ensemble)
Performer:
Sunwoo Yang performs on the Geomungo (six-stringed zither)

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