(South) Korean Folk Songs

[Chuck(G)]

My wife has acquired several Korean beginning flute students. She'd like to provide them with some familiar songs to play and has tasked me with finding same.

Unfortunately, the only Korean songs I know of are "Arirang" and the Korean National Anthem. Does anyone have sufficient knowledge of the culture to be able to suggest any others I might look for?

Please, no "Kim Jong Il is a Great Leader" type of songs.

PM or post here if you have any ideas.

Many thanks,
Chuck

[Tubadork]

http://www.ncktpa.go.kr/eng/aboutg/trad_vocal6.html
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000 ... nce&n=5174

[Chuck(G)]

Say, you are 'bout to learn a flute, and your instructor happens to be a player from Asia. If he or she chooses "The Stars and Stripes Forever" or "Amaging Grace" as a teaching material, how do you feel? Some might say that would be interesting, but some could have a not so positive reaction to that. Do you think an Asian instructor understands "Heart" of American sprits in those American traditional music? Well, I am a Japanase, and I do not understand that either though....

Kenneth, if I were just learning an instrument (flute, tuba, bazouki, it doesn't matter), I'd want to start with familiar melodies just to get my bearings. Indeed, there's a lot to be said for learning to play by ear at the same time as learning to read music, particularly with very young students.

My wife is a big believer in "A Tune a Day" and it certainly seems to work for her students.

Were I learning to play, say, trumpet, from a Korean instructor (with almost no common spoken language between us), I'd consider it very helpful to be given "Yankee Doodle", "Merrily we roll along, etc.", "Happy Birthday" to start off on as they were melodies that I already knew. At least I would know from my own ears that I was doing things correctly.

Indeed, I've started very young Mexican-born students off with "Las Mañanitas" as one song that they're sure to know in this day when no one seems to sing anymore.

"Arirang" I am aware of as being probably the single most popular Korean melody and I can't imagine anyone being offended by it. Would you be offended if a US teacher (with whom there was a language barrier) offered "Sakura" as a first melody? It's possible that I'm missing something significant here.

Still, if it seems to be an issue, my wife comes from a long line of missionaries working in Korea (her mother was born in Korea) and I'll simply recommend that she check with some of her relatives as to what may be most appropriate.

[sloan]

a radical thought:

If the idea is to "play tunes you already know" - why do you need sheet music for them?

I would encourage the young flute students to BRING TO THE LESSON a familiar folk tune to play for the instructor. A new one for every lesson.

No need to write it down (that can come later).

If necessary, the instructor can write it down for the student. Perhaps instructor and student can iterate this process.

the point of doing it this way is to get the student used to the idea that the instrument can be used to COMMUNICATE! And, that music doesn't necessarily start on the printed page.

[windshieldbug]

the point of doing it this way is to get the student used to the idea that the instrument can be used to COMMUNICATE! And, that music doesn't necessarily start on the printed page.

and, if they need to, they can learn it from someone else in the family. Music as communication, what a novel idea!

[LoyalTubist]

a radical thought:

If the idea is to "play tunes you already know" - why do you need sheet music for them?

Professor Harold Hill lives!

I learned how to play by ear relatively late in my tuba career--I was in college, the second time after being in the Army for seven years. I was always good with sightreading and I knew I had a pretty good ear, so I started playing pop songs on the radio, folk songs from other countries, and other music I heard during the day. It actually made me a better musician.