Frontiers in Art Research, 2026, 8(1); doi: 10.25236/FAR.2026.080102.
Yixiang Zhang
College of Art, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua City, Zhejiang, 321004, China
Critical thinking in music is a core competency for music majors in higher education, enabling them to integrate sensory auditory experiences with rational analysis to independently evaluate, deeply interpret, and innovatively reflect on musical works, performance practices, and artistic phenomena. In the process of preserving and innovating musical traditions, this ability serves not only as a key differentiator between "passive recipients" and "active creators," but also as the foundation for students to adapt to diverse musical environments and develop personalized artistic expressions. As a core curriculum in music education, piano pedagogy inherently provides fertile ground for cultivating critical thinking through its teaching components of musical analysis, performance practice, and art appreciation. This paper begins by defining relevant concepts to elucidate the importance of nurturing critical thinking in music. It then examines the intrinsic connection between piano education and this cognitive skill, analyzes the practical challenges in fostering critical thinking through piano instruction, and proposes strategies to enhance its educational impact. The findings aim to provide theoretical support for reforming piano pedagogy and cultivating students' core musical competencies in higher education.
piano education; music critical thinking; ability cultivation; promoting effect
Yixiang Zhang. Analysis of the Promoting Effect of Piano Education on the Cultivation of Critical Thinking in Music. Frontiers in Art Research (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 1: 7-12. https://doi.org/10.25236/FAR.2026.080102.
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