[1][2] Lu learnt how to play pipa and dizi from a neighbour, who was an amateur musician, in his childhood.
He began to teach at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1957, and became Associate Professor in 1978.
[2][3] Lu was considered as a leading exponent of southern Chinese dizi (qudi) music, after 1949.
[4] His compositions include Jinxi (今昔, Today and Yesterday) and Jiangnanchun (江南春, South Yangtze In The Spring Time).
The animated short film The Cowboy's Flute which published in 1963, is soundtracked by him.