Piano learning in the context of schooling during China’s ‘Piano craze’ and beyond: motivations and pathways

Over the past three decades, piano learning has witnessed an upsurge in popularity in China. To examine why, between 2016 and 2018 ethnographic fieldwork was conducted among piano teachers, students, and parents of students. Employing the concept of piano pathway, this article tracks the relationship between piano learning and formal schooling and the range of motivations involved in learning the instrument, which are predominantly pragmatic. It discusses piano pathway turning points, where decisions about continuing to learn the instrument must be made based on the likelihood of success at the next educational stage. The study established that in addition to providing access to beautiful music, piano learning allows Chinese people to compete in society, improve their social status, create the possibility of a secure income, have freedom and creativity in their work, or enjoy a better life. In short, the piano has created new pathways for life satisfaction and success.