同起lift-off with a pluck

Pinyin: tóng qǐ

Left hand, sliding

The left finger lifts off its string at the same moment the right hand plucks another string, the two merging into one sound.

How it is played

The left finger stops a string at some hui; the right hand plucks an open note on another string, and at the same instant the left finger leaves its string so its ring or open note emerges together with the right hand's. Some handbooks say the finger only lifts, without clawing the string, seeking a faintly answering sound.

How it sounds

Two strings sounding at once, the left-hand side usually weaker, like an echo of the right hand's note.

In the classical handbooks

兩絃同起而得一聲，與同聲似。

Gist: Two strings rise together and yield one sound; similar to tong sheng.

Qinxue Rumen (Introduction to Qin Studies) · 卷上·左指按法字母 · Qing dynasty, 1864 · View the original page · View source

Where sources disagree

Whether the lifting finger claws the string

Two strings rise together and yield one sound, similar to tong sheng; whether the nail is used is not stated. Source: Qinxue Rumen (Introduction to Qin Studies), vol. 1, left-hand pressing symbols(opens in a new window) · View the original page
The thumb stops string seven at the ninth hui, the right hand plucks open string four, and the left finger lifts at once without clawing, seeking a faintly answering sound. Source: Chengjiantang Qinpu（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
The left hand plays dai qi and the right hand plucks a string; the two notes are the same. Source: 《白菡萏香馆琴谱》（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)

Easily confused with

同声tóng shēng· two strings sounded as oneHandbooks draw the line differently; some say outright that tong qi is tong sheng.