gayageum
what it is
The gayageum or kayagum is a traditional Korean zither-like string instrument, with 12 strings, although more recently variants have been constructed with 21 or other numbers of strings. It is probably the best known gugak (traditional Korean musical) instrument. It is very similar to the Japanese koto and the Chinese guzheng, or table harp.
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questions
What is gayageum?
The gayageum or kayagum is a traditional Korean zither-like string instrument, with 12 strings, although more recently variants have been constructed with 21 or other numbers of strings. It is probably the best known gugak (traditional Korean musical) instrument. It is very similar to the Japanese koto and the Chinese guzheng, or table harp.
What are good gayageum albums to start with?
Try The Gayageum Timbre of Kim Hee-Jeong by Kim HeeJeong, Gayageum, Be the Legend by SooEun Kwak, Solos and Duos by John Sackett; Jean-Michel Fonteneau, and 뿌리깊은 나무 산조 전집 (함동정월 가야금 산조) by 함동정월.
Who are some women making gayageum?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/gayageum/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making gayageum, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-22