拂upward sweep (index finger)
Pinyin: fú
Right hand, compoundAlso written: 沸, 弗
The index finger plucks inward across several strings from low to high, the opposite direction to gun.
How it is played
The tip of the index finger brushes each string in turn toward the player, from string one (or the string named) up to seven. Keep the touch light, the hand gliding level over the strings, continuous and unbroken.
How it sounds
A string of notes from low to high, light and flowing; too heavy a hand makes it harsh.
In the classical handbooks
沸也，數絃數聲連續不斷也。食指抹絃，自一絃連抹至七絃，或從某絃起至某絃止，亦不拘定。沸不可太重暴響，須輕輕沸來連而勿斷，則得其趣矣。Gist: Fu (沸): several strings, several notes, continuous and unbroken. The index finger plucks mo from string one across to string seven, or from a given string to a given string, again not fixed. Fu must not be heavy or harsh; sweep lightly, connected and unbroken, and its charm appears.
食指抹絃，自一而連至七，或從按處而止，亦不拘定七絃。用指勿重，致聲暴響，輕輕拂來，連而勿斷……Gist: The index finger plucks mo from string one across to string seven, or stops at the stopped position, again not fixed to seven. Do not use a heavy finger, which makes the sound harsh; sweep lightly, connected and unbroken …
拂也，向裏挳抹数弦如一……Gist: Fu: sweep inward across several strings as if one note …
Where sources disagree
Each note distinct, or so fast it sounds like one
- Several strings, several notes, continuous and unbroken, but each note present. Source: Qinxue Rumen (Introduction to Qin Studies), vol. 1(opens in a new window) · View the original page
- Sweep inward across several strings so fast it sounds like a single note. Source: Shilin Guangji (Comprehensive Record of Affairs), sequel vol. 4(opens in a new window)
How the character is written
- Written 拂; the jianzipu symbol takes 弗. Source: Chengjiantang Qinpu, “Qinpu Zhifa” section; Chinese Wikipedia, “Jianzipu”(opens in a new window)
- Written 沸. Source: Qinxue Rumen (Introduction to Qin Studies), vol. 1(opens in a new window) · View the original page
Easily confused with
- 滚gǔn· downward sweep (ring finger)Gun is the ring finger outward from high to low; fu is the index finger inward from low to high.
- 历lì· quick outward run over two stringsLi is the index finger flicking outward across two adjacent strings; fu brushes inward across many.
References
- 管平湖《古指法考》（北京古琴文化研究会 编，中国书店出版社 2019；据 1963 年中国音乐研究所油印本整理，依《琴用指法》《乌丝栏》《太音大全》《琴书大全》考订古指法）Scholarship