In Chinese traditional culture, regarding playing Gu-qin, the player should avoid six kinds of occasions:
Avoid the time of learning of someone's death; Avoid the time of crying sorrowfully; Avoid the time of being busy with something else; Avoid the time of being angry; Avoid the time of sex; Avoid the time of astonishment.
See also Seven Should-not-plays (Chinese Music)
References The Six Avoidances in playing Gu-qin is recorded in "Jing Shi Tong Yan", which is a Chinese ancient collection of novels written by Feng Meng-long (Feng Menglong) of Ming Dynasty. The Six Avoidances in playing Gu-qin is also addressed in a Chinese classical literature masterpiece "Feng Shen Bang" (Gods of Honor).
External links Chinese Music and Chinese Musical Instruments