Demeanour

久則習與性成。如自然耳。夫十病者：
搖身動頭，一也。
目別觀視，二也。
面色變易開口努力。欲騁意氣，三地。
眼目疾據據。喘氣進退。形神散慢，四也。
年月取遠。不解聲，五也。
指法雜亂。調絃不切。聲顏不律。不盡五音。聽無真聲，六也。
節奏句度。或急或慢。自將為能。改易古音，七也。
身倒頭偏，八也。
手執繁蕪，九也。
左右手甲長。其聲乾硬。自然有悲，十也。

尤（九）不詳者。
不撫正聲，一也。
泛按失度，二也：
不調入弄，三也。
五音繁蕪，四也。
指曲不直，五也。
緩急無度，六也。
不辨吟揉，七也。
不察草草，八也。
不按法度而教人，九也。

此二者不除。雖窮年學琴。終不能使聲韻雅正。感動幽冥。雖彈亦奚以為哉。

Regarding this section, 儀式 Yi Shi, neither its date nor its authorship is clear. In addition, it begins by quoting what it calls 禮少儀 Li Shao Yi, a title that seems to suggest it is referring to 少儀 Shao Yi (Smaller rules of demeanour) from the 禮記 Li Ji (Book of Rites). However the actual passage here seems only indirectly connected to what is in 少儀 Shao Yi and it might better be described as Shao Yi applied to the qin

Here are some references:

For Yi Shi 1181.31 儀式 says 儀則式象也; .57 儀則 says 法則也, quoting 莊子 Zhuangzi (1181.115 儀禮 doesn't mention this). By itself yishi could simply mean "(style of) demeanor", but it could also mean "Rituals and Etiquette" (emphasizing the ceremonial and disciplined aspects of qin play), "protocol" or "ceremonial procedures" (focusing on formalized rules), "playing etiquette" and so forth.

For Shao Yi 7634.248 少儀 says,

Tang official rank

禮記篇名 name of the chapter called 少儀 Shao Yi (Smaller Rules of Demeanour) in the 禮記 Li Ji (Book of Rites). However, as mentioned, the text there is different from here (see in ctext as well as this further comment).

The references make no connection to the quote given here.

As mentioned, the connection of this passage to the Shao Yi in the Book of Rites might be that this passage is suggesting ways to apply lesser or "smaller rules of demeanour" to playing (and thinking about) the qin.

The passage here is also quoted under 儀式 Yi Shi in Qinshu Daquan Folio X (V/205). However, there are some textual differences throughout that passage, the main difference being that the Qinshu Daquan version omits the section discussing 十病 ten flaws.

These ten flaws are elsewhere included in lists of 十二病 12 flaws. See also 10 defects (十疵 shi ci) and compare this discussion of 12 flaws). In another list the other two flaws are:

左右手用肉多。其聲濁鈍。音韻不清。十一也。
取聲遲緩。音律不續。句度不成。調弄無味。十二也。

Before these rules, though, the passage has general comments such as to maintain a sense of reverence towards the qin whether or not there is someone around, always carry the qin in your left hand, when playing sit upright in the right position, look at your left hand, do not make unnecessary movements or tense up, but keep the energy in balance.

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Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. 太音大全集 Taiyin Daquanji Folio 4, Part 4 (QQJC 30 Volume edition I/82-83; QF/77)
See the Comment on the different editions.
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2. Explanations by translator
See comments concerning the structure of the original text.
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