挑index finger outward
Pinyin: tiǎo
Right hand, single fingerThe index finger plucks one string outward. The right hand's most used outward stroke.
How it is played
Brace the tip of the thumbnail against the pad of the index finger so the finger stores tension, then let it fall from above onto the string and flick outward with the very tip of the nail. Do not drag slowly along the string surface; the old handbooks call that fault “leaning on the string and stroking it”.
How it sounds
Sounded with the nail tip, the note is crisp and firm. Falling from above gives a clean attack; dragging along the string muddies it.
In the classical handbooks
食指向徽彈出曰挑。指須懸落，挑以甲尖，庶有堅清之響而虛靈無礙；若傍絃挨撫，則出音溷濁矣。Gist: The index finger plucking out toward the hui markers is called tiao. The finger must fall from the air and pluck with the nail tip, so the sound is firm and clear, open and unhindered. If it leans against the string and strokes, the tone turns muddy.
挑也，食指出曰挑。Gist: Tiao: the index finger plucks outward.
挑也，食指向外。Gist: Tiao: the index finger moves outward.
Easily confused with
- 抹mǒ· index finger inwardBoth use the index finger: tiao outward, mo inward.
- 剔tī· middle finger outwardBoth are outward strokes: tiao uses the index finger, ti the middle finger; ti sounds slightly fuller.
References
- 国琴网指法库「挑——大还阁琴谱」(opens in a new window)Qin community
- 国琴网指法库「挑——二香琴谱」(opens in a new window)Qin community