When playing, you can sit or stand, hang the strap on the left shoulder, the piano bar is horizontal to the chest, the piano barrel is placed on the right side of the waist, and the headstock is inclined to the upper left. The left hand holds the harp and strums the strings, and the right hand holds the plectrum.

The pick is usually made of bone or bamboo, and the length of the piece is 3 cm to 4 cm. The Miao Sanxian is generally tuned according to the relationship between the third and fourth intervals. The usual tuning is: B, d, g, and the range is B—d1. The pronunciation is crisp and bright, and the tone is soft and round. Can be used for solo, duet or to accompany folk songs and dances. He is best at playing lively, beautiful and lyrical tunes.

Miao young people often play for their own entertainment, and they often play music with multiple parts together with the local popular Miao Yueqin (also known as playing the piano).

On the first lunar month of the lunar calendar, it is also an indispensable accompaniment instrument for mass singing, dancing and entertainment in the traditional Miao "jumping the slope" activity. The Miao Sanxian is deeply loved by young unmarried men and women of the Miao family. It is an inseparable musical instrument in social life and love life. Whenever working, the girl plays the moon qin and the young man plays the sanxian. "When expressing mutual love, this form of performance, which is both counterplay and ensemble, has also concluded many happy and happy marriages.