Play the Lute (Hand Strums the Pipa) 手揮琵琶
Shǒu huī pí pá
How to do it
Sit back on the rear leg, left heel lightly down in front. Raise the left hand forward with the right hand near the left elbow, as though holding a pipa (Chinese lute) – both hands on the centre line.
Step by step
- Take a half step forward with the right foot behind you
- Sit back into the right leg, left heel landing lightly in front
- Raise the left hand to nose height, fingers up
- Place the right hand near the left elbow, both hands on the center line
Breathing
Inhale as you sit back; exhale as you settle the hands.
Health focus
Balance in empty stance, ankle flexibility.
Common mistakes
- Letting the front knee lock
- Hands too far apart or off center
Martial meaning
Traps and breaks an opponent's elbow between the two hands.
How it varies between styles
| Yang | Heel stance, left hand at nose height. |
|---|---|
| Wu | Appears many times between postures as a transition. |
| Sun | Called Play the Lute, done with follow-step. |
| Seated | Lift both hands in front, one ahead of the other, as if holding an instrument. |
Where it appears
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 5: Play the Lute
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 8: Hand Strums the Lute
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 12: Hand Strums the Lute
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 13: Play the Guitar (then Brush Knee again)
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 3: Hand Plays Pipa
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 10: Hand Plays Pipa
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 59: Hand Plays Pipa
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 61: Hand Plays Pipa
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 63: Hand Plays Pipa
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 66: Hand Plays Pipa
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 11: Hands Strum the Lute
Animated 2D guide (front view). The highlighted leg carries the weight, the faint trails show the path of the hands, and the cue at the top suggests the breath.
Video demonstrations 影片
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Move slowly, keep the knees soft and over the toes, and stay within a comfortable range. Every movement can be adapted for a chair.