Guqin How to Play #2

7/30/2019 Guqin How to Play #2

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Guqin How-to 2

FINGER TECHNIQUE AND NOTATION

http://peiyouqin.com/notation1.html

Guqin Playing And Notation General Introduction

The Guqin is a Chinese musical instrument, also called a seven-stringedzither. It has existed in Chinese culture for 3000 years, and was the favoriteinstrument of the literary class. For playing guqin, the finger technique is ofthe highest importance. Guqin has a unique system of notation all its own.Each note is written in abbreviated Chinese characters, so called "Jian-Zi."This site is about how to read notation for playing the Guqin.

Here is one example , readed as "Da Zhi Qi Hui Tiao Wu Shuan." It is asymbol that represents one note. This symbol means that you use your leftthumb to press down the 5th string on the 7th Hui (dot) and use your rightindex finger to strum the 5th string. For more detail explination of notation,please see Gu Qin Yin (Song of Gu Qin) Finger Technique Explanation.

A, Notation of Strings

Guqin has 7 strings, from farthest to nearest, from the thickest one to thethinnest one, this notation is represented by Chinese numbers from one toseven.

B, The Different Types of Sound:

Guqin has 3 kinds of sound: Fan Yin, An Yin and San Yin.

Fan Yin (Harmonics) -Left fingers slightly touch the strings to stop thevibration played by right hand. The sound is light and bright.

An Yin (Fundamental tone) -Left fingers press down the strings and the righthand plays. The sound is solid.

San Yin (Open String)-without touching or press down the strings and theright hand plays. The sound is the nature sound (natural harmonics) of thewhole strings.


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Notation:

Name: San Yin (Loose)Explanation: The left hand does not touch the strings. All the sound comesonly from plucking or strumming by the right hand. When there is a continuingSanYin in one piece, the notation will only show in the first note and will omit ituntil the next type of sound shows up.Listen to this technique

Notation:

Name: Fan Yin (Touch)Explanation: 2 ways of Fan Yin: 1, The left hand fingers lightly touch thestrings. At the same time, the right hand plucks or strums the strings so that itcreates a very clear and crisp sound.

2, The left hand fingers are put on the correct Hui position but not touching thestring and leaving about one rice space between the fingers and strings. Atthe same time, the right hand plucks or strums the strings so that the vibratingstrings touch the left fingers to create Fan Yin. This is used in the situationthat the right hand has to strum or pluck several strings to create continuingFan Yin. (See Guenfu)

This notation indicates to start using Fan Yin.This notation indicates to stop using Fan Yin.

"o" This notation is used above the simple note number to indicate that the

note should be played using Fan Yin.Listen to this technique


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Notation:

Name: An Yin (Press)Explanation: An Yin is a solid sound. The left hand presses the strings downtightly and the right hand plucks or strums the strings. The notation of An Yinis usually omitted. The position of the left hand fingers on the Hui is the way todecide the sounds. Therefore, the notation of Hui position is the way tomemorize the notes.Listen to this technique

C, Notation of Hui:

There are 13 Hui positions (marked by 13 dots on the body of the instrument)on the Qin from the right to the left, from one to thirteen. The notes are,

The distance between every two Hui is divided into 10 sections, with notes as

Examples of the combination of Hui notes:

This notation indicates the 3rd or 4th section above the 13th Hui.

This indicates the second section of the 6th Hui.

This indicates the eight section of the 10th Hui.


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http://peiyouqin.com/bodyposition.html

Main Points of Body Position

when getting ready to play the Qin:1, Sit straight with your heart between the 4th and 5th Hui. Legs naturallyopen about 1 foot apart. Feet parallel.

2, Concentrate your mind. Relax your shoulders. Do not lean forward orbackward and do not swing your body.

3, Elbows should be naturally hanging down. Position your right hand on the1st Hui area and your left hand on the 7th Hui area with your wrists flat andthe angle of your elbows at 90 degrees. If it is not 90 degrees, adjust the

height of your chair. Never rest your wrists on the qin board. This way your Qi(energy) will float smoothly to your finger tips.

Main Points of Playing Qin:

1, The strength of the Right hand needs to be natural, don't be too strong ortoo weak. Avoid too much pressure.

2, On the right hand, use the finger tips. Nail length should be about 2mm for

the right hand, and trim the nails of left hand.3, The left hand's movement has the combination of loose and tight, emptyand solid. When pressing down, it is solid. When gliding, it is loose and emptybut tight and solid at the end when arriving at an indicated Hui position.

4, The left hand has many movements which are essential to the performancequality, such as Yin, Ruo, Chuo, Zhu, Zhuang, Do, Shang, Xia.... ect,.However, do not use these movements all the time to try to create a variety ofperforming effects. Each vibrato and upward or downward technique needs tobe clearly identifiedand used appropriately.

5, Move your energy naturally, do not make stiff or hard movements.


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6, Always keep your mind concentrated and calm. Use your heart to listen tothe music which is also a way to accomplish and train your nature andtemperament.


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The Playing And Notation of The Right Hand - 1

Please notice that "pluck" means pull the string toward you (or away from youif using the thumb) with the tip of your finger and nail. "Strum" means push thestring away from you (or toward you if using the thumb) with the back of yournail.

Video: 8 basic right hand finger techniques

8 basic right hand finger techniques: Click the pictures for bigger image.

Notation:Name: BExplanation: Using your thumb to strum the string.

Notation:Name: TuoExplanation: Using your thumb to pluck the string.

B and Tuo are used more often on the 6th and the 7th strings.


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Notation:Name: MuExplanation: Using your index finger to pluck the string.

Notation:Name: TiaExplanation: Using your index finger to strum the string. When playing, slightlybend the index finger and put your index finger tip against your thumb nail tipto strum the string.

When using Mu and Tia, be sure your elbow is hanging flat and do notagainst your wrist on the instrument.

Notation:Name: Gou


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Explanation: Using your middle finger to pluck the string. Slightly bend themiddle finger, and put more strength on the finger tip. After pluck the string,stay your middle finger on the next string and not move away yet.

Notation:Name: TiExplanation: Using your middle finger to strum the string.

Gou and Ti are a little bit stronger than Mu and Tia. Also keep your elbowhanging flat.

Notation:Name: D

Explanation: Using your ring finger to pluck the string.


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Notation:Name: ZhaiExplanation: Using your ring finger to strum the string.

The ring finger has less power, therefore it has to practice more to getstrength. D and Zhai are lighter than Mu, Tia, Gou and Ti.


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Click the pictures for bigger image or video.

Notation:Name: Mu TiaExplanation: The combination of Mu and Tia, the index finger plucks thestring first then strums.

Notation:

Name: Gou TiExplanation: The combination of Gou and Ti, the middle finger plucks thestring first then strums.


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Notation:Name: Mu GouExplanation: The combination of Mu and Gou, on the same string, do Mufirst then Gou, it creates 2 gradually continuing sounds. See video of Di Juan().

Notation:Name: Di Juan()Explanation: Same as Mu Gou but faster.

Notation:Name: Bi Su()Explanation: On the same string, use Ti Mu Tia to play a fast continuing 3

sounds. Use the tip of the nails, don't put them too deep into the string.


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Notation:Name: Dun Su()Explanation: On the same string, do Mu Gou first, a slowly and graduallycontinuing sound, then following with Ti Mu Tia, a faster continuing sound.

Notation:Name: Chng Su ()Explanation: On the same string, do the Mu Tia, Mu Gou 4 sound firstthen follow with the T Mu Tia 3 continuing sound.

Notation:Name: LuExplanation: On the same string, use the ring finger, middle finger and indexfinger to do Zhai, Ti, Tia 3 continuing sound. When playing this technique,


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bend the 3 fingers slightly, then strum the string gradually. Try to make itstrong and clear.

Notation:Name: Bn Lu (half Lu)Explanation: Same technique as Lu but one sound less than Lu. On thesame string, use either Zhai Ti or Ti Tia.

Notation: (or)Name: R YiExplanation: R Yi literally means "as one." When there are 2 strings that canbe created an n Yin and a Sn Yin with the same sound at one time, use the

middle finger or index finger (usually use the middle finger) to strum the 2strings together.


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Notation:Name: Shuang TnExplanation: Same as R Yi but play twice. Before strumming the string,position the index and middle finger above the thumb, do Ti then Tia. Sometablature will indicate a "Shuang Tn" follow by a "R Yi," which reminds the

player that making the two previous sound as one sound.


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Click the pictures for videos.

Notation:Name: BoExplanation: Cup the index, middle and ring fingers together and pluck thestring(s) (one or two) strongly in and fast to the left.

Notation:Name: L (or C)Explanation: Straighten the index, middle and ring fingers together and strumthe string(s) (one or two) strongly out and fast to the right.


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Notation:Name: Bo LExplanation: Do Bo first with lighter strength then L later with strong strength.

Notation:Name: FExplanation: After doing L or Bo L , flatten together of the index,middle andring finger and place them on the strings to stop the sound.

Notation:Name: Cuo

Explanation: Using the index finger to strum (Tia) and the middle finger topluck (Gou) two strings together. The strength must be the same.


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Notation:Name: D CuoExplanation: Using the thumb and middle finger (Tuo, Gou) to pluck twostrings(either the 1st and 6th or the 2nd and 7th) at the same time.Thestrength must be the same.

Notation:Name: Fn CuoExplanation: The opposite of Cuo, usually used after Cuo. Using the thumband middle finger (B, Ti) or the index and middle finger (Mu, Ti) to strumand pluck two strings together.


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Notation:Name: D YunExplanation: Use D, Tio or Gou, Tio back and forth on 2 strings andconsisting of six notes. First D, then Tio, a slight pause, then rapidly repeatthe same movement twice. Fingers must be flexible to create continuous

sound.

Notation:Name: LExplanation: The index finger lightly and rapidly strums 2 or 3 strings insuccession.

Notation:Name: Gun

Explanation: T (the ring finger) over several strings in succession, from the7th to the 2nd string or form the 6th to the 1st string. Starting with a fast and


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strong strength then ended with a slow and soft movement. The energystarted from the elbow to move the right hand forward. Make sure it's acontinuous and clear sound.

Notation:Name: FExplanation: The opposite of Gun but using the index finger to pluck stringsfrom 1 to 6 or 2 to 7. Starting with a slow and soft strength and ending with afast and strong movement.

Notation:Name: Gun FExplanation: The combination of Gun and F. Started from the left inside tothe right outside and back to the left inside, like a circle.


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The Playing And Notation of The Left Hand - 1

Playing Guqin, the left hand controls the precise pitch of the sound. Thereforthe position of the fingers is very important. There are 6 basic fingertechniques of the left hand: Yin, Rou, Chuo, Zhu, Shang and Xia. Under these6 basic techniques, there are a number of variations. The variations are basedon the length and the strength of vibrato, creating different atmospheres.Player needs to have an understanding of the piece of music first, so that onecan present the appropriate feeling by using different finger techniques.

A, Press String Position of The Left Hand: Click the pictures for bigger image.

There are certain points on the finger tips and fingers that is or are used forplaying pressing down (An-yin) or harmonic (Fan-yin) sound. Please click thepicture for bigger image.

Notation:Name: Da Zhi (Thumb)Explanation: Slightly bend the thumb and using the side of the thumb, wherethe nail meets the skin or the side of knuckle of thethumb, press down thestring. If pressing down 2 strings at one time, use both of the side of the nailand knuckle.


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Notation:Name: Shi Zhi (Index finger)Explanation: Naturally position the index finger on the string. It is used moreoften in Fan Yin, which is just lightly touching the string. Sometimes usedtogether with the thumb.

Notation:Name: Zhong Zhi (Middle finger)Explanation: Naturally position the middle finger on the string. It is used moreoften on the 1st string.

Notation:Name: Ming Zhi (Ring finger)Explanation: Slightly bend the ring finger and using the left side where the nailmeets the skin to press down the string. Do not use the tip of the finger topress the string and do not use the middle finger to try to help to press downthe ring finger. Thumb should not be raised up.


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Notation:Name: Gui (Kneel)Explanation: Kneeling the ring finger on the string. Using side of the back ofthe nail or back of the 1st knuckle to press down the string. It is usually usedabove the 5th Hui.


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The pictures shows the techniques using the thumb, but the techniques canalso be perform using the index, middle and ring fingers.

6 Basic Finger Techniques of The Left Hand: Click the pictures for videos.

Notation:Name: YnExplanation: A vibrato movement. A finger of the left hand presses down astring, and after a finger of the right hand plays the string, the left hand quicklymoves down (to the left) and up, 2 to 3 times and back to the spot one startedwith. The strength of this movement is strong at the beginning but graduallyreducing at the end. The distance between each up and down is not biggerthan 1/5 of the distance to the next Hui position.

Notation:Name: NoExplanation: A vibrato movement. A finger of the left hand presses down astring, and after a finger of the right hand plays the string, the left hand quicklymoves up (to the right) and down, 2 to 3 times and back to the spot one

started with. The strength of this movement is strong at the beginning but


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gradually reducing at the end. The distance between each up and down is notbigger than 1/4 of the distance to the next Hui position

Notation:Name: ChoExplanation: A finger of the left hand, before pressing down a string on theindicated spot, starts about 5mm. below (to the left) of that spot, and quicklyglides to the right, till the place indicated is reached.

Notation:Name: ZhExplanation: It is the opposite of Cho. The movement starts about 5mm.

above (to the right) of the indicated spot, and quickly glides to the left, till theplace indicated is reached.


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Notation:Name: Shng (ascending)Explanation: While the right hand plucks the string that the left hand haspressed down, the left hand glides up to the spot that is indicated. Thepressing and moving of the left hand should be solid so that it will create avery clear sound. If there is one ascending after another ascending, thenotation will be "" (r Shng , up twice). In Guqin tableture, only the finaldestination of r Shng is indicated. So the player has to listen to the toneand move his or her finger up to a proper position for the first ascending tone.Each ascending tone is approximately one whole step, for example, Do- Re-Mi, or Re-Mi-Sol, or Mi- Sol- La, or Sol-La-Do, or La-Do-Re.

Notation:Name: Xi (descending)Explanation: opposite of "Shng." While the right hand plucks the string thatthe left hand has pressed down, the left hand glides down to the spot that it isindicated. If there is one descending after another descending, the notationwill be "" (r Xi, down twice). Same as r Shng that the tableture onlyindicate the final desitination. So the player has to listen to the tone and movehis or her finger down to a proper position for the first descending tone. Eachdescending tone is approximately one whole step. For example, Do- La- Sol,or La- Sol- Mi, or Sol- Mi-Re, or Mi- Re- Do, or Re- Do- La.


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The pictures shows the techniques using the thumb, but the techniques canalso be perform using the index, middle and ring fingers.Click the pictures to view videos.

Notation:Name: TagExplanation: Same as "Xi" but the movement of the left hand is slower. Itis a slow descend

Notation:Name: Zhng (to strike against)Explanation: When the left hand presses down a string, and then after theright hand has pulled the string, the left hand moves very quickly up (to theright) about 1/5 - 1/2 portion of to next Hui position, and quickly moves back tothe spot indicated. The strength of moving up should be timid and fast and thedown moving should be strong, solid and fast as well.


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Notation:Name: Shuang Zhng (to strike against twice)Explanation: Do twice of "Zhung."

Notation:Name: Xu Zhung

Explanation: Xu literally means empty, unfilled, therefore a Xu Zhung isto have a Zhung technique happen after a non- plucked sound. For example,the left hand may do a Zhung after an upward moving technique (Shng orJng ), or a downward moving technique (Xi or F ) or a vibrato technique(Yn or No ) has been performed.

Notation:Name: Fn zhung (Opposit of Zhung)Explanation: Same technique as "Zhng" but moves the left hand very quicklydown first (to the left) about 1/5 - 1/2 of to the next "Hui" position and movesback quickly to the spot indicated. It is like a faster motion of Tu f.


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Notation:Name: D

Explanation: While the right hand pulls the string, simultaneously the left handmoves up and back to the hui position quickly. It is similar to Zhung, butZhung is done after the right hand pulls the string.

Notation:Name: Hun,,orExplanation:[]:,,. Slides downover to the hui position a little bit, then slightly no (once or twice), and thenslides up to above the hui position a little bit.


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Notation:Name: Wagla (back and forth)Explanation:(). When a finger of the left handpresses down a string and after the right hand has pulled the string, the lefthand moves down to the next sound position to the left and then moves back

to where it started; and repeats this movement twice or three times to producea total of 4 or 6 sounds. (ex. 5,3,5,3,5,3).

Notation:Name: Fen KaiExplanation: When a finger of the left hand presses down a string and afterthe right hand has pulled the string, the left hand glides up to the next Huiposition to the right; and then while the right hand pulls the string again, theleft hand glides back to where it started, as the action of "Zh."


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The Playing And Notation of The Left Hand 4

Click the pictures to view the videos.

Notation:Name: Jn f (advancing and returning)Explanation: When a finger of the left hand presses down a string, and afterthe right hand has pulled the string, the left hand glides up to the right to acertain point indicated or to one pitch higher, then glides back to where itstarted.

Notation:Name: Tu f (backward and returning)Explanation: Opposite of Jn f. When a finger of the left hand presses down astring, and after the right hand has pulled the string, the left hand glides downto the left to a certain point indicated or one pitch lower, then glides back towhere it started.


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Notation:Name:Qi qExplanation: This technique is particularly used for the thumb of the left hand.After the thumb presses down a string (on the 8th Hui for example), the ring

finger (or middle finger) presses down the same string at the next Hui (the9th). Instead of using the right hand to pull the string, the thumb of the lefthand pulls up the sting. Using the edge of the thumbnail to pull the sting up, atthe same time the ring finger (or the middle finger) still presses down steadily.

Notation:Name: Zhua QExplanation: This technique is particularly used for the thumb of the left hand.After the thumb presses down a string, it lightly pulls up the string to create a

Sn Yin.


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Notation:Name: Di QExplanation: This technique is particularly used for the ring finger of the lefthand. After the left ring finger presses down a string, it plucks the string to

create a Sn Yin. However, some ancient qin tabletures used "Di q" not justfor the ring finger but for the thumb (as Zhua Q) and middle finger as well.

Notation:Name: Yn (to cover)Explanation: This technique is mostly executed with the left hand thumb, thatthe thumb taps a string to produce a low, dull sound after the left ring fingerpressed down the string. For example, when the left ring finger presses downthe 3rd string on the 10th Hui, the left thumb taps the same string on the 9th

Hui (while the left ring still presses down). and after tapping the string, the leftthumb stays there steadily and does not move away.


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Notation:Name: X YnExplanation: This technique is mostly executed with the middle or ring fingerand sometimes the thumb. Same technique as Yn but without pressing down

any string before doing Yn.

Notation:Name: Tue Chu (pushing outward)Explanation: This technique is particularly used on the 1st string for the middlefinger of the left hand. After the middle finger presses a sting down, it makesthe 1st string sound by pushing it outward.


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Notation:Name: Yng H (respond and unite)Explanation: The left middle or ring finger presses down a string, and the righthand plucks it, the left hand stays on the same string and does not moveaway yet. While the right hand plucks another string, the left hand moveseither up or down to the position where it has the same sound as the stringthat the right hand had played. Eventually making both strings sound together(one is a solid sound, the other is a soft sound).

Notation:Name: Tng Shng (sounds together), also called Di H Explanation: This technique is creating a kind of chord. The left hand plucksone string (can be the middle finger Tuch, or thering finger Diqor thethumb Zhuq), at the same time, the right hand plucks another string to make

both strings sound together.


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http://peiyouqin.com/yinandnao.html

The Variations of Yn and No:

Notation: Name: Chng YinExplanation: A drawn-out vibrato movement. The frequency of up and down isseveral times more than Yn. The total number can be 7 to 12 times of thefrequency.

Notation: Name: X YnExplanation: A thin vibrato movement, more delicate than Yn.

Notation: Name: Dng Yn

Explanation: A calm vibrato. It is rocking the string back and force withoutmoving the finger.

Notation: Name: Yu YnExplanation: Swinging vibrato. Similar to Shuang Zhang (see ShuangZhuang on next page) but slower.

Notation: Name: Lo ZhYnExplanation: Immediately vibrato. Do Yn as soon as the left hand presses thestring and the right hand plays the string.

Notation: Name: Le YnExplanation: Slightly Yn.

Notation: Name: Chng NoExplanation: The movement is the same as No but the timing of the vibratois longer. Same situation as Chng Yn.

Notation: Name: J No

Explanation: A fast No. Feels tight and rapid but not in a hurry.

Notation: Name: Lo ZhNoExplanation: Same situation as Lo ZhYn. Do No as soon as the left handpresses the string and the right hand plays the string.

Notation: Name: Le NoExplanation: Slightly No.

For a further study on distinguish the differences between Yn and No and a

short film of the demo, please visit here.


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Gqn Left Hand Finger Techniques of Vibrato,

Yn and No

Yn and No are the 2 important left hand techniques of Gqn playing butsome people may not clearly distinguish the differences. I have checked manyqn books and the explanations vary such that I am not sure which one tofollow. Therefore, I decided to only look at the possible earliest records andhope to get more ideas on how the ancient qn players distinguished them.The earliest records so far that has the Gqn left hand techniqueexplanations of Ynand No are those from the Tng dynasty and Sngdynasty, such as Tng, Chng Ju-sh and Chng Zho andSng, Chn Y-Jin . I paste their quotes here which are collected inthe very rich qn book [Qn Shu D Qun ] edited by Mng dynastyJing K Qian, along with my translation and conclusions below.

The explanations of Yn and No from Chng Ju- sh is very simplecompared to the other two people. My translations are as below.

No: If the right hand pluck a string, the left hand presses down the string ona hui position and under the left finger, the string has sound, and the sound isclear and rounded. However, this sound has its variations by producing it

earlier or later and faster or slower. All the 4 fingers are the same. If producedheavily, we called it No.


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Yn: The explanation of Yn is the same as above, except that at the end, itsays, if produced lightly, we called it Yn.

Conclusion: It does not really tell us what exactly the techniques are, but tellthe colors of the sound heavy, light, clear and rounded.

My translation of the explanations of Yn and No from Sngdynasty Chn Y-Jin , are as below:

Yn: use the left thumb where the nail and the muscle meet (on the right sideof thumb nail) and press down a string and swing it. The sound is like aleftover sound reverberation from a bell. The rest of the fingers are the same.Another saying is that maybe only use nail and that is called Yn. For

example, left thumb presses down on the 9th dot and the right hand plucksthe 3rd string then Yn, which means once the 3rd string is plucked, use thearea where the nail meets the muscle and move back and forth withoutstopping, and the distance is half an inch up then down, very tiny swinging(vibrato). When the vibrato is not stopping, it is called walking Yn (walking vibrato). If it is called slight vibrato (), one must do it in a veryrelaxed manner. If it is called muscle vibrato (), only use the side muscleof the thumb joint, and softly make the vibrato on a hui position.

R Yn (muscle vibrato): same as above, produced from the side of thumbjoint. Valuing its finals and reverberation distance.

No: Stretch the sound by going up and down called No. The momentum islike spring thunder and flying lightning, valuing its smooth movement withoutany hesitation. Walking No () is that the up and down movementproduced and the sound is created, then wait for about a second and do theup and down movement again. Another saying is that the No (the Chinesecharacter here changes to which is pronounced R) is using muscleinstead of nail. For example, D Ji D r R (thumb pressed down at 9th dotand right hand plucked 2nd string and R) means when the string is plucked,move the thumb by using its right side of the joint muscle, up a little bit and

then rapidly move down to the hui position, slightly make one sound. If rapidlymove up and down without heading and ending, it is called Chu R (). If doing Yn first then doing No later, it is called Yn No (or Yn R), also called Hun (). Which to use is all depending on its appropriatesituation.

Conclusion: From Chn Y-Jins explanations, it is still unclear but one canfind some clues. First, using nail or muscle, my experience of qn playing tellsme that only the thumb has this issue. The rest of the left fingers dont havethis concern. Therefore, I dont think it is an appropriate point to distinguishthe technique of the Yn and No.


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2nd, From the following two sentences, one can clearly tell the quality of theYn and No:

The sound is like a leftover sound reverberation from a bell. --- YnThe momentum is like spring thunder and flying lightning. ---No

3rd, from the actual technique: the sentence for Yn move back and forthwithout stopping, and the distance is half an inch up then down, very tinyswinging (vibrato).

And the sentence for No Stretch the sound by going up and down up a

little bit and then rapidly move down to the hui position

Combining the 2nd and 3rd points above, the up and down movement of Ynis not as wide as No but is more frequent than No. Yn has an evenstrength (in up and down), but the No starts light and ends heavily (in up anddown). Imagine hearing the sound of spring thunder that starts soft but endsloud, and the line of a lightning is not as smooth as a water wave.

Below are the explanations from Tng dynasty, Chng Zho.

For Yn, Chng Zho noted at the end of the explanation of the ring fingersYn that each finger (thumb, index, middle and ring) has a different name but

the theory is the same. .


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Thumb Yn: Use the side muscle of the thumb joint to press down astring and slightly rub it back and forth.

Index Finger Zhn: Starting with the left side of the index tip slide upto a hui position then turn the tip to face down on the string and quickly vibrate

the string.

Middle Finger C : When the middle finger presses down a string,immediately vibrate the string back and forth quickly and delicately, and that iscalled C. If starting with sliding up to a hui position then vibrating the string,it is called Ji C . (Ji has a meaning of then or following with).

Ring Finger Mng: Press down a string, and then vibrate the stringright and left (back and forth) delicately, that is called Mng. If using thekneeling down position () then the vibrato is called Tou Yn , which

means that it is a stable movement; you can hear the sound but you dont seethe finger moving back and forth. (Tou has a meaning of secretly.)

There are three more vibrato techniques similar to Yn: Hn Zh, Yo Zhand Quan F. At the end of Quan F, Chn-Zho noted that thesethree techniques are similar to Yn and are useful for all 4 fingers. It is likethe gesture of a reflection of a swinging flower on the water.

Hn literally means to shake. There is inside Hn and outside Hn.Inside means the right side of your left hand and outside means the left sideof your left hand. (Imagine that your body is the center, so anything towardsthe center is called in and outwards from the center is called out.) This Hnvibrato can happen simultaneously when the sound is created or half of asecond after the sound has been created. It is a delicate vibrato which is


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similar to Zhung (an inward strike-against, also called Shn Yn)and Dun (an outward strike-against, also called N Yn), however,Zhung and Dun are more powerful than Hn. The sound quality of Hn isprofound yet clear.

Yo literally means to swing. It also can be produce simultaneously whenthe sound is created or half of a second after the sound has been created,and can start the swing inside out or outside in. The sound quality is clear andpretty.

Quan literally means circle. Quan F is the movement of making an inwardcircle or outward circle. So my understanding of Quan F is the making of acircling vibrato.

So, all the above techniques are the variations of the Yn.

For No, The Chinese character of No, and the character of R, bothhave the same meaning of the No technique, which is a strong upward and arapid downward movement that happensright after the sound has beencreated, (the direction of up is the right side of the qn player, and down isthe left side of the qn player). This movement can be done two to three times.

There are 5 kinds of No:

1) Zhng No (, Zhng literally means major or straight) also named

Sheng H No (, Sheng H literally means sound after). When thestring is pressed down and plucked, the left hand strongly slides up to theright side of the hui position and rapidly slides down to the hui position.

2) Shng No (, up) also called Do No (invert) or Sheng Qan No (before sound). When the left hand presses down a string, and theright hand plucks the string, simultaneously and without any stopping, the lefthand keeps sliding up to the right side of the hui position, and then slidesdown to the hui position. (the sliding up movement is using the technique ofcho)

3) Xi No (, down) . Same technique as above but in the oppositedirection. When the left hand presses down a string, and the right hand plucksthe string, simultaneously and without any stopping, the left hand keep slidingdown to the left side of the hui position, and then slides up to the hui position.(the sliding down movement is using the technique of Zh). This up and down movement can be done two tothree times.


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4) Ja Hui No (, Ja literally mean Press from both sides): Also hastwo opposite directions. A is zh xi (, glides down from the right side ofthe hui position to the left side of the hui position) then Yng shng (slides up to the right side of the hui position) and then j xi ( rapidlyslides back down to the hui position). B is cho shng ( glides up from theleft side of the hui position to the right side of the hui position), y xi (

slides down to the left side of the hui position) and then j shng( rapidlyslides back up to the hui position). The movements can be like the red lines Ihad draw in the pictures. (for cho and zh, please click here).

5) Za No Sheng (, Za literally mean again.) When the sound isproduced, the left hand slides up from the hui position to the right side of thehui position and then slides down to the hui position and then slides again upto the right side of the hui position.

Run (, this character has the meaning of moisten, touch up or smooth),

this technique is that your finger does not move but the palm slightly swingsright and left. The difference between No and Run is that No is longer andRun is shorter. However No has the longer No and the shorter No aswell. The longer No means to stretch the sliding up or down further, and theshorter No is that the stretch is shorter. And sometimes the No and Runtechniques do not stop exactly at the hui position. It can be stoppedanywhere. And the last sentence here says : whichgave us a good picture to imagine what these movements look like. They arelike the wind blows on the surface of a water lily.


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From the above picture, Chng Zho explained more about the Yn and thedifferent combinations of Yn, No, and Run. I am concluding his majorpoints as below, the rest then is all up to the qn players own interpretation:

When to start the vibrato (1) immediately when the sound is created, or (2) ahalf second later when the sound has created.

After a Yn is created, wait a little bit to hear the reverberation, and thencontinue to play the new note.

Hand gestures the left hand rubs the string up and down (right and left, backand forth) or circling.

How strong depends on the relationship with the strength of the right handplucking and the strength of the previous movement which could be, forexample, a gently sliding up or a lightly strike-against, then continuing with thevibrato. It has to be natural, reasonable and well trained. Do not separate thevibrato itself as a single movement and reinforce it from the rest of theplaying.

If the plucking was light, the vibrato has to be a small movement, and the

hand gesture is not showing the movement obviously but essentially. That iscalled a short Yn (Dun Yn). If it is a small movement with manyrepetitions, it is called a delicated Yn (X Yn ). If the plucking is heavy,the vibrato has to be a big movement, and the hand gesture is showing themovement, which is a natural movement; it is called a long Yn (Chng Yn, ).

How to distinguish and apply Read carefully the music piece andunderstand the feeling then practice well. How to distinguish the variety of Yn(or any other techniques) and use them properly, is all by the interpretation ofthe qn player himself or herself.


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Many ancient qn tabletures do not indicate specifically which kind of Yn orNo to use. Some might indicate with the combination of up or down, slightlyor long, etc., but most of the time, it only shows a single character of Yn orNo. So the qn player has to refer to the previous note or the following noteand the feeling of the music and then make his or her own judgment and

interpretation.


Tempo Notation, Etc.

Notation: Name: Explanation:

Bu DongAfter a left finger presses down a string,stay there and do not move away in orderto play another same note at the samespot.

Shou Xi A short pause.

Lian Legato; continual playing several noteswithout pause.

Cheng Blends into the next note.

Ji Presto; in rapid tempo.

Huan Lente; in a slow tempo.Ru mang Ritardando; slow gradually.

Qing Piano; soft.

Zhong Forte; loud.

Jiu

This notation shows that there is the samefinger technique as the previous note.Using this notation instead of writing itagain.

Zhi Up to.

Zai Zuo Repeat.

Chong Tou ZaiZuo

Repeat from the beginng.

Chong Kou ZaiZuo

Repeat from the notation " ."

Zai ErZuo Repeat twice.

Qu Zhong The end.

Documents

Guqin How to Play #2