Sogeum


The sogeum is a small bamboo transverse flute used in traditional Korean music. Unlike the larger daegeum, it does not have a buzzing membrane. It is used in court, aristocratic, and folk music, as well as in contemporary classical music, popular music, and film scores.
Other larger flutes in the same family include the medium-sized junggeum and the large daegeum; the three together are known as samjuk, as the three primary flutes of the Silla period.

How to play

Sogeum is played in the same way as playing the Daegeum. There is a weak point that the instrument can not be used freely because of its short length, and it is difficult to transpose. Sogeum can theoretically sound all twelve notes, but actually only eight notes are played naturally, and the rest of the notes do not sound due to various restrictions on the play. Sogeum plays a role of making the songs that require high tone and clear tone in the main music, and it is rarely used as a solo instrument.