The sanxian (Chinese: 三弦, literally "three strings") is a traditional Chinese musical instrument with three strings. It has a long, fretless fingerboard, and its body is usually made from snake skin stretched over a rounded rectangular hollow body. The instrument comes in different sizes for various uses. In the early 20th century, a four-stringed version called the jiaxian sanxian (加弦三弦) was created. The northern sanxian is generally larger, measuring about 122 cm (48 in) in length, while southern versions are typically shorter, around 95 cm (37 in) in length.

History

Some experts believe that the sanxian, a type of spike lute, may have originated in the Middle East. Older forms of spike lute were also found in ancient Egypt. Similar instruments may have been present in China as early as the Qin dynasty as qin pipa (pipa was used as a general term in ancient China for many plucked stringed instruments) or xiantao (弦鼗), which the Qinqin and Ruan also come from. Some believe the instrument may have been introduced again into China along with other instruments like huqin by the Mongols during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). However, an image of a sanxian-like instrument was discovered in a stone sculpture from the Southern Song period (1217–79). The first written mention of the name "sanxian" appears in a text from the Ming dynasty.

The instrument later spread to other East Asian countries, such as the Ryukyus, where it became known as sanshin, and mainland Japan, where it is called shamisen.

Description

The sanxian has a dry, somewhat percussive tone and a loud volume similar to the banjo. Larger sizes of the instrument can play notes across three octaves. It is mainly used to accompany other instruments, as well as in traditional Chinese ensembles and orchestras. Solo pieces and concertos for the sanxian also exist. The instrument is used in nanguan and Jiangnan sizhu ensembles, along with other folk and classical groups such as Suzhou pingtan, Beijing and Kunqu operas. Variations of the sanxian are also found among China’s ethnic minorities, including the Manchu, Mongols, Bai, Yi, Lahu, Miao, Dai, and Jingpo. The sanxian has a resonator shaped like a rounded rectangle, with snakeskin covering both the front and back. The curved-back pegbox at the end of the neck has side tuning pegs that adjust three strings made of silk, nylon, or steel.

Traditionally, the sanxian is played by plucking its strings with fingernails, as is common in southern China, or with two small plectrums made from animal horn attached to the thumb and index finger. Today, some players use plastic pipa plectrums on all five fingers of the right hand. Using fingernails or pipa plectrums allows players to use techniques from the pipa, such as tremolo, and perform music originally written for the pipa. Other techniques include playing harmonics and striking the instrument’s skin with plectrums or fingernails, similar to the way the northern Japanese tsugaru-jamisen is played. Modern players often use steel strings, which are made of drawn steel and sometimes covered with nylon or copper. Alternatively, players may use fishing line, pure nylon, or silk strings for a softer sound, as in Suzhou Pingtan.

A closely related instrument is the Japanese shamisen, which was influenced by the sanxian. The Okinawan sanshin is even more similar to the sanxian and is also covered in snakeskin. Both the sanshin and sanxian share a body part shaped like a rounded square of wood. In the Japanese shamisen, the body (sao) is made of four pieces of wood instead of one. The Mongolian shanz and the Vietnamese đàn tam are also similar to the sanxian.

In addition to traditional and classical music, some modern musicians, such as singer He Yong and his father He Yusheng, have used the sanxian in popular and rock music. Occasionally, the sanxian is played with a violin bow.

Tuning

• Small sanxian: Tuned to A-d-a or d-a-d1, Measures 95 centimeters (37 inches)
• Large sanxian: Tuned to G-d-g, Measures 122 centimeters (48 inches)

Related instruments

• Xianzi (弦子) – A smaller version of the sanxian. It may be a term used in certain regions to describe the same instrument or a southern version with a shorter neck. In Tibet, the Chinese word "xianzi" is used to describe a sanxian with two strings.
• Erxianzi (二弦子) – A type of sanxian that has two strings.
• Pipa – An instrument with four strings and a body shaped like a pear.