Transcript Sanxian
Sanxian (三弦) A Chinese Lute San – “three” & xian – “strings” • 3 strings • Solo • Ensemble – Bass part of continuo – Theatrical, ballad-singing, orchestral, and compositions. – Featured in the Kun opera master piece Peony Pavilion Accompanied by : Pipa, Jinghu, Erhu Accompanied by : Flute, Pipa, Yangqin, and Percussion Origins • 221-207 BC: Xiantao of the Qin Dynasty • 1217-1279: Stone Sculpture - Southern Song Period • 16th century: First known record of name Yang Shen’s Shengan waiji document of the Ming Dynasty Relatives From left to right: Japanese shamisen, Chinese sanxian, Thai ping, and the Okinawan sanshin Relatives Sanshin • From Okinawan Shamisen • From Japan Structure - size • S. China – Quixian – “Theatre String” – 16th century 95 cm (A-d-a or d-a-d1) – Kunqu opera and tanci narrative song – Range of 2 ½ octaves • N. China – Shuxian – “Narrative Story” – 19th century - 122 cm. (G-d-g) – Dagu and northern singing narratives – Range of 3 octaves • http://manduca3d.com/flash/tuners/San_Xian_T uning.html Structure • • • • • Long, fret-less neck Nylon-coiled steel wires Padauk or red sadal wooden resonators Covered by snake skin (i.e. python skin) 3 lateral tuning pegs Signature sounds and effects • Trad – Pick. Present – Pick or finger nails. • Similar to the Banjo – dry, percussive tone, loud, wide range. • Method involving harmonics and hitting skin for percussive tone. • Power chords and glissandos performances • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doehGHQ MSwY • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opUeR6sp Le8 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwxC4ivz DJk • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWjhO3yC7g Notable sanxian players • Lang C. Chu – Chinese Kwun Opera Society – Kun Opera Performance @ UCI • Li Yi (b. 1932) & Bai Fengyan (1899–1975) – Solo Performance Popularity Modern Adjustments • Late 20th Century – 4 string sanxian • Sanxian in popular and rock music – He Yong – one of the pioneers of Chinese Rock