Award-winning amateur piano players take a group photo with judges after the final contest of the piano competition in Shanghai.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Changing attitudes

However, in recent years, experts claim there has been another shift in the reasons for the popularity of the instrument－learning to play the piano as a way of self-enrichment and comprehension improvement, as well as developing persistence.

"Chinese parents－and society as a whole, nowadays－pay growing attention to the overall development of the younger generation, rather than just encouraging them to pursue academic excellence," says Zhu, who once taught internationally renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

"Music has been proven, scientifically, to make people smarter and to form aesthetic sensibilities. Even if some quit learning after a couple of years, there will be long-lasting benefits. It nurtures their character and helps them explore more about themselves and the world," she says.

Shanghai resident Zhuang Xiaohui signed her daughter up for piano classes four years ago when she was 4 years old. Despite the fact that young Wei Qiuwan far outperformed her peers in the same age group, Zhuang says that what made her happiest was that her daughter has developed a strong interest in music.

"I'll search on the internet for the sheet music of any new song we learn in the school choir, download it and practice it," says Wei.

"When I encounter difficulties, it helps me calm down."

Her mother says that the initial intention of having her daughter learn the piano－the "king of musical instruments"－was to help her grow up to become beautiful and elegant.

"My husband and I used to be 'study machines'. Looking back, we didn't have any special hobbies or skills except studying," Zhuang recalls.

"We felt it was a pity, and we didn't want our child to go through that.

"Also, ideally, we hope that she will be able to play some music and feel inspired whenever she encounters ups and downs later in life."

The experience of participating in graded tests and contests on the stage has also helped Wei gain confidence.

Zhuang says her daughter spends an hour practicing the piano every day. She does three hours daily during the summer vacation.

"Practicing is quite time-consuming, and the whole procedure helps her become more resilient and determined," Zhuang says. "It also helps her to learn to better manage her time."

Lin Aihua, a piano teacher in Lianjiang county, Fujian province, who has taught her 11-year-old son to play piano for six years, says she also believes that studying the instrument builds character.

"It may be hard for children to understand the importance of persistence and not giving up easily if we just talk about it," Lin says. "But, if they do something on a daily basis, they will gradually know what persistence means."