The Daegeum
Korea’s great bamboo flute
The daegeum is a large transverse bamboo flute and one of the most iconic voices of Korean traditional music (gugak). It has a wide range and a distinctive, breathy tone — coloured by a buzzing membrane (cheong) that vibrates as the player blows, giving it a singing, almost vocal character.
It carries melodies across court music, folk traditions and newly composed works — from meditative stillness to vivid, driving lines. The daegeum is the instrument of Dr Hyelim Kim, who founded and leads the Shilla Ensemble.
Hear it live
Dr Hyelim Kim and the Shilla Ensemble perform daegeum music in concerts, festivals and recitals across the UK and Europe.
Learn to play the daegeum
We teach the daegeum one-to-one, in person in London or online via Zoom, for all levels including complete beginners.