换指finger substitution
Pinyin: huàn zhǐ
Left hand, pressingAlso written: 换
Another finger replaces the one stopping the string at the same position, without releasing the string or breaking the note.
How it is played
After one finger sounds the note, another finger lands on the same position and presses firmly before the first lifts away; the string stays pressed throughout and the note is unbroken. Most often the thumb sounds the note and the ring finger takes over, so that what follows can be reached.
How it sounds
The substitution itself should be inaudible; done badly it produces a click or a break at the handover.
Where sources disagree
How it is written and used
- After the thumb sounds the note, the ring finger replaces it in the thumb's position. Source: 《古音正宗》（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- Huan zhi means changing the stopping finger; the abbreviated form of huan (唤, “call”) in scores looks the same, but huan is another name for dou and is a different thing. Source: Zhifa Huican Queji（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- Under the entry for huan (唤), it notes that some write the finger substitution with the character 唤, which is wrong. Source: Qinxue Rumen (Introduction to Qin Studies), vol. 1, left-hand pressing symbols(opens in a new window) · View the original page
Easily confused with
- 唤huàn· quick shake on the attackHuan (唤) is a quick ornamental motion that produces sound; huan zhi only changes the finger. Their jianzipu abbreviations are easily confused.
References
- 《琴学入门》国家图书馆藏刻本第 2 册（Wikimedia Commons 扫描）(opens in a new window)Primary source
- 国琴网《古琴大辞典·指法》「换指」条(opens in a new window)Qin community