Making Music and Enriching Lives: A Guide for All Music Teachers

Making Music and Enriching Lives fills an important niche in the very large world of books about music. It's unlike any other instructional book in the way it addresses comprehensive, across-the-board issues that affect all teachers, students, and musicians. In this book, you will find specifics not only about how to teach music, but also about how to motivate and inspire students of any age.

In this first volume of her Music for Life series, Bonnie Blanchard (with Cynthia Blanchard Acree) shares successful approaches with both students and teachers that have worked wonders in her own studio to produce successful students who are energized about their lessons and their music. These books touch on all aspects of music instruction from running a studio to student motivation and teaching technique to performing, while addressing not just the musician, but the whole person along the way.

"A unique book that goes beyond instrumental instruction to show step by step what makes a good teacher with skilled, committed students. Beginning and experienced teachers will find new tricks and inspiration here, to rekindle their love of teaching and music. Bonnie's tips and stories will show how to run a studio, motivate students, deal with stage fright, teach artistry, and involve the whole family in music. This book is serious about music, but it's also fun--something that should always be part of good music instruction." --Sir James Galway Indiana University Press

"This valuable resource can provide practical suggestions for establishing a studio atmosphere. The writing is intuitive and reveals the experiences and insights of a seasoned and experienced teacher." --American Music Teacher Indiana University Press Indiana University Press

"Blanchard's dedication is apparent, and she holds the reader to no lesser standard. With some effort, any chapter of this book could drastically improve an aspect of your teaching." --Strings Magazine

Bonnie Blanchard holds music and teaching degrees from the University of Washington. She has long been respected in the Pacific Northwest as a versatile freelance musician, yet she is best known as a dynamic instructor with unique teaching techniques that create skilled musicians with a lifelong love of music. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Cynthia Blanchard Acree is co-author (with Cliff Acree) of The Gulf Between Us: Love and Terror in Desert Storm. The dual memoir was featured as a "Today's Best Nonfiction" excerpt in Reader's Digest. She lives in San Diego, California.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Part 1. Enriching Lives

1. Transform Your Teaching Style: The Music for Life Method

2. Focus on Relationships First

3. Instill Pride and Respect

4. Show Students Your Commitment to Excellence

5. Promote a Love of Learning and Independence

6. Create an Atmosphere of Achievement

7. Attitude Is Everything

8. Make Practice a Priority

9. Increase Success with the Music for Life Notebook System

10. Energize Students with Goals

11. Recognize and Reward Results and Effort

12. Foster Happy, Confident Students

13. Host Fun Musical Events

Part 2. Making Music

14. Use Practice Tricks for Fast Results

15. Musicality Makes the Difference

16. Multiply the Fun in Chamber Music

17. Take the Fear Out of Memorization

18. Help Students Become Confident Sight Readers

Part 3. Tackling Your Toughest Teaching Challenges

19. In the Beginning

20. Make Learning Fun (and Less Painful) for Adults

21. Troubleshoot Problems and Turn around Complaints

22. Prepare Students for Performance

23. Conquer Stage Fright

24. Ace the Audition

25. When It's Time to Say Goodbye

26. Ask the Teacher

Part 4. Running Your Private Music Studio

27. Establish Your Private Studio and Develop a Business Plan

28. Get Paid What You're Worth

29. A Life in the Arts: Is It for You?

30. Make the Teacher's Life Easier

For Further Reading

Index