Playing techniques used in suona:
1. Circular Breathing Method
Circular Breathing Method is generally not commonly used, but only used when playing certain long sustained notes. Its method is: use the power of the abdomen to control breathing, inhale with the nose, exhale with the mouth. When the nose inhales, the two ribs bulge and the belly contracts inward, so that the breath runs upward, that is, the pressure of the belly sends the breath to the mouth; then according to the amount of breath needed in the two cheeks is gradually discharged outward, and with the exhalation of breath, the belly muscles also gradually relax. Repeat the same process when you inhale the second breath.
It is important to note that at the end of the first process, the second breath should be inhaled through the nose without waiting for the breath to be exhaled from the mouth, so that the two processes are very coherent and no traces of change of breath can be heard, and the continuity of the long tones can be maintained very well. When practicing this breathing method for the first time, you can prepare a reed and a bowl of water, then insert the reed pipe into the bowl and blow into the reed according to the above method of cyclic breathing, until the water bubbles continuously, and the method is basically correct. After practicing in this way, you can then practice on the suona, blowing the eighth hole sound first, and then practicing the other sounds.
2. Air trill
The air trill is a kind of chanting sound, which is indicated by adding "~" to the note. It is played by inhaling a full breath, supporting the breath with a strong and elastic contraction of the abdomen, which produces a slight fluctuation in the sound, the effect of which is like the vibrato on strings. This kind of vibrato can be fast, slow, strong or weak according to the requirements of the piece. It is usually used for long tones, and sometimes its fluctuations can express different national or local styles.
3, tooth trill
The tooth trill is also a kind of chant, in the note number "~" on the word "tooth" to indicate. It is played with the lower teeth gently fluttering the root of the whistle, so that it sends out a fluttering sound. This kind of tooth tremolo is mostly used in playing opera, music and folk style music. It can be divided into two kinds: hard vibrato is to use the teeth to directly contact the root of the whistle, and soft vibrato is to put the lips between the teeth and the root of the whistle. The vibrato is often used on a single note, and attention should be paid to the evenness of the vibrato.
4, finger vibrato
Finger vibrato is also known as "finger flower" in folk music, is a very versatile technique. This technique is often used to express joyful and enthusiastic mood, and in some lyrical tunes used to decorate some of the feelings expressed by the tone, but also a variety of different. In performance, it is characterized by the audible and rapid alternation of two neighboring tones. Although the alternation is very rapid, the angles must be very clear, otherwise the effect would be that of a chant and the character of the vibrato would be lost.
5, small arm trill
The effect of small arm trill sounds different from finger trill. It is not played with finger movements to hit the sound hole, but with the rapid shaking of the small arm to drive the finger. The direction of shaking is perpendicular to the wooden pole, and the fingers repeatedly press the sound hole closed and open to make the articulation vibrate. This kind of vibrato has the characteristics of evenness and density, and is also more lasting in time. It is often used in passionate passages, especially in the upper register.
When practicing, pay attention to the following three points:
①Don't move your fingers, rely entirely on the movement of the small arm to drive the fingers.
②The fingers should not be lifted too high from the sound hole, just a little bit away.
③Fingers, wrist, small arm should be kept in a straight line.