Minus Character Score Terminology

Subtractive notation is an ancient Chinese form of musical notation, specifically used to record the method of playing the guqin. It is a simplified version of the written score.

The written score is a form of sheet music that describes in detail the playing techniques and pitches of the guqin in words, but it is too cumbersome to be easily memorized and played. In order to solve this problem, the Tang Dynasty saw the introduction of fingering character sheet music, which memorized only the movements of the fingering, and in the Song Dynasty, zitherists simplified the forty indications of fingering expressed in the textual sheet music into fifty-two characters, thus giving rise to the minus-character sheet music.

The way to record the minus-character score is to divide a piece into several paragraphs, each of which is represented by a corresponding fingering. In this way, the player only needs to memorize the order of each fingering and the corresponding pitch to play the whole tune smoothly.

Subtractive scores are an important legacy of ancient Chinese musical culture, and are of great significance to the study of the history, inheritance and playing techniques of the guqin. At the same time, it is also one of the important carriers of the guqin art, which has enabled guqin music to be handed down to the present day and become part of the world cultural heritage.

Advantages of the minus clef:

1. Easy to memorize and play: Compared with the cumbersome descriptions of the written score, the minus clef records only the fingering movements and the corresponding pitches, which makes it easier for the players to memorize and play.

2. Universal: The minuscule notation has been widely used throughout history, not only in the field of guqin, but also in recording the playing techniques of other traditional Chinese musical instruments.

3. Fine description of fingerings: The descriptions of fingerings in minuscule scores are very fine, and can accurately express how each finger should move, enabling players to better master their playing techniques.

4. Historical value: The minuscule notation is an important heritage of ancient Chinese music culture, and is of great significance to the study of the history, inheritance and playing techniques of the guqin. At the same time, it is also one of the important carriers of the guqin art, which makes the guqin music to be handed down to the present day.

5. Easy to learn and practice: The study and practice of minuscule scores is relatively easy and does not require much musical foundation. This makes it possible for more people to learn and practice guqin playing skills, and promotes the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese music culture.