不动hold still
Pinyin: bù dòng
Left hand, pressingAlso written: 不力
The left finger stays pressed where it is while the right hand plays other strings; when it returns, play again from the same position.
How it is played
After the stopped note sounds, the left finger stays at the same hui, pressing, without sliding or vibrato. Meanwhile the right hand plays other strings (usually open). When it comes back to this string the finger is still there and the note is simply plucked again, with no need to find the position afresh. The score writes 不动 after the note, often abbreviated 不力.
How it sounds
The stopped note reappears unchanged after other strings have sounded, so the two join tightly. Some players also use the mark to call for a plain note without vibrato.
In the classical handbooks
不動也。按處不動而彈別絃也。Gist: Bu dong: the stopping finger does not move while another string is plucked.
Where sources disagree
Whether “hold still” is for continuing, or for keeping the note plain
- The stopping finger does not move while another string is played. Source: Qinxue Rumen (Introduction to Qin Studies), vol. 1, left-hand pressing symbols(opens in a new window) · View the original page
- The stopping finger does not leave its place, so that the note can be taken again afterward. Source: 《永乐琴书集成》（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- Used for notes such as phrase endings that should not have vibrato; more clean-cut than a short rest. Source: 《研露楼琴谱》（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- Two uses: holding still so the note is deliberately plain, and keeping the finger in place while the right hand plays another string, ready to continue. Source: Yihe Qin Society, “Jianzipu: a short guide to technique symbols” (the common modern reading)(opens in a new window)
References
- 颐和琴社《减字谱·指法符号简释》(opens in a new window)Qin community
- 国琴网《古琴大辞典·指法》「不动」条(opens in a new window)Qin community