弦鼗【英】

Xiantao 

定义

三弦的前身弦鼗，鼓的一种。鼓旁有绳系两耳，鼓上有柄，演奏时左右转动柄，两耳击鼓发声。它是秦代出现的弹弦乐器，虽然没有实物留传，但它在我国器乐史上的地位却非常高。弦鼗在两汉时期得到广泛使用，被称为“秦琵琶”。它的柄较长，音箱两面蒙皮。

Xiantao, the predecessor of the sanxian (a three-stringed plucked lute), is a type of drum with two skins, one long handle, and two ears tied to its side by ropes. When it is played, the handle is turned left and right causing the two ears to beat the drum and make sound. The instrument originated in the Qin Dynasty. Though there is no specimen existing today, it occupies a very important position in the history of Chinese musical instruments. The xiantao was widely used during the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, and was called the “Qin pipa” at that time.