1. Sanxian ( 三弦 ) A Chinese Lute

2. 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

3. Accompanied by : Pipa, Jinghu, Erhu

4. Accompanied by : Flute, Pipa, Yangqin, and Percussion

5. Origins 221-207 BC: Xiantao of the Qin Dynasty 1217-1279: Stone Sculpture - Southern Song Period 16 th century: First known record of name - Yang Shen’s Shengan waiji document of the Ming Dynasty

6. Relatives From left to right: Japanese shamisen, Chinese sanxian, Thai ping, and the Okinawan sanshin

7. Relatives Sanshin From Okinawan Shamisen From Japan

8. Structure - size S. China – Quixian – “Theatre String” – 16 th 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” – 19 th 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 http://manduca3d.com/flash/tuners/San_Xian_T uning.html

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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=VwxC4ivz DJk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWj- hO3yC7g

12. 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

13. Modern Adjustments Late 20 th Century – 4 string sanxian Sanxian in popular and rock music – He Yong – one of the pioneers of Chinese Rock