A Study on the Lee Gyugyeong's Dialetic Theory of Traditional Music

This study aims to examine the dialectic theory on traditional music in Oju yeonmun jangjeon sago presented by Lee Gyugyeong, an intellectual in the late Joseon Dynasty. It focuses on his approach to the '12-tone theory', the 'length, circumference, and diameter of the hwangjong-pitch pipe', the 'method of using climate and seasons', and 'yuljun' (律準, lit. rule). First, the 12-tone theory was based on the Eastern philosophy proved through the theory of Bang lee Ji, a Chinese Ming scholar. The relationship between yin and yang was an important factor in this theory. In particular, this theory was intended to prove the hwangjong-pitch pipe in the Lüshi Chunqiu, an old Chinese literature. Lee Gyugyeong asserted that it meant the distance between the first-note and the last-note hole of the hwangjong -pitch pipe, and interpreted that seven notes could be produced by opening the hole within the distance one by one. Secondly, regarding the length, circumference, and diameter of the hwangjong -pitch pipe, Lee Gyugyeong emphasized that the circumference and diameter should be obtained through the bottom area and volume of the hwangjong-pitch pipe, and the circumferential ratio of 3.14 should be used. Therefore, it can be assumed that the hwangjong-pitch pipe suggested by Lee Gyugyeong was 3.46 in diameter, 10.86 in circumference, 9 pun (分) in bottom area, and 810 pun in volume. Third, Lee Gyugyeong thought that it was a very practical way to determine a pitch pipe using climate and seasonal factors. In particular, it might have been important for those who made a living in agriculture. Finally, while experiencing yanggeum (hammered dulcimer), Lee Gyugyeong saw that it was appropriate to set the tone based on the string. Therefore, to confirm this, he dialectized the music theory of ancient Chinese scholars and them applied it to music at the time. Therefore, he emphasized that the method of setting tones based on strings should be made based on 12 tones and revealed that geomungo (plucked zither) was used to set tones based on its strings in Joseon Dynasty.