DEVELOPING A POPULAR PIANO TEXTBOOK FOR CHINESE UNDERGRADUATE MUSIC STUDENTS: AN EDUCATIONAL SCIENCE APPROACH

Abstract

The present study examines how professional piano teaching material is developed in the popular piano teaching world in the framework of higher music education in China. The study acknowledges the fact that research on it is limited and scattered, especially the lack of pedagogically rich and localised textbooks, and considers the need of the undergraduate students for practical, style-oriented piano training in accordance with the needs of the music industry. The research method adopted in this study is mixed method, which consists of extensive literature study, in-depth interview with the students, teachers and managers at the Chinese music institution, and expert assessment of the teaching materials which are produced. The findings reveal that there are some issues to be addressed in current curricula: there was no evidence of any structured improvisation training; too much reliance on western teaching models; and a mismatch between available resources and the needs of Chinese students. In response, the study created a textbook called "Curriculum-based textbook on popular music rhythm, harmony, accompaniment and creative arrangement" in order to gradually cultivate the ability of rhythm, harmony, accompaniment and creative arrangement within three styles of popular music including Ballad, Chinese Pop and R&B. It reflects the current development tendency of higher education and educational research, by providing a culturally responsive model for music education, curriculum innovation and embedding creative skill development in the undergraduate music majors training in China.