The national Gugak Center will run courses on how to play traditional Korean music this autumn.

The 12-week courses run from Sept. 7 on Saturdays between 10:30 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. at the center in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

The center offers the lessons twice a year and has five different options: beginner and intermediate classes for the “gayageum,” a type of zither; the “janggu” hourglass drum; the “haegeum” fiddle; and “samulnori,” a type of ensemble percussion music. Classes for the haegeum have a waiting list, and samulnori classes require completion of the janggu class or prior ability with the instrument.

The cost of the courses is 30,000 won and instruction is given in both Korean and English. Participants will perform at the Mall Theater on Nov. 30, the last day of class.

To register, complete the application form downloadable from www.gugak.go.kr and submit it by Sept. 5.

For more information, contact the center via gugakwon@gmail.com or call (02)580-3054.

By Paul Kerry  (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)