On Xu Shoucheng’s Guzheng Art And Teaching Contribution

As one of the quintessential national instruments of China,the Chinese zither boasts a rich cultural heritage spanning over two millennia.Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China,higher professional music institutions were established across the nation,paving the way for the introduction of zither education in universities and colleges.Consequently,a specialized zither major was formally instituted,further solidifying the instrument’s place in China’s musical education.Among the prominent figures of the Chaozhou zither school,Xu Shoucheng stands out as a trailblazer in the teaching of zither at Wuhan Conservatory of Music.His seminal contributions in the development of the zither teaching system,along with his efforts in cultivating a generation of distinguished teachers,have laid a robust foundation for zither education at Wuhan Conservatory of Music.This research focuses on Xu Shoucheng,delving into his notable accomplishments in both the artistic and pedagogical aspects of zither playing,with a view to exploring his contributions to the evolution of this instrument.The study comprises three aspects: Firstly,through the analysis of Xu Shoucheng’s zither music repertoire,the paper highlights his artistic features.Secondly,it expounds on Xu Shoucheng’s teaching content,methodology,and teaching material development.Thirdly,it further scrutinizes Xu Shoucheng’s significant impact on the advancement of the zither art and education,particularly his influence on the establishment of the zither discipline at Wuhan Conservatory of Music and the overall progress of Chinese zither music.