What is a Haegeum?

A haegeum is a traditional Korean string instrument known for its expressive and voice-like tone. The instrument has two strings and a small resonating body, usually made from wood with a sound chamber covered by a thin skin. The haegeum is played with a bow that passes between the two strings, allowing the musician to create smooth and continuous sound.

The instrument is held vertically while the player uses one hand to control the bow and the other hand to adjust the pitch by lightly touching the strings. Because the haegeum has no fingerboard, the player’s fingers do not press the strings against a surface. This design allows for flexible pitch control and expressive techniques such as sliding notes and vibrato.

The haegeum is widely used in Korean traditional music and orchestras, where it often performs melodic lines with emotional expression. Its sound is sometimes compared to the human voice because of its ability to produce expressive phrasing and subtle tonal variations. Today, the haegeum continues to appear in traditional performances as well as modern musical collaborations and film soundtracks.