Download Sanxian

Sanxian (三弦)
A Chinese Lute
San – “three” & xian – “strings”
• 3 strings
• Solo
• Ensemble
– Bass part of continuo
– Theatrical, ballad-singing, orchestral, and
compositions.
– Featured in the Kun opera master piece Peony
Pavilion
Accompanied by :
Pipa, Jinghu, Erhu
Accompanied by :
Flute, Pipa, Yangqin, and Percussion
Origins
• 221-207 BC: Xiantao of the Qin Dynasty
• 1217-1279: Stone Sculpture - Southern Song
Period
• 16th century: First known record of name Yang Shen’s Shengan waiji document of the
Ming Dynasty
Relatives
From left to right: Japanese shamisen, Chinese sanxian, Thai ping, and
the Okinawan sanshin
Relatives
Sanshin
• From Okinawan
Shamisen
• From Japan
Structure - size
• S. China – Quixian – “Theatre String”
– 16th century 95 cm (A-d-a or d-a-d1)
– Kunqu opera and tanci narrative song
– Range of 2 ½ octaves
• N. China – Shuxian – “Narrative Story”
– 19th century - 122 cm. (G-d-g)
– Dagu and northern singing narratives
– Range of 3 octaves
• http://manduca3d.com/flash/tuners/San_Xian_T
uning.html
Structure
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Long, fret-less neck
Nylon-coiled steel wires
Padauk or red sadal wooden resonators
Covered by snake skin (i.e. python skin)
3 lateral tuning pegs
Signature sounds and effects
• Trad – Pick. Present – Pick or finger nails.
• Similar to the Banjo – dry, percussive tone,
loud, wide range.
• Method involving harmonics and hitting skin
for percussive tone.
• Power chords and glissandos
performances
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doehGHQ
MSwY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opUeR6sp
Le8
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwxC4ivz
DJk
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWjhO3yC7g
Notable sanxian players
• Lang C. Chu – Chinese Kwun Opera Society
– Kun Opera Performance @ UCI
• Li Yi (b. 1932) & Bai Fengyan (1899–1975)
– Solo Performance Popularity
Modern Adjustments
• Late 20th Century – 4 string sanxian
• Sanxian in popular and rock music
– He Yong – one of the pioneers of Chinese Rock