san xian

Sanxian (three-string lute)
The name appears popularly as xianzi, in which zi is as diminutive suffix. Its ancestor is said to be a lucked string instrument xiantao (a type from a rattle drum), commonly seen among the ancient people. The modern type has a resonator pf padauk or red sadal, coverred on both sides with python skin. Its fretless neck functions as the fingerboard. The strings are nylon-coiled steel wires. Performers plcuk with fingernails, generally without any plecttrum. It is soild and sonorous in tone quality. Two types can be dostingushed. The smaller, with a range of two and a half oactaves, is found in the Yantzi valleys of southeast China. Its another name is quxian (story-talling string) for its accompaniment to kunqu opera and tanci narrative song. The large, with a range of three octaves, is to accompany dagu and other northern singing narratives. That explains the origin of its another name "narrative string" (shuxian). Now it is also a solo instrument and apears in ensembles or other music as well. Tuning: Small sanxian: A-d-a or d-a-d1, Length: 95 cm Large sanxian: G-d-g, Length: 122 cm

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