｛XingHe JiaoYe Qin｝-progress0618

2021-06-18

Soundboard preliminary tuning of Jiaoye Qin

According to the Jiaoye Qin’s shape and the best tone coordination, the interior of the soundboard is gradually thinned to infinitely approach to the expected pitch. The internal resonance design can basically be divided into two types: Thick middle and thin sides or thin middle and thick sides. The mixed use of the two types has derived a variety of structural forms such as high and low, half slope, waves, bamboo joint, dragon spine, honeycomb, tortoise shell,, fish scale and so on.

The tuning method of Guqin is similar to the tuning of instruments such as violin and guitar in the West. Both need to adjust and match the best tone between the soundboardand the backboard. In particular, the resonant gathering area is divided into main and auxiliary part, which are called “Nayin” in the vocal structure of Guqin similar the “bass bar” in violin or guitar. The sounding design of Guqin also has a “Yinliang” similar to violin’s “soundpost” , but it depends on the tone adjustment of the soundboard, which can be according by the situation.

What needs attention is the steps and logic of Guqin tuning, first determine the corresponding shape and height of the “Nayin”, second divide the two major vibration areas of “Longchi” and “Fengzhao”, and then subdivide the respective depths of three nodes of the head and neck, the waist, and the tail. The soundboard’s whole and part settlement are based on the respective depth and thickness of the three major nodes and the transition slope.