Yazheng
The yazheng is a Chinese string instrument. It is a long zither similar to the guzheng but bowed by scraping with a sorghum stem dusted with resin, a horsehair bow, or a piece of forsythia wood. The musical instrument was popular in the Tang Dynasty, but is today little used except in the folk music of some parts of northern China, where it is called yaqin.
Playing
The yazheng is generally played while seated on the floor. It has a tone similar to that of a viola, but raspier. Some contemporary players prefer to use an actual horsehair bow rather than a stick, believing the sound to be smoother. The instrument is used in court, aristocratic, and folk music, as well as in contemporary classical music and film scores.
The Korean ajaeng is derived from the yazheng.
In 2002, the People's Republic of China released a postage stamp featuring the instrument.
The zhengni is a similar instrument used by the Zhuang people of the southern Chinese region of Guangxi. After passing to Ryukyu, Japan, it became a yoshin. In Vietnam, it became a nha tranh in Nhã nhạc.Videos
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