退step down
Pinyin: tuì
Left hand, slidingAfter the stopped note sounds, the left finger moves one position down (toward the tail) and sounds it.
How it is played
After the pluck, the finger keeps pressing and moves toward the tail nut to the next position below, without plucking again. On its own it amounts to “one position down”; usually it is paired with fu as tui fu.
How it sounds
After the main note, the residual vibration carries the note one position lower.
Where sources disagree
Only one position, or further; and whether it slides like zhu
- Tui is played like xia, but limited to one position downward. Source: Yihe Qin Society, “Jianzipu: a short guide to technique symbols” (the common modern reading)(opens in a new window)
- After the note is pressed and sounded, step down to the next hui. Source: Fengxuan Xuanpin（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
- After the note, move down one or two hui, in the same manner as zhu. Source: 《双琴书屋琴谱集成》（据Guoqinwang, Guqin Da Cidian (Great Dictionary of the Guqin)所录原文）(opens in a new window)
Easily confused with
- 下xià· slide downXia may go to any named hui; tui normally moves only to the next position below.
References
- 颐和琴社《减字谱·指法符号简释》(opens in a new window)Qin community
- 国琴网《古琴大辞典·指法》「退」条(opens in a new window)Qin community