Online Piano Tutors’ Motivation, Roles, and Challenges in China

Abstract

Online piano tutorials are increasingly common in online music teaching in China. Due to limited research addressing the experiences of online piano tutors in China, this study examined the motivations, roles, and challenges of online piano tutors through semi-structured interviews with 11 Chinese online piano tutors. The results revealed that based on the self-determination theory, tutors showed both intrinsic motivations and extrinsic motivations that propelled them into the line of work. They acted as instructional guides and facilitators, supporting practice and communication. Key challenges included technical issues, limited physical intervention, difficulty keeping students focused, and low parental trust. The study offers insights in digital music instruction. These findings highlight the necessity of tutor development, improved platform support, and stronger home–tutor collaboration.