Baek JiYoung (백지영) wants me!

This recording comes from a TV show here in Korea where several of the best vocalists performed in an elimination contest for best pipes. I love this woman. I know she loves me. It is only a matter of time before we meet. Enjoy my loose translation annotations!

Yang HyeonKyung양현경-Snow Fall눈이 내리면

On this Christmas morning I am reminded of my first months in Korea. I was rather destitute when I first came here. I had recently graduated college and had basically sacrificed everything to complete my degree in music. Anyone who knows me knows I am a music freak. Anyone who knows me knows that I adore the female voice. Anyone who knows me knows that serendipity is my best friend.

When I first arrived I made an investment in a manual tuned transistor radio (I know, big spender). I would finish work and slowly spin the wheel and see what the airwaves had to offer. There was a good deal to be heard. The classical radio station in Gwangju had some highlights when it would focus on native traditional music but it in my estimation is absolutely atrocious beyond that. I think I heard Vivaldi over two hundred times and was pretty much going crazy. I soon learned that you need not listen to the radio to hear popular music. The hits of the day blare constantly outside of storefronts and it would be truly impossible to hide from them if you wished.

One fine fall day I saw a giant boom box alongside a garbage pile. Score!! I took it home and sadly the CD player was broken. Fortunately the cassette player worked quite brilliantly! A few days later I crossed paths with an old man pushing a giant cart filled with CD's and cassettes. I stopped him and purchased two cassettes for about four dollars. The prizes were Japan's Pop Hits 2001 and a tape by a native folk artist named Yang HyeonKyung (양현경) upon his recommendation.

Upon inspection the Japanese recording was hideous. I was disappointed but quickly the folk singer's voice gave me great joy. I can't honestly say she is a very powerful singer but somehow her emotion comes out extremely well. I was overjoyed! As I listened to the tape repeatedly I began to notice the subtleties in the recordings and the depth of musicianship. A two dollar gold mine was echoing through my room.

The song which follows is Snow Falls (눈이 내리면). The arrangement is quite simple, a piercing kind of simple. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for a female lament. The story of the song as best as I can tell is of a woman whose husband (or lover) has departed (either for work or war I am not certain) and is not expected to return home until the snow flies. I simply interpret it as a woman's wish for the snow to come and be reunited with her man. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Music That I've Never Heard

I apologize for a non Korean post. I wrote this piece in response to a great artist's exhibition in Brussels. The artist is Cedric Vandenbossche and his exibition was titled Places I've Never Been. The piece has a good dose of twelve tone tempered by some diatonic sounds. It was created in Korea so maybe somehow it is topical. Enjoy and thanks Mr. Vandenbossche for your good work.

Jeollaby (전라 자장가)

I recently Installed Finale on my computer!! This is my first musical composition in a few years. The piece is intended as a short lullaby. It is very simple and takes no risks. The photos are from Jeollabukdo and Jeollanamdo. Piano, Flute, and Cello. Cheers.

Pyongyang Hardcore Resistance

I came across some interesting audio files a few weeks ago and added some images to them. The music claims to have been smuggled out of North Korea. The legend has it that a South Korean moved up to North Korea to be with his family. He exposed a friend to hardcore techno and what you will hear is the result. The music seems to be infused with local anthems. A dash or two of traditional music is rehashed as well. Enjoy!

Resistance 1


Resistance 2


Resistance 3


Resistance 4

Today

May 5th is Children's day in Korea. I am thankful for the break from work. I had my first kayagum lesson today and I feel very much like a child. The instrument is really cool and the technique appears rather simple. However, I feel a bit saddened by my lack of innate ability. I struggled very hard to get the first and most basic form of 'picking' down. It probably didn't help that my teacher did not speak English but I understood what was asked of me and had a really hard time doing it. I had to trim my thumbnail (I am a classical guitar player) in order to achieve the correct hand position. Anyhow, I worked very hard to do what the teacher expected with very little success. I realize music is practice and hope to acquire an instrument soon. The price is more than I can afford but I feel I cannot afford not to try to learn. If you know of anyone who has access to this instrument please contact me. I have every intention of becoming a kick ass kayagum player....

Tea: Ritual and Music

Da'ak - Green Aroma (Korean Creative Music Society)

Ritual tea ceremony began in China nearly 3,000 years ago. Our modern society has so many drugs, energy drinks, and artificial stimulants that simply cup of tea seems rather plain. Imagine yourself in ancient times and consider how consuming this natural substance powerfully alters your mind and body. In ancient times these tea ceremonies were used to reflect the order seen in the universe with the hope to infuse this stability into society.

In Korea ritual tea drinking began as part of an homage to ancestors or to Buddha himself. These ceremonies were 'nationalized' and actually formally codified in form in the fifteenth century. However, the tradition has lasted in most part due to the monks. The common rituals finally permeated the society as a whole and reached a golden age in Korea during the sixteenth century. It is very interesting to consider the formal aspect of drinking tea in Europe. Somehow ritualized tea drinking focuses on good manners; something as lost in this world as the ceremonies I speak of.

The ceremonies vary wildly in degree of formality but all adhere to the following rules: First, greet your guests and be sure to bow and announce the beginning of the ceremony. Next, heat water in a tea kettle and pour the water in the cups to be used. This simply preheats the wares so they do not distort the tea to come. When finished heating the equipment simply pour the water in a bowl. To brew the tea first spoon the appropriate amount into the kettle followed by hot water. The most important step after the tea is brewed is pouring the tea. Each cup must receive the tea in thirds. Pour one third into the first cup, then the second, and so on. Repeat with the second and third portion of tea. This ensures everyone receives a cup of equal strength. Before drinking ponder the color and smell. Always finish your first cup of tea before tasting the food. This ensures you taste the fullness of the brew without any invasion. Finally, wait to clean up until all guests have left!

The Korean Creative Music Society has put together an art program combining music, dance, and the ritual of tea drinking. I highly recommend checking it out if the troop comes to your city. Below is a video of a performance. I leave you in hope that you consider your next cup of tea something much than trivial.

Baek JiYoung (백지영)

In the fall of 2008 I began to explore Gwangju alone. I did not enjoy the foreigner hangouts and began to randomly enter bars with the hope that something interesting would occur. One night I entered a basement bar where a kind and beautiful woman was working and talking to a man from Seoul. He spoke English and we drank a few beers and had a good time. A week later I returned. The bartender ushered me into a small room where I met several local doctors (I have retained a strong friendship with one of them). These small rooms also had kareoke facilities. Many nights I had dinner with my friend and we would end up back at the bar singing songs and consuming vast amounts of alcohol. The bartender became my friend and often sang songs as well. This was my first introduction to the wondergirl Baek JiYoung.

Our hostess all too frequently drank too much whiskey and would grab the microphone and belt out 사랑안해 (I Won't Love). I became enamoured with the song and to this day it is my favorite. I then began to hear her 2008 single 총맞은것처럼 (Like Being Shot by a Bullet) everywhere. Her voice was so deliciously sultry. The emotion was thick in every lick she sang. Natives here would often ask me what I liked about Korea and my answer would be Baek JiYoung. The strange thing was the responses. Many if not most would respond negatively; claiming that they did not like her. However, her music was everywhere. How could this be so?

Scandal! A few years ago her ex-boyfriend released a sex tape of the couple. Even though she was unknowingly filmed her image was severely tarnished. This is the oddest part of Korea to me. Women here have to maintain an impeccable reputation. One false move and society scorns them. This is not just true for celebrities but for any given woman. The fact that Baek JiYoung has resurfaced and that her popularity is growing should give hope to the females here. Korea is slowly shedding its conservative restraints.

A few months later I noticed a truly sexy poster advertising soju in my neighborhood market. I was friendly with the owner and asked him if he could help me acquire one. He asked me if I liked Baek Ji Young. Yes - very much - oh my god is that her?? - holy crap - she is a knockout!!! I had been in love with her voice for some time and somehow the magic of life now presented me with such a tremendous image to go along with it. A few days later he gave me about a dozen of the posters as well as pens which bear the same image. What luck!
In August of 2009 I noticed a concert poster. Baek JiYoung was coming to Gwangju! Oh my, now I could die complete with the memory of her serenade performed at an intimate show just for me. She must have been waiting a long time to meet me. I was absolutely stoked!! I looked forward to the concert for a couple of weeks. Finally, the magical day came...

She would perform at a popular and fairly exclusive night club. I had already been in this club thanks to the aforementioned doctor group I befriended. So here we go -- Showtime!! I arrived at the club with a few friends dressed in my best duds. I was going to have the night of my life. I approached the door and was told to go away. No foreigners allowed. What?? No way. This can't be. I tried again and was told my shoes were ugly. My scheming mind beleived if I could make friends with some of the locals milling about maybe I could sit at their table. I schmoozed my way into a group which accepted me and after hearing my plea invited me to join them. OK, one more try. The doorman refused me again. The natives put up merely a mild protest and I was left dejected. I really do hope I find another opportunity to go to a show. I am not obsessed. Nope. No zealous mania here.

Anyhow I am back for another year and her success has continued. Hits like 내 귀에 캔디 (Ear Candy) permeate the soundscape here for me. Maybe, just maybe, someone will pass along my story to her and she will agree to have my children.

Daegum

Daegum Sanjo - Won JangHyun
What can you do with bamboo? Sixteen million things I am sure. I believe the most natural use of this plant may be the creation of a flute. Samchuk, the three member flute family in Korea, consists of the Daegum, Junggum, and Sogum. All three possess the same range but are pitched differently. Daeugum is the largest and most commonly used. The back of the instrunment has a membrane covered hole which gives the flute a wavering tone. Its range is two octaves plus a fourth. Passing air over a blowhole and fingering the six finger holes produces a lamenting tone. It originated in the Silla kingdom in the seventh century.

You are listening to a Sanjo. This literally translates to 'scattered melodies' and is a common gauge for a solo performers skill. Usually this form begins at a slow tempo and increases as the performance progresses. Improvisation is often included as well. I suppose you could equate Sanjo to the western form concerto. The performer(pictured above) is Won JangHyun. The piece lasts some twenty-three minutes and you are now instructed to minimize this window, do something else, and keep your ears open.

Haegum

Kim YongJae - Haegum - Bird Crying

The Haegum is a two stringed "fiddle" constructed of hardwood. The strings of woven silk are tuned a fifth apart (Do-So) and are played with a bow of horsehair. The instrument is thought to have its roots in China or Mongolia but the performance practice is uniquely Korean. Its tone is often described as nasal. It was originally used in court orchestras along with the Daegum, P'iri, and Changgo for the purpose of supporting Kagok(a form of singing which I am currently reading an extensive thesis about). Thanks to Hwang ByungKi's Kayagum revolution it is now used as a solo instrument as well.

The above piece Bird Crying is thoroughly modern. Below the Haegum is heard in the solo form of Korean music called Sanjo. This form was introduced in the 19th century and is now applied widely with all instruments here. I'll be brief with my words today in the hope that you take time to listen to the music!

Kim YongJae - Haegum - Sanjo

Hwang ByungKi - Kayagum

The Forest - Shade - Hwang ByungKi


Korean music in general is rather free. Its aim is a desire to be one with nature. The rhythmic patterns are structured (often in triple meter). However, the beat would best be described as rubato. Nature has no consistent pattern and that is reflected in the music.

The Kayagum was invented some 1,500 to 2,000 years ago and is the most representative instrument of Korean traditional music. It is made from hardwood and has twelve woven silk strings. Similar to the Koto of Japan but varied in performance technique. The Kayagum is played with the fingers (the Koto with artificial "picks") and creates a very natural and Earthy tone. The bridges (fashioned to resemble a crane's foot) are movable to allow for various styles of tuning. The left hand depresses the strings while the right hand plucks or slaps the strings.

Hwang ByungKi is the foremost contemporary composer and performer of the Kayagum. He was born in Seoul in 1936 but the war forced his family to move to Busan in the 1950's. There he heard the Kayagum and became enamoured. He began to study the instrument and his first compositions appeared a decade later. It was not until the mid 1970's that he freed himself from the world of commerce and dedicated his life to music. His compositions are certainly modern but they retain the natural qualities which permeate the soundscape of traditional music here.

His first composition Sup (The Forest) was written in 1962. If you pressed play at the top of this post you are listening to the first piece of this suite. This work revolutionized Korean music as it was the first modern work to become accepted for a traditional instrument. His success is due to a firm grounding in the tradition of Korean music. From there he was able to put his own stamp on what is heard. This event spurred many to do the same for their own instruments and the peninsula's music has never been the same. Below is the remainder of the composition in its entirety:

The Forest - Cuckoo - Hwang ByungKi

The Forest - Rain - Hwang ByungKi

The Forest - Moonlight - Hwang ByungKi