Taepyeongso (태평소 )

late 19th century
Not on view
The Taepyeongso, a double-reed instrument with a conical wood body and cup-shaped metal bell, finds its antecedents in Chinese and Middle Eastern wind instruments. Introduced to Korea in the 14th century during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392), its piercings sounds accompanied vernacular and court processional music.

Description: conical wood tube incised with three lines near each end, seven fingerholes, one thumbhole, brass bell, narrow end covered by brass sleeve into which slips a brass staple composed of flat disc topped by stem for reed; hanging separately by a short chain attached to disc is another flat disc with a small hole in the center to fit over stem; a larger chain attaches staple to bell. (J. Kenneth Moore, 1981)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Taepyeongso (태평소 )
  • Period: Joseon dynasty (1392-1910)
  • Date: late 19th century
  • Geography: Korea
  • Culture: Korean
  • Medium: Wood, metal, reed
  • Dimensions: L. 16 1/2 × Bell Diam. 4 15/16 in. (41.9 × 12.5 cm)
  • Classification: Aerophone-Reed Vibrated-double reed
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.147
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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