Guqin Playing Technique - Basic Sounds

Basic Sounds

The music of the qin can be categorised as three distinctively different "sounds." The first is san yin 〔散音〕, which means "scattered sounds." This is produced by plucking the required string to sound an open note Listen. The second is fan yin 〔泛音〕, or "floating sounds." These are harmonics, in which the player lightly touches the string with one or more fingers of the left hand at a position indicated by the hui dots, pluck and lift, creating a crisp and clear sound Listen. The third is an yin 〔按音 / 案音 / 實音 / 走音〕, or "stopped sounds." This forms the bulk of most qin pieces and requires the player to press on a string with a finger or thumb of the left hand until it connects with the surface board, then pluck. Afterwards, the musician's hand often slides up and down, thereby modifying the pitch. This technique resembles that of playing a slide guitar across the player's lap, however, the technique of the qin is very varied and utilises the whole hand, whilst a slide guitar only has around 3 or 4 main techniques Listen to Pei Lan.

According to the book, Cunjian Guqin Zhifa Puzi Jilan, there are around 1,070 different finger technqiues used for the qin, with or without names. It is therefore, the only instrument in Chinese music, or even Western music, which uses the most finger techniques . Most are obsolete, but around 50 or so are sufficient to know in modern practice.