The playing techniques of the guqin, sometimes called fingerings, are more numerous than those of any other Chinese or Western musical instrument. Basic sounds The music of the qin can be categorised as three distinctively different "sounds." The first is san yin 〔散音〕, which means "scattered sounds." This is produced by plucking the required string to sound an open note . The second is fan yin 〔泛音〕, or "floating sounds." These are harmonics, in which the player lightly touches the string with one or more fingers of the left hand at a position indicated by the hui dots, pluck and lift, creating a crisp and clear sound . The third is an yin 〔按音 / 案音 / 實音 / 走音〕, or "stopped sounds." This forms the bulk of most qin pieces and requires the player to press on a string with a finger or thumb of the left hand until it connects with the surface board, then pluck. Afterwards, the musician's hand often slides up and down, thereby modifying the pitch. This technique resembles that of playing a slide guitar across the player's lap, but the technique of the qin is very varied and utilises the whole hand . According to the book Cunjian Guqin Zhifa Puzi Jilan, there are around 1,070 different finger techniques used for the qin, with or without names. It therefore uses the most finger techniques of any instrument in Chinese, or even Western, music. Most are obsolete, but around 50 or so are sufficient to know in modern practice. Nails When plucking the strings, fake nails are not desirable. One will often leave their fingernails long and cut them into an elliptical shape. The length is subjective and will depend on the player's preference but it is usually around 3 – 4 mm from the finger tip. If it is too short then the finger tip will deaden the sound as it touches the string after the nail has plucked it. If it is too long then the fingers can be cumbersome and can impede performance. Generally the nails of the right hand are kept long, while the nails of the left are cut short, so as to be able to press on the strings without hindrance. For people who have brittle fingernails the Yugu Zhai Qinpu has some methods of strengthening them. Unlike other plucked instruments such as guzheng and pipa, plectrums and fake-nails