轮three-finger roll on one string
Pinyin: lún
Right hand, compoundRing, middle and index fingers pluck the same string outward one after another, three notes in a row.
How it is played
Curl the three fingers together with the ring finger leading, and release them outward in the order zhai, ti, tiao, like a wheel turning. The three notes should be even; the speed follows the music.
How it sounds
The same note three times in close succession, each distinct. Often used to intensify or prolong a note.
In the classical handbooks
輪也，同在一兩絃連得三聲也。同絃上摘剔挑次弟彈出，連得三聲。輪有緩有急，隨曲節奏而用。法以屈曲三指中節，平齊夾緊，逐一彈出，有力清亮方妙。Gist: Lun: three notes in a row on one or two strings. On the same string, zhai, ti and tiao pluck out in turn, giving three notes. Lun may be slow or fast as the rhythm of the piece requires. The method: bend the middle joints of the three fingers, hold them level and tight together, and release them one by one; strong and clear is best.
用名中食三指同屈，向外出絃，急得三聲。Gist: Curl the ring, middle and index fingers together and pluck outward off the string for three quick notes.
輪也，食中名連出。Gist: Lun: index, middle and ring fingers pluck out in succession.
Easily confused with
- 半轮bàn lún· half rollBan lun uses only two fingers for two notes.
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