This modal prelude seems to have been designed to go with the melody that follows it, Han Jie Cao. As with other modes using this tuning, often called Huangzhong mode, the modal structure seems to involve shifting between tonal centers on 6 - 3 (compare Western minor) and 1 - 5 (compare Western major).

The most common tonal center here is 6 and 3, but both the prelude and the following melody end on 1 – 5. ³

 
Original Preface

 
Music
One section; timings are from my recording 聽錄音 (followed by Han Jie Cao)

00.00   1.
00.45   harmonic coda
01.02   end

 
Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Yingzhong is the 12th of the twelve tones, a major seventh above huangzhong. (Return)

2. From standard tuning lower the first string a whole step and raise the fifth string a half step. (Return)

3. (Return)

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