Department of Korean Traditional Music

Department of Korean Traditional Music

Korean traditional music is intrinsic music based on national culture. One of the most prominent characteristics is the various performance techniques that combine rhythms. Even though similar scales of melody exist, the expression of music is different from elongation, vibration, and original breathing techniques. These techniques also mix regional characteristics with instrumental technique (Sigimsae).

The educational goal of CNU's Department of Korean Traditional Music is to develop, cultivate, and protect Korea's traditions. Many efforts have been conducted to do this, and the Department of Korean Traditional Music does so by offering lectures to students with theory or practice, composition, or Chae Bo of Korean music. Accordingly, Western and Oriental music are studied. One who attends classes is able to enlarge or develop micro and macro sight of music. There are three major parts: instrumental (Kayakum, Komunko, Haekum, Ahjaeng, Daekum, Taak, Piri), vocal music (songs, Pansori, chorus of Kayakum), and composition/theory (composition and theory). Additionally, there is another optional practice for students to expose themselves to various types of world music.

The Department's alumni can find jobs with the National Traditional Music Institute, Korean Classical Orchestra, Korean Classical Music Associates, publishing companies, or broadcasting companies. They may also pursue graduate studies in their fields of study.

Course list

Korean Traditional Vocal Music Major Courses

• Practice of Korean Traditional Vocal Music 1-8
• The Study on Korean Opera 1-8
• Chorus in Korean Traditional Music 1-8
• The Performance of Korean Traditional Music 1-8
• Sight Singing and Dictation 1-4
• The Practice on Vocal and Instrument Music 1-8
• Theory of Western Music 1-2
• An Introduction to Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• History of Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• Dictations of Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• The Practice on Reading Score 1-2
• History of Western Music 1-2
• Introduction to Korean Music
• Class Piano 1-8
• Harmony 1-2
• The Survey of Nam-do Music 1-2
• Introduction to Asian Music 1-2
• A Study of the Text of Korean Traditional Songs 1-2
• Computer Music 1-2
• A Study of the Court Music 1-2
• A Study of Korean Opera
• Pan-so-ri 1-2 
• Conducting
• Analysis for Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• A Study on the San-jo 1-2
• Introduction to Korean Music
• Chamber Music in Korean Traditional Music 1-8
• History of Western Music 1-2
• Introduction to Korean Music 
• Class Piano 1-8 
• Harmony 1-2 
• The survey of Nam-do Music 1-2 
• Introduction to Asian Music 1-2
• A Study of the Text of Korean Traditional Songs 1-2
• Computer Music 1-2 
• A Study of the Court Music 1-2 
• A Study of Korean Opera
• Pan-so-ri 1-2 
• Conducting
• Analysis for Korean Traditional Music 1-2 
• A Study on the San-jo 1-2
• Minor Practice 1-8 
• The Survey of Korean Musical Instrument and its Practice 1-2
• The Study on Planning 
• The Educational Theory of Korean Traditional Music
• Korean Traditional Music Literature 
• The Study on Korea Shaman Music 
• The Studies in Folk Music 
• Ethnomusicology 
• Studies in Temporary Music 1-2 
• Musical Aesthetics 
• Study on Musicology

Teaching Profession Courses

• Theory of Music Education
• Research of Text and Teaching Methods of Music Education
• Minor Practice 1-8
• The Survey of Korean Musical Instrument and its Practice 1-2
• The Study on Planning
• The Educational Theory of Korean Traditional Music 
• Korean Traditional Music Literature 
• The Study on Korea Shaman Music
• The Studies in Folk Music
• Ethnomusicology
• Studies in Temporary Music 1-2
• Musical Aesthetics
• Study on Musicology
• Theory of Music Education
• Research of Text and Teaching Methods of Music Education

Korean Traditional Instrumental Music Major Courses

• Orchestra in Korean Traditional Music 1-8
• Practice of Korean Traditional Instrumental Music 1-8
• The Performance of Korean Traditional Music 1-8 
• Sight Singing and Dictation 1-4 
• The Practice on Vocal and Instrument Music 1-8 
• Theory of Western Music1-2
• An Introduction to Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• History of Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• Dictations of Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• The Practice on Reading Score 1-2

Korean Traditional Music Theory and Composition Major Courses

• Composition and Theory of Korean Traditional Music 1-8
• Korean Music Composition Practice and Seminar 1-8 
• Reading in Korean Musical Sources 1-8 
• Sight Singing and Dictation 1-4 
• The Practice on Vocal and Instrument Music 1-8 
• Theory of Western Music 1-2 
• An Introduction to Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• History of Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• Dictations of Korean Traditional Music 1-2 
• The Practice on Reading Score 1-2
• Introduction to Korean Music
• Chamber Music in Korean Traditional Music 1-8
• History of Western Music 1-2 
• Introduction to Korean Music 
• Class Piano 1-8 
• Harmony 1-2 
• The Survey of Nam-do music 1-2 
• Introduction to Asian Music 1-2 
• A Study of the Text of Korean Traditional Songs 1-2
• Computer Music 1-2 
• A Study of the Court Music 1-2
• A Study of Korean Opera
• Pan-so-ri 1-2
• Conducting
• Analysis for Korean Traditional Music 1-2
• A Study on the San-jo 1-2 
• Minor Practice 1-8
• The Survey of Korean Musical Instrument and its Practice 1-2
• The Study on Planning 
• The Educational Theory of Korean Traditional Music
• Korean Traditional Music Literature 
• The Study on Korea Shaman Music
• The Studies in Folk Music 
• Ethnomusicology
• Studies in Temporary Music 1-2
• Musical Aesthetics
• Study on Musicology