The timbral aspects of guqin technique are unparalleled in stringed instruments of the world.
With over 20 different types of right hand plucking techniques and almost as many left hand
fingering techniques, the potential for timbral contrasts between notes is immense. When
listening to guqin music, the appreciation of timbral contrast is traditionally one of the most
important aspects of the music. Such appreciation of contrast can happen locally from one note
to the next or structurally - appreciating different sections of the music set in different timbral
styles. Such appreciation for timbre on this level in Western music has only been present since
the beginning of the 20th century in classical music.
Viewing the Miles Davis composition All Blues through the lens of ImproViz illustrates the contrasting melodic and harmonic styles of three musicians: Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane.