Daegeum
Daegeum – A large transverse bamboo flute with six finger-holes and an additional hole covered by a buzzing membrane.
The daegeum has a mouthpiece with a closed end and a membrane hole. The membrane is collected from the inside of the reed stem and it produces a unique buzzing sound of the daegeum.
The daegum used extensively in both court music and folk music is one of the most treasured traditional instruments in Korea. It is a large transverse bamboo flute which can produce a large range of tone qualities, from lower mournful sounds to high-pitched tones. A membrane-covered hole on the back of the instrument gives the daegeum its characteristic raspy sound.
The daegeum is native to Korea and the largest of the samchuk (three bamboo) flutes from the Unified Shilla Dynasty (618-932). The daegeum has a range of two octaves plus a fourth and is constructed with one blowhole, six finger-holes, and a single open hole at the base of the instrument.