A jottae (a Korean bamboo flute) is a national woodwind instrument from the period of Koguryo. It was also called transverse flute as it is played transversely. It was first made in Koguryo. In Paekje and Silla, they introduced the Koguryo jottae to make several kinds of bamboo instruments. Later, around the period of Koryo and feudal Joson dynasty, it became a major tune instrument. Its mouthpiece is oval and very big, which requires high technical skills to play.
You play the jottae with its head on your left shoulder and with your lips at the mouthpiece. You make vibrato by means of the up-and-down movements of your left elbow connected with the jottae. It is characterized by the gentle, soft, sweet and elegant timbre.
The Korean bamboo flute widely played by the Korean people was improved into three kinds: ordinary jottae, high-pitched jottae and low-pitched jottae, and it developed into the one capable of playing modern music skillfully with its peculiar features unchanged.
The improved ones are made of wood from paktal trees and red sandalwood instead of bamboo, which guarantees scientific accuracy and unity in their making.
Today, the Korean bamboo flute is mainly used for solos and ensembles, and, in particular, it is used as a major instrument for elegant and plaintive tones in the mixed orchestral music of a Juche type.
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