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
RelativesFrom 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_Tuning.html
Structure
• 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=doehGHQMSwY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opUeR6spLe8
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwxC4ivzDJk
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWj-hO3yC7g
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