弹snap
Pinyin: tán
Right hand, single fingerAlso written: 单弹
The thumb presses the index or middle finger, which stores force and then snaps free against the string. The basic motion behind shuang tan and san tan.
How it is played
Curl the index or middle finger and press the thumb on its nail; the finger pushes against the thumb, and when released it snaps out and strikes the string, exactly like flicking a finger.
How it sounds
One short, strong, springy note.
In the classical handbooks
彈也，大壓食中彈。Gist: Tan: the thumb presses the index or middle finger, which snaps.
Where sources disagree
One finger only, or either the index or the middle
- The thumb presses the index or middle finger, which then snaps. Source: Shilin Guangji (Comprehensive Record of Affairs), sequel vol. 4(opens in a new window)
- Curl the index and middle fingers under the thumb, hold one back and release it; it may strike one string or two, and the method is the same for either finger. Source: Taiyin Daquanji (per the silkqin.com translation)(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
- 国琴网指法库「双弹——今虞琴刊（谈「法同单弹」）」(opens in a new window)Qin community