双撞double knock
Pinyin: shuāng zhuàng
Left hand, slidingTwo knocks in a row on the same note.
How it is played
After the stopped note sounds, the left finger knocks twice in succession: up and back, up and back again. Both must be brief and leave no trace, coming from the fingertip rather than the whole hand. The old handbooks warn that it slips easily into vulgarity and should be used sparingly and lightly.
How it sounds
Two brief upward inflections in a row on the main note, livelier than a single knock.
Where sources disagree
How much is too much
- Two knocks in a row; it most easily turns vulgar, and the merit lies in a lively fingertip. Source: Chengjiantang Qinpu（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- Two knocks in a row, leaving no trace. Source: 《峰抱楼琴谱》（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
Easily confused with
- 撞猱zhuàng náo· knocking wide vibratoZhuang nao folds the knock into the swing of a nao vibrato; shuang zhuang is simply two knocks.
References
- 国琴网《古琴大辞典·指法》「双撞」条(opens in a new window)Qin community