10Min-an-úk, from manuk, a fowl.
The strings are two in number and extend from the tuning pegs through two holes in the neck and over the finger board and the sounding box to an elevated piece left on the sounding piece. An interesting feature of these strings is that they are the central part or core of a small vine11 and give out rather sweet tones, though not so loud as catgut.
11Bís-lig.
Projecting from the end of the sounding box, and forming one continuous piece with it, is an ornamental piece carved into a semblance of the favorite fowl head.
The guitar is held like guitars the world over, and the playing is performed by twanging the strings with a little plectrum of bamboo or wood.12
12As to the tuning and modulating of the instrument I can give no information. The matter requires further study.
The quality of the music is soft and melancholy, wholly in minor keys and of no great range, probably not exceeding one octave. As far as I can judge it bears a resemblance to Chinese music. Various tunes are played on both forms of guitar according to the caprice and skill of the performer.13
13The following are the names of some of the melodies: Di-u-wá-ta ko (Oh, my familiar spirit), a-yáu-u-yáu-á (don't, oh, don't), to-láñg-it (the sky), i-ka-nuñg-úd, ta-ta-lí-buñg, pan-in-ó-ug, mi-a-pí tin-ig-bás-ai, du-yúg-dú-yug, ta-ga-lín-dug, tiñg-ga-sau, ma-sú-gud, pa-má-bá to ba-ku-ta, da-gí-tan.
There are no special occasions for playing this guitar. It is not played by women nor is it used as an accompaniment for singing. The performer takes up the instrument as the whim prompts him and in the semidarkness plays his rude, melancholy tune.