Playing qin not on a table

[Si]

are there any guidelines for playing a qin on the floor as nearly all the old paintings show.

[SCWGuqin]

The Chinese didn't use chairs until the mid-Tang I think; before that all of their furniture was at floor-height. Japanese and Koreans still play their zithers in this way. I'm guessing there are no guidelines for playing the qin that way since table and chair have been preferred for over 1000 years.

[Charlie Huang]

Generally, I find it easier to place the tail end on the floor and the head end on your lap/knee if playing on the floor. if you want to play with the qin on your laps/knees then you need a good cushion to prop your bum up so the qin balances and doesn't slide towards your body.

[kyokuhon]

Hi, all,
I always sit on the floor with both legs folded to the right, right under left, to give the qin support from both thighs. The only problem I've found so far is that it's hard to get my left hand in to play high notes, especially on strings 6 and 7. As for sitting on a chair (or a rock, as shown in some paintings) with the qin on your knees, I personally think it's more symbolic than practical; the qin tends to slide around, and even make a lunge for freedom when fingering the higher hui.
Best,
K.

[Charlie Huang]

Playing on rock/chair: just put the non-slip pads between the qin and your laps. Will stop them from sliding about. Or simply, wear trousers that are not slippery.

[kyokuhon]

Hi, all,
Well, don't want to argue with the forum master, but though it sounds simple, in my experience, not so much. Non-slip pads MIGHT solve the sliding problem, but the bigger one I have is: when you push down with the left hand there's nothing holding the right end of the qin down, as you need your right hand for plucking. Result: left end goes down, right end goes up. Guess that's why, among other, more nebulous cultural reasons, people started using tables.
Best, and keep playing.
K.

[Charlie Huang]

That's easily solved by spliting your legs more, so the tail end is not hanging on to dear life on your left lap. Also, you really shouldn't be pressing so hard as to cause the qin to be 'pushed down' anyways.

[Charlie Huang]

OK, I've tried playing on my knees like ZCW on his CD cover and I succeeded! The only problems one may encounter is the right part of the qin has a tendency to slide about.

[Si]

well i think you could use those funny rubber drawer liners that seem to be standard for resting qins on - use some big bits on your knees

not totally related but - i have discovered that my qin sometimes makes another sound when i strum a string with right hand - its a softer but higher sound around 5-6th string - so annoying!!!

[Charlie Huang]

You'll have to describe it in more detail for us/me to know.

[Si]

I dont know how to discribe it its liek a whine - at first i thought it was coming from another room

it might have something to do with tuning peg or string tightness

[Charlie Huang]

I think I know what you mean. Is it some sort of ringing sound? There are two possible explanations for the cause and it is to do with the strings. You should first press on the string butterfly knot then pluck the string, if it still rings then, it is not from the knot itself but from the wrapping end. Sometimes, the strings at the wrapping end may vibrate at a certain frequency that causes it to rattle with other strings causing the ringing sound. You should press down on the strings at the back then pluck and find out where the ringing is coming from. When you done that, you can insert a piece of cord or cloth under the strings and between them. This sould stop the ringing. Alternatively, re-stringing or re-tuning will often work.