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