Yanggeum


The yanggeum is a traditional Korean string instrument. It is a hammered dulcimer. Unlike other traditional Korean instruments, the yanggeum has metal strings. It is played by striking the strings with a bamboo stick.
Yanggeum means a stringed instrument of the West. The yanggeum is also called seoyanggeum or gura cheolsageum. The origin of the yanggeum is the santur in Middle East. The Chinese introduced it into Korea in the 18th century. Its body is flat and trapezoidal, with seven sets of four metal strings. The right hand strikes the strings with a thin bamboo strip.