Pedagogical Strategies for Enhancing Students' Creative Thinking Throughout the Learning Process

The development of students’ creative thinking within the modern music education system is one of the keypriorities in higher art educational institutions. Learning to play the guzheng, an instrument that embodies ancient Chinesemusical heritage, not only develops technical performance skills but also enhances students’ individuality, artisticsensitivity, and creative imagination.This article examines effective strategies for teaching guzheng performance in higher education that stimulate students’original and creative thinking. The study is based on the premise that artistic education plays a significant role in fosteringcreative development. It analyzes learning objectives, the structure of the educational process, and the nature of interactionbetween students and teachers. The author argues that incorporating improvisation, heuristic learning, reflectivemethods, and interdisciplinary integration into instructional strategies enables students to develop critical thinking skillsand personalize their musical self-expression.The research findings demonstrate that encouraging creative thinking not only makes students’ performances moreexpressive but also cultivates a conscious aspiration for artistic exploration. The study has practical significance forimproving guzheng instruction in educational institutions and for promoting the innovative development of music education.