Small sanxian Length: 95cm Tuning: A, d, a or d, a, d1
Range: A - d2
Large sanxian Length: 122cm Tuning: G, d, g
Range: G - d4 (san: three; xian: string)
The name appears popularly as Xianzi, in which zi is a diminutive suffix. Its ancestor is said to be plucked stringed instrument xiantao (a type from a rattle drum), commonly seen among the ancient people. The modern type has a resonator of padauk or red sandal, covered on both sides with python skin. Its fretless neck functions as its fingerboard. The strings are nylon coiled steel wires. Performers pluck with fingernails, generally without any plectrum. It is solid and sonorous in tone quality.
Sanxian has a structure of a wooden drum covered with a snake skin, and an extended long and smooth finger board. It has a distinctive rich and harmonious sound with great volume and wide range. When it is played at the low pitch, it sounds like an old man humming a tune; when it is played at the high putch, it sounds like a young girl singing a song.
