Kweng-gar-ri Kweng-gar-ri plays a crucial role in poong-mool; Kweng-gar-ri acts as a leader and signals and carries other instruments into different rhythms. The Kweng-gar-ri which takes the lead is called 'sang-se.' Kweng-gar-ri can be very loud and it represents thunder. (It sort of sounds like thunder too.) Kweng-gar-ri is a small gong made of primarily of copper and iron. Now a days, some people add gold or silver to enhance the sound quality of Kweng-gar-ri. Kweng-gar-ri has an approximate diameter of 21 centimeter and a width of 3.6 centimeter. Kweng-gar-ri is divided into two categories according to its pitch. The Kweng-gar-ri which has a higher pitch is called 'su-kgr.' The Kweng-gar-ri which has a lower pitch is called 'ahm-kgr.' 'Su-Kweng-gar-ri' literally translated means male Kweng-gar-ri, and the 'ahm-Kweng-gar-ri' literally translated means female Kweng-gar-ri. (Or you can think of it in terms of yin and yang.) Both Kweng-gar-ri are played and is complemented by each other. Some say that when 'su-Kweng-gar-ri' and the 'ahm-Kweng-gar-ri' are played together, it sounds like a harmonious mix of songs by a male and a female bird. There are two theories about the origin of Kweng-gar-ri. First theory states that Kweng-gar-ri was brought into existence during the Shilla period. The latter theory states that Kweng-gar-ri was made in China and was brought to Korea during the Ming Dynasty. Jing Jing also known as taegum plays a big role in poong-mool. According to historical sources, the name varies according to the medium in which it is used. In the royal ancestral shrine ceremony, for example, it is referred to as the taegum, but in processionals, shaman music, and farmers festival music, etc., it is called the ching. Jing can overwhelm the other instruments because of its long vibration. Jing brings the other instruments of poong-mool into harmony by its long steady sound. Jing represents the element of wind. (If you listen carefully, you can hear a glimpse of the wind.) Jing has a diamter of approximately 36 centimeters, a width of approximately 10 centimeters, and a thickness of approximately 3 milimeters. Jing has many uses and have been used by the military and the Buddhist Monasteries. There are many records concerning Jing. There is a record that Jing was brought to Korea during the Koryo period from China. However, from looking at Jing artifacts, Jing probably probably has been existence for a longer period of time. Chang-go Chang-Go plays a huge role in sa-mul-no-ri especially after the success of Mr. Kim, Duk-Soo. Chang-Go is very versatile and represents rain. Chang-Go looks like a hour-glass. Chang-Go is made of a wooden tube with its two sides covered by leather. The leather are typically from a dog or a deer. Chang-Go is comprised of 'Goong-Pyun' and 'Yul-Pyun.' 'Goong-Pyung' produces a deep sound and represents man (or yang) while the 'Yul-Pyun' produces a high sound and represents woman (or yin). When both 'Goong-Pyun' and "yul-Pyun' are played, it represents the harmonious nature of man and woman. Historians claim that the ancestor of today's Chang-Go, called 'Yo-Go' was originally produced in India. From India, it was passed to Chinaand finally to Koguryo. Originally, Chang-Go was small but gained its size during the Koryo period. As a side note, Japan has a hour-glass drum similar to Chang-Go, but smaller in size and higher in pitch. Buk The buk, which symbolizes the moon, maintains the basic rhythms of a piece. It is played with a large mallet.