A Study of Similarity Between Sujecheon and Dongdong in the Yeoneum Technique: Focusing on the Melody of the Piri

During the Joseon Dynasty, the ritual music piece Sujecheon was known as Bitgarak Jeongeup, and Dongdong was referred to as Three Garak Jeoneup.From their titles alone, these two compositions suggest a connection.This study investigated the similarities between the two pieces by comparing and discussing their musical characteristics, focusing specifically on the Piri melodies.The analysis of the similarities in the yeoneum technique of both Sujecheon and Dongdong, centered on the Piri melodies, yielded the following results.First, the Sujecheon and Dongdong scales used the Gyemyeon-jo and Pyeong-jo at the same time.Sujecheon expressed the Gyemyeon-jo centered on Namlyeo and Pyeong-jo centered on Imjong, and Dongdong expressed the Gyemyeon-jo centered on Taeju and Pyeong-jo centered on Hwangjong.Second, the Janggo pattern of Sujecheon and Dongdong was the same as 'gi-deck kung, gi-deck, kung, deongdeoreureu.'However, Sujecheon had an irregular beat structure; in contrast, Dongdong had a standardized beat structure of 6, 3, 3, and 6 beats.Third, Sujecheon consisted of four movements and 20-rhythm with an introduction, development, turn, and conclusion, while Dongdong was composed of a single movement and 8-rhythm without such a structure.Fourth, Sujecheon was accompanied by Mugo, Jeongeupsa, Cheoyongmu, and wind instrument accompaniment, while Dongdong was used with Abakmu and wind ensemble.Fifth, Sogeum, Daegeum, Piri, Janggo, Jwago, Ajaeng, and Haegeum were commonly played in Sujechoen and Dongdong, while Hayngpiri was added in Sujechoen.Both Sujecheon and Dongdong were performed with wind ensembles, featuring yeoneum techniques as their characteristics.Sixth, the Piri melodies of Sujecheon and Dongdong were divided into four types for examination: the type where the melodies of the two pieces were similar, the type where they were entirely different, the type where the measures of the melodies pushed back, and type where the sequence of the melodies was reversed.As a result, the melodies of Sujecheon and Dongdong have been proven to be either similar or to show similar melodies that appear with a difference in measures.