Korean Drumming (Samulnori)

Date started: 2010.09.04
Place: Korean International School 4/F (small hall)
Time: Saturday 1:00PM ~ 2:00 PM
CAS Type: Creativity


I have started playing Korean Drumming when I was in primary school and have performed in many stages such as our school, universities, fairs, services and even in foreign places like Macau. While doing the Korean Drumming, we have had about 4~5 different teachers and also had teachers from Korea visiting us in the summer. All this experience has led us to becoming a more experienced player in the team.

2010.09.04

During our lessons in samulnori, we always asked our teacher when we would start learning the “상모” which is a hat with a paper-like string, used to make circular movements. Finally, today we started learning how to use it. We were very excited
We first assembled some parts together and learned how to attach the strings and metal parts. Then, we had to put this black cloth around our head and make sure our hair was neat and tucked in. The hat was tied securely around our head and another white cloth was used to further fix the hat tightly. Then, we started doing simple exercises to make sure we understood the “feeling” of how to turn our heads. It wasn’t very easy at first, but as we started to practice repeatedly, we started to get the hang of it. The lesson seemed to be very short, as putting on the hat took some time. However, this was a great start, and we were excited for our next lessons.

2010.10.30

Today, we had a Korean drumming performance in a fair held by KIS (korean international school). After attending to Saturday school, we had a quick rehersal at 12:00 and got changed to our korean drumming uniforms. We wore a new uniform today, which we ordered from Korea. This one was a lot comfortable, as the trousers had elastic bands, unlike our older one which had a string for tying aroudn our waist. The uniform was also purple with pastel red, blue and yellow coloured bands. I liked this uniform more, as it was more vibrant and attractive. Our older uniforms used to be black  with red, blue and yellow bands.
The performance started after the rehersals and we were the opening players. We played “설장구” which was using the drums and doing various movements while playing it. It was a different approach, as we always used to play “비상농악” in this fair every year. After finishing the performance, we had to stay until 5:00PM as we had 2 more performances to do. The first performance was going to be with a group of performers from korea, and they were taught by our very first teacher. We were glad to see our old teacher as it was about 6 years ago when we last met him.
When starting the performance, we were quite nervous, as we were unable to practice with the other performers beforehand. Therefore, this was a performance where we had to go with the “flow”. Soon, we started the performance, and this performance was very special indeed. ;D
Unlike our other performances, we were really energized and throughout the performance. It felt very “new” even though we did a lot of performances before. When the performance ended, me and my friends had bright smiles and we talked about how enjoyable the performance was.
Our last performance of the day was “비산농악” which was where we all stood in a circle with our instruments, doing certain movements. When our performance ended, we all came down off the stage and played the instruments all together which was a great way to end our day

2010~2011
We have been continuing on with some of the 상모, and we have also been doing another piece called 웃다리. This piece has upbeats, making it a very interesting piece to listen to. It was exciting to do this piece again, as we learned it before during summer. Until now, we have just carried out doing the same things and improved on it. We plan to do the 상모 in the international evening, as we have never performed it before.
During March, we had an international evening performance. We have always taken part in this event every year, and have been doing similar performances.

During the year, we also learned how to play the 난타 which was another way of playing the 북. This was played by placing the instrument on a wooden stand and using two sticks instead of one. It was important to feel the rhythm to the instrument while playing. Moreover, we also had the chance of performing in a Korean event held by the KIS. We attended this event every year, and this time we decided to perform several different things. This included the formation of going around in a circle and 설장구 which was using one instrument and playing many beats.

2012
This year, we continued with our Korean drumming of various types. Moreover, we were planning to attend the International evening again, and perform in the event.
Later in the month, one of our teacher came back from Korea, and we were able to learn the basics again. As we were going to graduate soon, the main focus during the Korean drumming sessions were now towards the younger students.
A year has already passed since performing in International evening. This year, we decided to add another element that we never had before. It was the 난타. We practiced every saturday after our practice with other students. Moreover, me and another two friends who were year 13s practiced for the 난타. As it was our first time performing it, we were all very nervous.

Other photos during Korean drumming through the 2 years

Reflection:
L1: I am confident in playing the drums as we have been playing them for a long time. However, I feel I need to improve on my coordinating skills, as I struggle with it when practicing.
I have been able to improve upon my coordinating skills, but it is still an area that can be further developed. Moreover, through the final performance, I have been able to reflect upon my skills in Korean drumming. 
L2: We will be learning the "상모" which is a type of hat with a paper-like string attached to it. There are not a lot of people who know how to use this item and this is used for the more "experienced" players. By doing this, we will be taking on a challenge, as it is not easy to use it.
I have been able to learn the 상모 but there is still more work that can be done to improve on it. I have also learned the 난타 and played this during the international evening, which was a challenge.
L3: Every Saturday from 1:00PM ~ 2:00PM, we will have Samulnori and when we have performances, we will plan out what to play and practice it. If not, we will just practice more skills and further develop them.
When practicing for a certain performance such as the international evening, we had to plan on when and where to meet, and had to initiate the practices. 
L4: As we are a korean drumming team, we have to work collaboratively with others when practicing for performances.
During Korean drumming, it was essential to work collaboratively with other people, as the activity involved playing the instruments in rhythm together. The activity cannot be carried out a an individual, as it would stop the flow of the rhythm. 
L5: I have attended to at least 3 sessions every month, and tried my best even though the new things we learned were hard.
I have attended to the session every 3 sessions per month until October 2011. However, my attendance fell afterwards. During 2012, my attendance rose again. Overall, I was committed to the activity. 
L7: We have brought "happiness" to people such as the third age, and also performed on stages for charity
I was involved in ethical issues for performing for many age groups. This involved performing for charities and for many other groups of people. 
L8: Using the "상모" will enable me to develop new skills. We will also be learning performances where we stand up and carry out the drumming. This will develop co-coordinating skills as we need to move our body and play the drums at the same time.
 상모 was definitely a new skill that I learnt during Korean drumming. Many other skills such as 난타 was gained during Korean drumming, and this allowed me to develop my understanding of different types of playing the instrument. 


Overall, I have been able to learn new skills and apply them to different performances. I would like to carry on developing my skill in 상모 and would want to perform it someday as well. I am happy to have performed the 난타 in the international evening, as it allowed me to undertake a new challenge. As Korean drumming has been a long term activity, I hope to continue it after I graduate school.