Students teach university dorm attendant to play guitar

A video of a student teaching a female university dorm attendant to play guitar has gone viral in China, thepaper.cn reported.

Zhang Chuanyun, 56, has been working at Wuchang Shouyi University for six years. After receiving a second-hand guitar from a student last summer, she began to teach herself how to play.

Zhang Chuanyun practices playing guitar at Wuchang Shouyi University in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

Touched by Zhang's enthusiasm, two students offered to teach her. They gave Zhang an introductory sheet music book and drew diagrams of the finger positions for her. After two months, Zhang could recognize and play simple sheet music.

After the two students graduated this year, another two students took over to become Zhang's new teachers. They gave her a newer guitar and give her lessons after class.

Zhou Fansi, head of the university's guitar association, is one of Zhang's teachers. He said although she makes slow progress, she never gives up.

"Learning guitar has nothing to do with age. Aunt Zhang is a very optimistic person, and she's willing to try new things," said Zhou.

Zhang practices when she has spare time. Her fingers have already grown calluses, and she can now play a complete song.

Her guitar lessons will continue, her teachers said.