三弹triple snap
Pinyin: sān tán
Right hand, compoundThe thumb holds back the ring, middle and index fingers, which are released in turn for zhai, ti and tiao, three notes; shaped like lun but played as snaps.
How it is played
Curl the ring, middle and index fingers and hold them back with the thumb, then release them in turn starting with the ring finger, each striking the string, for three notes. It can be on one string, or on two strings, one stopped and one open.
How it sounds
Three sharply articulated notes, heavier than lun.
Where sources disagree
Whether it is the same as lun
- San tan is the same as lun. Source: 《白菡萏香馆琴谱》 (via the Guoqinwang technique database)(opens in a new window)
- Lun is on one string, the fingers move sideways and the effect is light and quick; san tan is on two strings, the fingers strike squarely and the effect is accented. They differ, and san tan is rare in pieces. Source: Jinyu Qinkan (via the Guoqinwang technique database)(opens in a new window)
- The thumb grips the ring, middle and index fingers; zhai, ti and tiao on two strings for three notes. Source: 《峰抱楼琴谱》 (via the Guoqinwang technique database)(opens in a new window)
Easily confused with
- 轮lún· three-finger roll on one stringLun is three fingers released in a continuous roll; san tan has the thumb hold them back first and release them one by one.
- 双弹shuāng tán· double snapShuang tan is two fingers, two notes; san tan is three fingers, three notes.
References
- 国琴网指法库「三弹——今虞琴刊」(opens in a new window)Qin community
- 国琴网指法库「三弹——古指法考」(opens in a new window)Qin community