Owner: HWMC
Catalogue #: AS-MBST-16-14
Struck Membranophones
Korea 'Changgo' (Juanggu)
Korea
Korean
Paulownia wood, hide, fiber rope, paint
Early-Mid 20th century
Length: 22.875 inches
Membranophones – Struck Membranophones – Directly Struck
The changgo, a double-headed hourglass shape drum is the chief percussion instrument of Korea (chang: stick; go: drum). It is also called “se-yo-go” which means slim-waisted drum. The left drumhead (bukpyeon) is covered with a thicker hide, which produces a lower tone. It is played with the palm of the left hand. The right drumhead (chaepyeon) is played with a slender bamboo stick and has a thinner skin for a higher tone. The changgo is made in various sizes, with the larger size (seen here) used in court music with its deeper-tone. It is played by placing it horizontally on the floor in front of the seated performer. The changgo can be traced from mural paintings, back to the Koguryo period (37 B.C.E .- 668 C.E.).
Resource: “Changgo,” Robert C. Provine, “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments,” 2nd ed., Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief.