抹index finger inward
Pinyin: mǒ
Right hand, single fingerThe index finger plucks one string inward, toward the player. One of the right hand's most common inward strokes.
How it is played
Bend the index finger slightly and pluck toward the player with the half-nail, half-flesh part of the tip squarely on the string. The finger travels in a straight line and must not sweep across at an angle. Sound the string near the bridge, between the first and second hui; moving toward the middle of the instrument softens the tone.
How it sounds
Clear without being sharp; at moderate force each note is distinct. Pressing too hard adds a muddy scraping noise.
In the classical handbooks
食指向身彈入曰抹。指必中鋒正彈，不可斜掃，又不可太重，太重則濁。Gist: The index finger plucking in toward the body is called mo. The finger must strike squarely with its center, not sweep at an angle, and not too hard: too hard and the tone turns muddy.
抹也，食指入曰抹。Gist: Mo: the index finger plucks inward.
抹也，右食指向内。Gist: Mo: the right index finger moves inward.
Easily confused with
- 挑tiǎo· index finger outwardBoth use the index finger: mo plucks inward toward the player, tiao plucks outward.
References
- 国琴网指法库「抹——澄鉴堂琴谱」(opens in a new window)Qin community
- 国琴网指法库「抹——大还阁琴谱」(opens in a new window)Qin community