In music, the sound produced by the overall vibration of the string is called the fundamental tone, and the sound produced by the partial vibration of the string is called the overtone. It's the same string, but different playing techniques can produce multiple sounds with different effects. The fundamental and overtones of the same string are obvious examples. ?

In playing the guzheng, the fundamental refers to the sound produced by the overall vibration of the effective string length from the zither horse to the front mountain, while the overtones are the effective sound from the left hand touching the string point to the front mountain. The sound obtained by vibrating the length of the string. The former is full vibration of the effective string length, and the latter is partial vibration.

The playing of overtones can also be completed entirely with one hand of the right hand. This situation is more common in playing single overtones and is not suitable for playing overtone strings.

Overtones are generally played with both hands. When playing, play with your right hand and lightly touch the strings with the index finger, ring finger or little finger of your left hand. After playing, both hands immediately leave the strings.

When playing, we need to find the overtone point first. The overtone point of the guzheng is one-half, one-third or even one-quarter of the effective string length (referring to the string section between the front mountain and the bridge). Commonly used overtones are obtained halfway through the string segment.

Each guzheng is different, with different wood, string materials, different ringing, and the position of the overtones is also different. Let me explain it in detail by playing some songs.

The overtones of the "Plum Blossom Three Lanes", "Guangling San", "Xiangshan Shooting Drum" and other music we often hear are mostly taken from the one-half string section. Play here to get the note an octave higher.

The use of overtones in "Three Lanes of Plum Blossoms" brings out the small figure and noble character of the plum blossoms, making them exquisite and endearing. The overtones in "The Song of the Iron Horse" seem to simulate the sound of the collision of iron pieces suspended under the eaves, and so on. It sounds particularly light and not noisy.

In the zither piece "Hunting of the Wind", the overtones need to be played at several touching points.