What is the difference between Gayageum and Guzheng?

The differences between the Gayageum and the Guzheng are categorized as follows:

(1) The history of the instruments is different.

The history of the guzheng is very long, according to historical records, as early as in the Warring States period (476-221 BC) in the state of Qin, there was a guzheng, so the guzheng is also known as the "Qin zheng". During the Han and Wei Dynasties, the guzheng had become an important and indispensable musical instrument in folk gatherings, and the poet Cao Zhi wrote poems praising the charm of the guzheng, such as "Playing the guzheng, the new sound is wonderful," etc. In the Jin Dynasty, there were even a number of guzheng players, who were the first to play the guzheng. To the Jin Dynasty, there emerged more excellent guzheng artists such as Huan Yi and Hao Su.

And although the gamelan has a long history, compared with the guzheng, it is relatively late. According to historical records, it was produced in the 6th century A.D. in the Gaya Kingdom in the south of Silla, Joseon. On the other hand, the Gayageum, which is used in secular music, began in the era of the Goryeo Dynasty or the Lee Dynasty. So the Gayageum is about 1,000 years older than the koto.

(2) The music styles are different.

The guzheng and the gayageum have different national styles although they are both national musical instruments.

The guzheng embodies the musical styles of the Han Chinese people and various ethnic minorities.

The Gayageum, on the other hand, embodies the musical styles of the Joseon and Korean peoples.

(3) The musical works are different.

The musical compositions of guzheng are united with traditional Chinese national instrumental works, such as "Crying Zhou Yu", "Sobbing Yan Hui", "The World is the Same", "High Mountains and Flowing Water", "Autumn Moon in the Han Palace", "Cold Ducks Playing in the Water", "Complaints of Zhaojun", and "Phoenix", and so on.

The musical compositions of Gayageum, on the other hand, are harmonized with the traditional or folk national instrumental compositions of the Korean and Daehan nations, such as "Arirang", "Spring Comes to the Earth Year by Year" (selection from the Korean Opera, "The Girl Who Sells Flowers"), and so on.

(4) Different musical cultures.

The musical culture of guzheng is consistent with traditional Chinese culture. The performance art of guzheng is often combined with traditional poems, lyrics, songs, fugues and tunes (the art of opera), and *** together constitute the highlights of traditional culture.

The musical culture of the Gayageum, on the other hand, embodies traditional Joseon, Goryeo, and Daehan cultures, and is mainly characterized by the trinity of music, song, and dance.

(5) Music genres are different.

The guzheng has formed many different artistic genres, each with different stylistic characteristics. Gayageum, on the other hand, has formed many different artistic genres, each with its own characteristics.

Expanded Information:

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Brief introduction to the Gayageum:

The Gayageum is said to have been made by King Jasi of the Gaya Kingdom, modeled after the zither. The shape is almost the same as the zither, also a string and a column, now the use of the Gayageum has 21 strings, the scale arrangement of seven and five two, the use of the right play the left press of the technique is basically the same as the zither, with a unique artistic style characteristics and colorful playing skills. It can be played as a soloist, a repetitive player, an ensemble, and a singer. There are three types of Gayageum, namely, "Jungak Gayageum", "Sangsang Gayageum", and "21-string Gayageum" for modern use.

Introduction of Guzheng:

Guzheng, also known as Hanzheng, Qinzheng, Yaozheng, and Luanzheng, is a traditional instrument of the Chinese Han nationality, belonging to plucked instruments. It is one of the unique and important national musical instruments in China. It has a beautiful tone, wide range, rich playing skills, and quite strong expressive power, so it is loved by the general public. Nowadays, there are also small guzhengs, portable guzhengs, mini guzhengs, half guzhengs, new guzhengs, and twelve equal-tempered guzhengs. The guzheng is an ancient national musical instrument that accompanies China's long history of culture and was born and raised on the fertile yellow land. It is a plucked musical instrument, and its structure consists of a panel, a goose post (also called a zheng code in some places), strings, a front yakuzan, string pegs, a tuning box, a foot, a back yakuzan, a side plate, a sound outlet, a bottom plate, and a string piercing hole.

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Baidu Encyclopedia_Gayageum Baidu Encyclopedia_Guzheng