What is the most commonly used instrument in Henan Opera music?

In Henan Opera, Sanxian (also called Shaanxi Sanxian) is one of the most commonly used musical instruments.

It is one of the indispensable main musical instruments in the score of Henan Opera. Sanxian has a unique timbre, which can meet the needs of Henan opera performance and provide musical support for plot and characterization.

Sanxian is a plucked instrument, which usually consists of a wooden piano box, an upright long neck, three strings and a sounding box. The piano box is usually made of poplar, and the strings are made of silk or nylon. It looks like a small piano, usually played by a player sitting in front of the stage.

In the music of Henan Opera, Sanxian mainly plays the role of accompaniment. It enhances the atmosphere and emotional expression of the stage by playing different notes and musical melodies and cooperating with the actors' singing and movements. The timbre of Sanxian is full and clear, sometimes soft and melodious, sometimes passionate and bright, which can highlight the psychological and emotional changes of the role.

In addition to being an accompaniment instrument, Sanxian has also performed well in some solo or band performances. In the music of Henan Opera, there is often a prelude called "Three-string Introduction", which is played by three-string soloists to attract the audience's attention and establish a stage atmosphere.

In Henan Opera, the playing skills and expressive techniques of Sanxian are very diverse. After long-term study and training, players can express the personality characteristics and emotional changes of different roles in Henan Opera by playing different notes, scales, intervals and phonology. Performers will flexibly use different skills and playing methods according to the development of the plot and the needs of the scene, so that the music echoes the plot and adds charm to the performance of Henan Opera.

In a word, Sanxian plays a very important role in the music of Henan Opera. It provides musical support and foil for the performance of Henan Opera through its unique timbre and rich expression techniques. It can not only highlight the emotional and psychological state of the role, but also provide the audience with the pleasure and appeal of listening.