The ''danso'' (also spelled ''tanso'') is a Korean notched,
end-blown vertical
bamboo flute
The bamboo flute, especially the bone flute, is one of the oldest musical instruments known. Examples of Paleolithic flutes, Paleolithic bone flutes have survived for more than 40,000 years, to be discovered by archaeologists. While the oldest f ...
used in Korean folk music. It is traditionally made of
bamboo
Bamboos are a diverse group of mostly evergreen perennial plant, perennial flowering plants making up the subfamily (biology), subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family, in th ...
, but since the 20th century it has also been made of plastic. It was imported from China in the 19th century, where it is called duanxiao (). The Korean name is the transliteration of the Chinese one, a short variant of the
xiao.
The flute has four finger holes and one thumb hole at the back. The playing range is two octaves, going from low G to high G. The lower sounds are made by just blowing, whereas the higher ones are made by difference in the strength of the blowing. The tone is clear, and it is also used as a solo instrument, but is mainly used for ensemble with other instruments in
chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of Musical instrument, instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a Great chamber, palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music ...
.
The ''dan'' in the instrument's name means "short", and ''so'' refers to the notched, end-blown vertical bamboo flute. To match its name, It is the shortest wind instrument played vertically.
Another Korean end-blown vertical bamboo flute, the ''
tungso
The ''tungso'' (; sometimes ''tongso'', transliteration of its Chinese name of '' dòngxiāo'') is a Korean notched, end-blown vertical bamboo flute used in Korean traditional music. It is similar to the '' danso'', but longer and larger. The ha ...
'', is longer.
Gallery
File:Black bamboo danso.jpg, Ojuk danso ( Black bamboo danso)
File:Danso (39.3cm).jpg, Traditional danso
File:Okdanso.jpg, Okdanso (Jade
Jade is an umbrella term for two different types of decorative rocks used for jewelry or Ornament (art), ornaments. Jade is often referred to by either of two different silicate mineral names: nephrite (a silicate of calcium and magnesium in t ...
danso)
See also
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Bamboo musical instruments
Bamboos natural hollow form makes it an obvious choice for many musical instruments. In South and South East Asia, traditional uses of bamboo the instrument include various types of woodwind instruments, such as flutes, and devices like xylopho ...
*
Traditional music of Korea
Korea has produced music () for thousands of years, into the modern day. After the division of Korea in 1945, both North and South Korea have produced their own styles of music.
Traditional music () produced by Korea includes court music, folk ...
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Quena
The quena (hispanicized spelling of Quechua ''qina'', sometimes also written ''kena'' in English) is the traditional flute of the Andes. Traditionally made of cane or wood, it has 6 finger holes and one thumb hole, and is open on both ends or ...
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Traditional Korean musical instruments
Traditional Korean musical instruments comprise a wide range of string, wind, and percussion instruments.
String
Korean string instruments include those that are plucked, bowed, and struck. Most Korean string instruments use silk strings, except ...
*
Tungso
The ''tungso'' (; sometimes ''tongso'', transliteration of its Chinese name of '' dòngxiāo'') is a Korean notched, end-blown vertical bamboo flute used in Korean traditional music. It is similar to the '' danso'', but longer and larger. The ha ...
*
Xiao (flute)
The ''xiao'' (, pronounced ) is a Chinese vertical end-blown flute. It is generally made of bamboo. It is also sometimes called ''dòngxiāo'' (), ''dòng'' meaning "hole." An ancient name for the xiāo is ''shùzhúdí'' (, lit. "vertical ...
References
Korean musical instruments
End-blown flutes
Bamboo flutes
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