Gugak is a mobile application that let’s you play the traditional Korean musical instruments, such as Gayageum. Gugak uses real instrument sound and various tonal tuning settings, allowing you to experience the enthusiastic Korean music!

Gayageum is a typical Korean string instrument. Its origin is traced back to the period of three kingdoms, whose chronicles reported that Gaya’s King Kasil ordered a famous musician, Uruk, to create it. As the kingdom of Gaya dwindled in power, Uruk moved and brought the instrument to Silla. From there, it expanded as a popular musical instrument throughout Korean history—unified Silla, Goryeo Dynasty, and Jogeon Dynasty periods—and is still played today. The instrument can be classified into two types of genres: Jeong-ak (court music) and San-jo (folk music).

Jeong-ak Gayageum is also known as Beop-Geum and Pung-Ryu Gayageum. It is characterized by a wooden peg called Yang-Idu, which means ram’s horns; the peg holds the strings to the bottom of the instrument. The structure is similar to that of other gayageum instruments, but its size, range, and required techniques are different from those of the San-jo Gayaguem.

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This work was supported by ministry of culture, sports & tourism - Grant funded by the Korean Government(Korea Creative Contents Agency-2012-HE1405-No.R2012030134)