geomungo
Enable an agent to recognise a geomungo, assess its configuration and playability, and determine appropriate tuning, performance, handling and care actions.
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
6 bundles · 11 layers · 17 findings · 27 questions
Geomungo identity Establishes why an instrument belongs to this registry kind and how departures from conventional construction are interpreted.
Identification evidence
Connects attribution to observable construction and documentary evidence.
Supported attribution
Record the basis for calling the instrument a geomungo and any contradictions between its label and construction.
- Which observed features and documentary identifications support calling this instrument a geomungo? definition
- Who supplied the identification, and can their record be inspected? provenance
Variant boundaries
Handles modifications without turning every configuration into a separate registered kind.
Documented departures
Treat altered string arrangements and added mechanisms as departures requiring explanation, not automatic disqualification.
- Which string, fret, bridge or excitation features depart from the conventional geomungo configuration? boundary
- Does maker or specialist evidence identify the departure as a geomungo variant, a repair or a different instrument? provenance
Strings, frets and resonator Captures the physical paths that connect vibrating strings to pitch-control surfaces and the resonating body.
String paths
Identifies each string and its supporting geometry.
Named-string support map
Record string names together with a photographed orientation and their actual support paths.
- What local name and position identify each string when viewed from the recorded playing orientation? definition
- Which frets, movable bridge and attachment points support each string? measurement
Body and contact surfaces
Describes the resonator and the surfaces transmitting or constraining string motion.
Resonator and support integrity
Locate material changes, repairs and contact-surface defects relative to the string paths they could affect.
- What are the measured body dimensions, and which body materials are documented rather than visually guessed? measurement
- Where are cracks, loose joints or worn fret and bridge contact surfaces located relative to the strings? measurement
Tuning and pitch control Relates open-string settings and stopped pitches to a stated musical context.
Contextual tuning
Separates the measured configuration from the tuning intended for the session.
Current and target tuning
Associate every pitch target with a named string, reference and supporting instruction.
- What open-string frequencies are measured now, and under what reference pitch and conditions? measurement
- Which repertoire or teaching source specifies the target tuning for these named strings? provenance
Fret-dependent response
Assesses pitch production through controlled stopping observations.
Stopping and inflection
Record the string, fret and left-hand action alongside pitch observations so expressive variation is not mistaken for a defect.
- What pitch results at each tested string and fret under a described stopping action? measurement
- Does the observed pitch movement reflect the intended technique or an unwanted setup response? boundary
Suldae and playing setup Models how the performer contacts and supports the instrument during the intended technique.
Suldae contact
Connects accessory condition and contact technique to the resulting attack.
Controlled string excitation
Describe the suldae used and the intended plucking or striking action before judging attack noise.
- Which suldae and string-contact action are intended for this demonstration? action
- Is the observed contact sound expected for that technique, or does inspection indicate snagging or damaged contact surfaces? boundary
Support and access
Checks whether the playing arrangement supports the body and permits the required hand movements.
Usable playing position
Record the actual support arrangement and constraints on reaching strings and frets.
- How is the geomungo supported, and which body surfaces bear the load? measurement
- What adjustment to the playing arrangement would allow the intended suldae stroke and left-hand action without unintended contact? action
Condition and intervention Links observed faults and use restrictions to justified adjustments, repairs or conservation review.
Playability diagnosis
Uses repeatable, located observations to distinguish musical effects from faults.
String-specific symptoms
Associate tuning drift, buzzing or weak response with a named string and documented test conditions.
- Which string and fret positions reproduce the symptom, and does it also occur with the string open? measurement
- What evidence distinguishes a slipping attachment, displaced bridge, worn string or body defect from a technique-dependent effect? boundary
Adjustment and conservation
Determines permissible intervention from construction, condition and documented restrictions.
Justified next action
Specify the evidence required before retuning, moving a bridge, replacing a string or returning the instrument to performance.
- What maker, repairer or conservator guidance supports the proposed string replacement or tuning adjustment? provenance
- Should this geomungo be played, adjusted by a qualified person or withheld from playing pending assessment? action
Evidence and external alignment What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.
Reported evidence
Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.
Check these first
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these check these first hold for the sense of geomungo this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Kinds and varieties
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of geomungo this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Real-world use
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of geomungo this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Typical measurements
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of geomungo this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Failure modes and hazards
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of geomungo this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Regional variation
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of geomungo this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of geomungo this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Physical world and living systems
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- PHY
- Domain
- PHY.OBJ
What it is Filled
The geomungo is a traditional Korean six-string zither with a long wooden resonating body, raised frets and movable bridges, played with a short bamboo stick called a suldae.
In scope
- Geomungo identity and the boundary between conventional instruments and documented variants
- Relationships among strings, fixed frets, movable bridges and resonating body
- Tuning, string roles and playable pitch behaviour
- Suldae interaction, left-hand pitch control and playing setup
- Condition, adjustment history and readiness for playing or conservation
Out of scope
- Gayageum, guqin and other zither kinds as independent instrument models
- Musical compositions, recordings and notation systems as creative works
- Performers, makers and transmission lineages as people or social entities
- Suldae manufacture and material specifications as a separate accessory model
- Amplifiers, microphones and audio processing equipment
- Ownership transactions and museum collection administration
Why it exists Filled
Enable an agent to recognise a geomungo, assess its configuration and playability, and determine appropriate tuning, performance, handling and care actions.
Distinguishing features Filled
- Check for the conventional combination of six strings, sixteen fixed raised frets and three movable bridges; the combination is stronger evidence than string count alone. Reference: [National Gugak Center](https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/geomungo-national-gugak-center/RQFGDmwgsbykeA?hl=en).
- Check whether the string layout combines fret-supported and individually bridge-supported paths, rather than assuming one movable bridge per string. Reference: [Republic of Korea instrument description](https://www.korea.net/Events/Overseas/view?articleId=9554).
- Check for intended string excitation by a bamboo suldae through plucking and striking, supported by construction and performance evidence rather than the mere presence of a stick. Reference: [Republic of Korea instrument description](https://www.korea.net/Events/Overseas/view?articleId=9554).
- Require documented geomungo identification for instruments with altered string counts or mechanisms; resemblance to a long wooden zither alone does not settle the boundary.
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Confuse it with the gayageum or other zithers in descriptions.
- Misrepresent its origins in a way that takes sides in national disputes without evidence.
- Present a factory instrument as made by a named master without evidence.
Only with a human decision
- Restoring, selling or exporting a historic instrument.
May
- Describe the geomungo, its construction and its place in Korean music from reputable sources.
- Help a user learn, tune or record it.
Moral aspects Filled
- It is part of Korean intangible heritage and court and scholarly tradition.
- Makers and players deserve accurate credit.
Who is affected
- Korean musicians and communities
- Players and teachers
- Buyers
Owners Filled
Steward
The person who owns and plays it.
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q55724718 - registry parent class
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.geomungo
- Wikidata: Q713298 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q713298)
Direct properties required Filled
- Instrument identification evidence: Links to maker documentation, collection identification, photographs or specialist assessment
- String configuration: String count, material and ordered local string names; unknown values explicit
- Fret and bridge topology: Each string mapped to its fixed-fret path, movable bridge and attachment points
- Body dimensions: Length, width and depth in mm
- Open-string tuning: Frequency in Hz per named string, with reference pitch and measurement conditions
- Tuning context: Links to repertoire, performance tradition, teacher instruction or maker guidance
- Stopped-pitch response: Pitch in Hz or deviation in cents at specified string, fret and playing pressure
- Suldae compatibility: Available and suitable; unsuitable; damaged; absent; unassessed
- String-path condition: Observations of fraying, slipping, unwanted contact, bridge movement and fret wear, located by string
- Playing readiness: Playable as configured; adjustment needed; specialist assessment needed; conservation restriction; unknown
Recognition required Filled
- A long wooden zither with six silk strings, raised frets and three movable bridges.
- Played on the floor with a short bamboo stick held in the right hand.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- Identify a probable geomungo and flag construction that needs specialist attribution.
- Record and compare named-string tunings for a specified performance context.
- Map fret and bridge relationships before proposing a string-specific adjustment.
- Check suldae suitability and playing support before a demonstration.
- Investigate unwanted buzzing, tuning drift or poor pitch response through located observations.
- Prepare an evidence-based maintenance or conservation handoff.
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Silk strings and wood are sensitive to humidity and can crack or snap.
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- The revised Hornbostel-Sachs classification issued by the Musical Instrument Museums Online consortium provides an organological framework for classifying the geomungo as a board zither.
Context of use required Filled
- The geomungo is encountered in traditional Korean ensemble music, solo performance and instrumental teaching.
- It is also used in contemporary composition and experimental performance that draws on its plucked string sounds and percussive articulation.
Sources Filled
- Wikidata item Q713298: geomungo - identity and sense of the item
- Wikipedia: Geomungo - general description of the item
Open questions
- Which authoritative terminology source should govern string names, romanisation and positional ordering across historical and contemporary descriptions?
- Which documented geomungo variants belong within this registry entry, and what construction changes make their identification uncertain?
- Which tuning and playable-range references apply to particular repertoire traditions and instrument configurations?
- What maker-supported string specifications, tension limits and bridge-adjustment procedures can be recorded without assuming interchangeability?
- What conservation guidance establishes suitable environmental conditions and criteria for playing older geomungo instruments?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q713298/spec.json