This modal prelude seems to have been designed to go with the melody that follows it, Li Ling Si Han. However, whereas the tonal center of the modal prelude is do (1), with the secondary tonal center being so (5), the tonal center of Li Ling Si Han is la (6), the secondary one mi (3).

This ambivalence between a 1 - 5 structure (compare Western major) and 6 - 3 (compare Western minor) is also found in some melodies using the tuning 1 3 5 6 1 2 3 , also sometimes called Huangzhong. ³

 
Original Preface

None

 
Music
One section; playing time: just under 1 minute

 
Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1 Elsewhere this name is used for the tuning 1 3 5 6 1 2 3. (Return)

2 From standard tuning lower the third string a half step. (Return)

3 (Return)

Return to the annotated handbook list or to the Guqin ToC.