The Yi Xiaosanxian (pinyin: yí zú xiǎo sān xián) is a plucked stringed musical instrument of the Yi people. It is popular in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yuxi, Simao, Baoshan and other areas in Yunnan Province.

The Yi nationality has a long cultural tradition, and folk songs and dances have been held for a long time. During traditional festivals such as the Torch Festival, Flower Arranging Festival and March Festival of the Yi Nationality, people all dress up and gather together to sing and dance. The man danced while holding the small three-stringed string, while the woman clapped her hands and stepped on the ground while dancing.

The shape of the Yi small sanxian is similar to the Han sanxian. It consists of a resonance box, a headstock, a piano rod, a peg, a bridge and a string. The specifications and sizes are different, and the total length of the piano body is 50 cm to 70 cm. The resonance box (qin drum) is mostly oblate, but it is not a perfect circle, but slightly rounder than an oval shape. There are square holes for inserting the piano rod up and down, and the two sides are covered with python skin or sheepskin.

The timbre of the Yi Xiaosanxian is soft, crisp and loud. The left-hand skills include glissando, strumming, and rubbing, and the right-hand skills include strumming, plucking, rolling, and sweeping. It can be used for solo, ensemble or to accompany folk songs, dances and Yi operas.