The Heritage And Development Of Chinese Guzheng Yaozhi Technique

This article discusses the heritage and development of guzheng (Chinese zither) yaozhi (shaking finger) technique across different eras and schools of performance. In the history of the guzheng, yaozhi technique may have existed as early as the Tang dynasty but makes its first recorded appearance under the moniker of cuoer technique in the Qing dynasty music score Xian Suo Bei Kao. Contemporary guzheng schools have not been content with merely inheriting the yaozhi technique and have continued to innovate and discover new applications. Among leading zitherists, Wang Xunzhi and Li Wanfen have made outstanding contributions to yaozhi technique. In particular, Li Wanfen's xuwanyao (suspend the wrist when shaking the string) can be seen as an inevitable evolution of yaozhi technique.