Soniccoture are offering 50% off Samulnori Percussion, a Korean percussion library, now only £29.50, (usually £79.00). There are deals on other Soniccoture Kontakt libraries too. The offers end January 3rd.
A Samulnori ensemble generally consists of four main instruments (samul: four things, nori: to play) Puk, Janngu, Jing and K’Kwaenggwari – each represents an element of nature: Jing: Wind | Janggu: Rain | Puk: Clouds | K’kwaenggwari: Lightning.
In a minimal ensemble there will be just one of each, but sometimes larger groups have four or more of each instrument.
Samulnori has its roots in farmer’s music (nong-ak), and includes not only music but dancing to celebrate harvest times. The music also stems from the shamanistic tradition of utdari pungmul, which is performed on these same instruments together with singing and wind instruments. In its modern incarnation, samulnori relies solely on the four instruments featured here.
JANGGU
An hourglass shaped drum, each side covered with a different kind of leather. One side produces a higher pitched sound and is struck with a thin bamboo reed, the other side is played with a mallet and produces a deeper sound.
PUK
Also known as ‘Buk’, this is a low a low pitched barrel drum, played with a single wooden mallet. It is about 30 cm in diameter, and made from a piece of hollowed out wood with a leather skin tied across each side. It provides the bass pulse of the group.
JING
A gong made of iron. Sometimes hung on a frame, or else held by it’s handle, it’s generally played with a large padded beater. It can also be played with the hands.
K’KWAENGGWARI
A very small hand-held gong held in the left hand and played with a small hard beater. It’s about 25 cm across made primarily of brass. The left hand is also used to damp the gong. This instrument leads the group, signaling transitions in the music.
Each Samulnori instrument features Humanise controls which can add random variations to the timing, velocity, tuning and volume of each hit.
This makes it possible to introduce the natural differences and organic feel of a human drummer to each drum. This makes it very quick to create stunningly lifelike ensemble percussion pieces.
Watch the overview video HERE.
Samulnori Percussion requires a free or full version of Kontakt 5.6.8 or later.
For more information on Samulnori Percussion, click here:
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