Guqin minus-character score, founded by Cao Rou, a qin master at the end of the Tang Dynasty, is derived from the reduction of character score. This notation method uses minus characters to spell out a certain symbol to record the fingering of the left hand and the fingering of the right hand. It is a notation method that only records the playing method and pitch, but does not record the sound name and rhythm.

Guqin, also known as Yaoqin, Yuqin, Sitong and Qixian, is a traditional Chinese musical instrument with a history of at least 3,500 years. The guqin has 13 emblems that mark the rhythm, and is also a ritual and musical instrument. It belongs to the silk in the octave. Guqin has a wide range, deep timbre and long aftertone.

The musical range of the guqin is four octaves and two tones. There are seven scattered sounds, ninety-one overtones, and one hundred and forty-seven according to sounds. The three tones of the guqin, scattered tone, overtone, and pressing tone, are all very quiet. The guqin is wide in front and narrow in the back, symbolizing the distinction between superior and inferior. The symbolic meaning of the name of the guqin shape reflects the Confucian ideology of ritual and music and the harmony that Chinese people value.

The pitch of the empty strings of the guqin is not fixed, and it depends on the music played. The tuning of the guqin is complicated, and there are as many as 35 modes. , tuned according to the pentatonic scale, with a range of four octaves and one major second. Among the stringed instruments, the guqin is a relatively unique musical instrument with a fretboard on the surface and no columns and frets. When playing, place the piano horizontally on the table, throw the strings with the right hand, and press the strings with the left to pick up the sound, completely relying on the logo mark.