Ajaeng
Ajaeng (아쟁 牙箏) is the only bow zither instrument among the Asian zither family (금쟁琴箏), played by rubbing 7 to 10 strings, which are arranged in order of pitch on a "goose foot" bridge (안족雁足), with a wood stick bow or horsehair bow. Origin Jungak Ajaeng (large Ajaeng) is 7 strings used in court music and the Sanjo Ajaeng (smaller ajaeng, 8 stirngs) used in folk music, there are also various types of ajaeng - 9,10,12 strings of both large and small body ajaengs, that have been modified for performing contemporary compositions.
In court music, the Ajaeng is responsible for the bass, and in various forms of traditional Korean music, it plays an important role as a lead instrument in folk music ensembles.
The early ajaeng, which was played for court music, originally had 7 strings. However, in modern times, a 9-string ajaeng is commonly used to perform music in various tunings.
When playing court music, the ajaeng is played with a wooden bow that does not have horsehair. When playing with a wooden bow, powdered rosin is rubbed onto the bow to increase friction, allowing the strings to be rubbed to produce sound.
Sanjo ajaeng (small ajaeng), used for performing folk music, is an instrument created in the modern era. Ajaeng was specifically made to perform the Yukjabaegi Tori(육자배기 토리), a traditional folk music style from the southern region of Korea. Originally, a 7-string ajaeng, modeled after the court version, was used, but it later evolved into an 8-string ajaeng with an additional string, and it continues to be played as an instrument for folk music to this day.
by Yoona Kim
