Guqin playing technique

The playing techniques of the guqin, sometimes called fingerings, are more numerous than those of any other Chinese or Western musical instrument. They are also complex and full of symbolism.

The music of the qin can be categorised as three distinctively different "sounds." The first is san yin 〔音〕, which means "scattered sounds." This is produced by plucking the required string to sound an open note  Listen . The second is fan yin 〔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 〔音 / 音 / 音 / 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, but 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 .

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