捺ring-finger press (obsolete)
Pinyin: nà
Left hand, slidingA ring-finger motion in old handbooks: either the ring finger moving to and fro, or a short, almost silent forward press.
How it is played
The old handbooks explain na only briefly, and all that is clear is that it involves the ring finger. One group says the ring finger goes back and forth along the string; another says it presses forward once, short and nearly silent. Modern technique tables mostly omit the character; when you meet it, follow the conventions of the score in hand.
Where sources disagree
Back-and-forth motion, or a single silent forward press
- The ring finger goes back and forth. Source: Qinshu Daquan (Great Compendium of Qin Writings)（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- The ring finger goes back and forth. Source: 《太古遗音》（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- The ring finger presses forward, short and silent. Source: 《琴学正声》（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- Translated as the ring finger “comes and goes”. Source: Taiyin Daquanji (as transcribed by John Thompson)(opens in a new window)
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
- 国琴网《古琴大辞典·指法》「捺」条(opens in a new window)Qin community