INTEGRATING CHINESE TRADITIONAL MUSIC CULTURE INTO PIANO TEACHING FOR EDUCATIONAL REFORM AND CULTURAL CONFIDENCE

Abstract

This article explores the necessity and feasibility of integrating Chinese traditional music culture into piano teaching as a pathway to enhance educational reform and cultural confidence in China. Historically rooted in Western pedagogy, piano education in China has long emphasized classical European repertoire while neglecting the rich resources of Chinese musical heritage. In response to increasing societal emphasis on cultural identity and national pride, integrating traditional Chinese music into piano instruction not only promotes the inheritance of cultural values but also enriches musical diversity and stimulates creative expression. This integration enhances student engagement, expands aesthetic awareness, and cultivates pianists with deeper cultural roots. The article further analyzes historical developments in Chinese piano teaching materials from early missionary-led education to modern localized and diversified curriculum designs. Practical implementation strategies are examined, including teacher training, curriculum development, textbook revision, and social support mechanisms. By bridging Western musical form with Chinese cultural content, piano education becomes a powerful tool for fostering well-rounded, culturally confident musicians and supports the sustainable development of music education in contemporary China.