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AJAENG
Ajaeng is an instrument that makes its sounds by rubbing the string with the bow. This is similar to Gayageum and Gumungo but has a thicker and bigger body. Ajaeng is known to use from the Goryeo Dynasty. It has two kinds of Ajaeng - Jeongak Ajaeng, and Sanjo Ajaeng.
This Ajaeng entered into the Goryeo Dynasty from China. Its’ tail has bent under and has seven strings on Anjok, thicker than the strings of Gayageum. However, these days to add lower notes, it added two more strings and became new Ajaeng that has nine strings. For this Ajaeng, strings and the sounds become thicker going towards outside while having thinner sounds and strings going inward. The bow of the Jeongak Ajaeng used a branch of forsythia tree. When a player playing this instrument, putting the left side of the instrument with bent tail on the floor and put head part on the prop, and rub the strings using a long bow. It will make Jeongak Ajeng have tight, low, and deep sounds.
Sanjo Ajaeng is from Jeongak Ajaeng fix it newly usually played for song and accompaniment of dance. Used Paulownia tree for the front side and Chestnut tree for the backside. For the string, twisted the silk thread that makes it thicker than other string instruments. For Sanjo Ajaeng, it has props on both left and the right side called Damgye that makes strings to float from the floor and flat strings. Also, it has Budul, which is the bundle of strings.
Sanjo Ajaeng has higher sounds because it has thinner strings than Jeongak Ajaeng. Also, Sanjo Ajaeng can play faster and various melody since it has a less gap between its strings and short body. Sanjo Ajaeng plays while sitting down with cross legs. With the right hand, hold its bow to rub the strings to make sounds and with left hands press or shake the strings to make high and piteous sounds.