Basic Techniques for Playing the Qin

Qin playing requires just two hands. The right is used for plucking the strings and the left for pressing on the strings. The little fingers of both hands are the “forbidden fingers” meaning that they are not to be used.

Right Hand Fingering Techniques
Illustrations from Yuguzhai Qinpu (Yuguzhai Qin Handbook)

Fingering	Illustrations
Bo: Thumb plucking inward
Tuo: Thumb plucking outward
Mo: Index finger plucking inward
Tiao: Index finger plucking outward
Gou: Middle finger plucking inward
Ti: Middle finger plucking outward
Da: Ring finger plucking inward
Zhai: Ring finger plucking outward