The nagak (also called na, sora, or godong)[1] is a wind-instrument made from a large seashell and played as a horn in Korean traditional music. It produces only a single tone and is used primarily in the military procession music called daechwita. The mouthpiece of the nagak is made by making a hole in the pointed end of the conch,[2] into which a mouthpiece is fitted.[1] This instrument is first recorded as being used in Goryeo.[3]
Nagak | |
Korean name | |
---|---|
Hangul | 나각 |
Hanja | 螺角 |
Revised Romanization | nagak |
McCune–Reischauer | nagak |
The shell used is that of a very large sea snail, Charonia tritonis, sometimes known as "Triton's trumpet".[citation needed] This shell is also used as a musical instrument in several other nations.[citation needed]