편종 編鐘 Pyeonjong METALLOPHONE Korea Music

The pyeonjong is constructed with two rows of 8 metal bells, thus giving the instrument a range of precisely 16 tones, a full octave below the pyeongyeong. The percussionist strikes the bells with an oxhorn mallet to produce the sound. The instrument was brought to Korea from the Song Dynasty in China around the 12th century, and was constructed in Korea beginning in the 15th century. The pyeonjong is used in various court music pieces, normally together with the pyeongyeong and the instrument is particularly important in Confucian ritual music.