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Traditional Music and Dance

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Instrumental Music

Minyo or folk songs are orally transmitted by people through out korean history of 5,000 years.
Minyo or folk songs are combinations of indigenous melodies and simple texts that Koreans' daily customs such as language, ideologies, and emotions are reflected significantly the musical characteristics of Minyo are distinctive according to regions. Korean folk songs are divided into generally five catagories depending on regional styles.
Gyeonggi folk songs are transmitted in Gyeonggi Province including Seoul. This area the center of Korean culture politics and modernization over 600 years. Characteristically, there are more lyrical songs while other regional folk songs inclued a lot of active working songs reflection agricultural and fishing industries based sociery. Musically, Gyeonggi folk songs are well-structured, bright, and gentle.
Seodo folk songs are those of Hwanghae Province and Pyeongan Province that are now regions of North Korea. Compared with other regional folk songs, Seodo folk songs have relatively higher register and notes of the middle register are vibrated widely rendering a lamenting mood.With its unique vocal style, Seodo folk songs are often performed without instrumental accompaniment.
Dongbu folk songs are those of Gangwon Province, east of Taebaek Mountain, Hamgyeong Province, and Gyeongsang Province. Because the folk songs of several areas are categorized under the Dongbu folk songs, their vocal styles and modes are diverse. Therefore, currently scholars are attempting to categorize the Dongbu folk songs further based on different musical features.
These songs are mostly simple and bright.
Namdo folk songs are those of Jeolla Province and a part of Chungcheong Province. While other regional folk songs are mostly musically simple, folk songs of the Namdo region where the famous musical genres pansori and sanjo were created, are rich and dramatic. Some Namdo folk songs are used in pansori piece or developed by professional singers and are included as part of their repertories.
Jeju minyo are folk songs sung on the Jeju Island. They are more abundant in number than any other regional folk songs, and approximately 1600 songs are transmitted today. Jeju folk songs are characterized by their simple and unique melodic lines and rich texts.


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